Purley/South Croydon/Sanderstead a good place for a family?

[Linguaphile]

Not sure if this is the best place to post, but hoping someone can help! We are currently living near Twickenham and, with baby number 3 on the way, are completely priced out of our area for a proper size house (our budget is around 400k, whereas a good size 3 or 4 bed family home costs in excess of a million pounds . I've been looking toward Purley as it seems a lot cheaper but still a nice green area with good commuter links into London. Can anyone tell me what it's like living there with children? Is it a good place to invest, in terms of capital gains and/or rental potential if we were ever to move? How about toddler groups and shopping?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

[eurochick]

We live slightly further out but near there (whyteleafe/warlingham).

We moved there to get more space for our money. I think it is a good area for children. There are lots of green spaces, easy access to the countryside and things like Godstone Farm. It's a good area for food shopping (supermarkets and some independent bakeries, etc). Less so for clothes, although that should improve when Croydon is redeveloped.

[Linguaphile]

Thanks, that's helpful. What are commuter links into the city like in Whyteleafe and Warlingham? Fast/direct trains? Still zone 6?

[Linguaphile]

Anyone else?

[dontcallmelen]

Hi I would agree with pp warlingham is lovely, parts of purley are very very busy, traffic a nightmare so would look more towards warlingham/sanderstead/bansted areas rather than purley south croydon.

[Lozzamas]

I'm in South Croydon. It's great for kids - plenty of open spaces, good schools, large shopping centre just a bus ride away in either Croydon or Bromley etc. I commute to London daily 20 mins from South Croydon station to Victoria or London Bridge. East Croydon similar - although wouldn't live on that side of the Borough. South Croydon, Selsdon, Sanderstead - all fine. Purley OK but a bit congested due to major road intersections and rat runs as a result. Warlingham, Kenley also good.

[foobio]

Can't be much help as we don't have children yet, but hoping you get positive responses as we moved down here for the same reasons (albeit before children!)

Commute is fantastic, 19 mins on the fastest quick train from Sanderstead to London.

Shopping wise there are some local independents and a choice of large supermarkets, but generally need a car (or delivery) which may be different to Twickenham. For clothes etc I have found Croydon surprisingly convenient.

There are plenty of parks and open spaces to choose from, and many houses have a reasonable garden too.

Couple of things we found when searching this area; if noise bothers you, there are some busy roads and railway lines which can be heard a few streets away ( but most likely quieter than Twickenham anyway! ) and the area is quite hilly in places, so maybe explore the area on foot to get a feel for it!

Good luck!

[Linguaphile]

This is great, thanks! Looking at a place in Upper Warlingham/Whyte,ease quite close to the stations. What's that specific area like? Good big parks within walking distance? Any mums/toddlers groups?