Relocating to Surrey ( sutton/cheam, purley, south croydon in general )

[Yufnkc]

Hi all

I would really appreciate some insight into particular area i've mentioned. We currently live in Merton, Mitcham Eastfields with our 2 DD 4 and 2. Eldest is at a local state nursery which is underperforming in all key areas, many of the children in her class don't speak English as a first language and she often tells me that some of the other children don't speak.

the main reason for a move would be better schools and we have had our eye on sutton high school, we are leaning towards independent schooling only because sutton high is commutable from where we area and the state schools near us arent great.
If we were to move i would ideally like to have at least one option of both a good state and independent.

Ive been reading a lot of posts on sutton and whilst the schools are great the area isnt rated highly in general as a nice place to live which is making me reconsider everything!!!

Growing up i never heard good things about croydon, it had a rough reputation and sutton just seemed forgotten, i vaguely remember skipping school to hang out there as i was less likely to get noticed!!

would love to hear from people who currently live there so i can try and figure what im doing with schools and life lol!

[Quartz2208]

I live in Stoneleigh (very close to Cheam) and really like it but not sure on size of your house as most are 3/4 bed semi or detached 1930s houses. The state schools are good and can get to Sutton High (DD knows people there) and we are close to the Sutton Grammars (where DD goes)

Cheam is also very nice villagey feel.

[treesandrocks]

Sanderstead near Purley is excellent for young children, with several outstanding primaries, parks, woods etc. The area is full of families and the elderly mainly, as the village has a covenant banning pubs but there are plenty of restaurants. There are also private schools in Selsdon nearby (Croydon High), Caterham or Woldingham. The only supermarket is Waitrose but there are lots of others within 2 miles.

There is an outstanding secondary (Riddlesdown) but the area might be a bit dull for teens. Otherwise it's a great area for bringing up younger children.

Avoid Warlingham (and maybe Croydon).

[Yufnkc]

@Quartz2208 thanks stoneleigh is somewhere ive looked at as ive read its in the catchment area for a few good schools. my only concern would be transport links is there a nearby station?

[Quartz2208]

Stoneleigh was built in the 1930s around the Epsom to Wimbledon to London railine so you are never more than a 15 minute walk from it. Its 30 minutes to Waterloo. Schools are good - easy to get to Sutton High School.

Most housing stock is the same though so if you want a 3-5 bed semi detached house!

[purpleunicorn59]

NO to Sutton and South Croydon. I've worked in both and absolutely hated it.

Sutton high street is shockingly shit and Croydon has the highest crime rate in London.

Cheam is quite nice if you like a quiet area.

[Needallthesleep]

If you have two DD have you thought about New Malden? In the catchment of the outstanding all girls state school (Coombe Girls).

[KindergartenKop]

What about the New Malden side of Kingston or Norbiton? On the 213 route into Sutton.

[Quartz2208]

also @Yufnkc I would say Stoneleigh is an interesting place in that pretty much everyone knows everyone else - so the broadway is the shopping street and I know a lot of the shop owners/hairdressors etc. The library is volunteer run and we know all of them. When you go for your lockdown walks you always see people you meet and talk to. We have a coffee shop and pizza place where we know the owners etc. The streets have whats app groups and arrange things (when allowed). V Day bank holiday people came into there gardens etc.

If you like and want that it is great. If you dont then definitely avoid!

[Chatty987]

I’m familiar with all the paces you mention and would make a strong suggestion of looking into Oxted or Hurst Green in East Surrey. Much nicer, great community, excellent primary schools. Fast train into London. House prices similar if not less than the places you mention but SO much nicer. High schools perhaps more limited but there are the Kent grammars and lots of private near by.

[Chatty987]

Sanderstead is quite nice too but I prefer Oxted. Ive lived in South Croydon and I think it’s expensive for what you get compared to slightly further out and I moved from there to not have my kids being close to Croydon. All this talk of Croydon being invested in and improving...ignore. I used those lines as a reason to sell my house and move away.

[Yufnkc]

Hi all thank you so much for the responses sorry I've not had a chance to get back on and reply sooner.

To be honest I'm so used to London life I love the madness of it but my husband is quite keen on having a more quiet suburban environment and finding a midpoint is proving quite hard! Don't really want to venture further out into Surrey tbh. I used to work in Oxted it was lovely and commutable but too quiet for me.

Will have a look at new Malden might be a good alternative. I'm also thinking stay where I am. The state schools are awful but if we stick to Sutton high then it's only 3 stops on the overground

[Chatty987]

The problem with suburbia (e.g. which I consider South Croydon, Purley to be) is you're in no man's land. It's just houses and not much community feel imo. A lot of the nice houses in Purley are being turned into flats and families moving further out. The house prices are expensive as people think they're closer to London but you don't really get the best of any world...mediocre high streets with just a costa. I'm familiar with Mitcham and I think you're doing the right thing with moving out.

[Quartz2208]

I would say Chatty987 (if you see my post) that isnt true of Stoneleigh at all. It has a real community feel partly because I think it is actually quite small! It does have its pluses and minuses. I am facebook friends with the butchers, bakers, estate agents, hairdressors and the boutique owner. Most people know each other (although there is a divide depending on what side of the station you live!)

[BendingSpoons]

Carshalton is nice and on the Thameslink so easy to get back to where you are now. Sutton has some nice bits along with some uninspiring bits. Generally it has lots of good schools. I live locally with young children and would recommend it! If you are used to Mitcham Eastfields, you are presumably happy with more 'gritty' places (I hope that doesn't offend!) and might like the advantages somewhere like Sutton offers in terms of the transport links, decent range of shops etc. The high street is pretty good imo. They have developed a lot at the bottom end with a fancy Sainsbury, fountains etc and have money for further redevelopment. Plus a decent range of useful shops, rather than fancy overpriced boutiques some centres offer

[BendingSpoons]

Oh and in response to 'suburbia', we know 5 sets of our neighbours well, and others locally to say hi to. I have other local friends from Pilates and through my child's school. Moving with young children can definitely help you get to know people in the community.

[pointyshoes]

@Quartz2208

I would say Chatty987 (if you see my post) that isnt true of Stoneleigh at all. It has a real community feel partly because I think it is actually quite small! It does have its pluses and minuses. I am facebook friends with the butchers, bakers, estate agents, hairdressors and the boutique owner. Most people know each other (although there is a divide depending on what side of the station you live!)

This brings back memories. My grandparents moved to Stoneleigh in the 30s as a young married couple - a brand new house beyond their wildest dreams. They picked Stoneleigh because it was the closest station to London where my GF could afford the season ticket to London. They stayed there many many years and I have very fond memories of visiting them, and their lovely neighbours. They both passed away a long time ago, and I’d forgotten about Stoneleigh. (Sorry, not really relevant to thread at all)

[Deathraystare]

My family moved away from Croydon so don't go there. HUUUUUGE estates full of 'troubled' families, loads of empty office buildings, crap schools (unless you go private).

Only good thing about the place - The market - unless the council have finally got rid of it. It was one of the oldest ones going.

I emphasise that It is just Croydon I am talking about. I lived in Shirley (near East Croydon) and my aunt lived in South Croydon. Neither were nice places. We had an estate up the road. Most of the kids went to my school. Shit school. Where my aunt lived there were several 'hotels' and the police were there most nights. I believe they were filled with asylum seekers. Well, Lunar House not so far away where they go when they seek asylum.

Before anyone gets over excited about me mentioning asylum seekers, i have witnessed the police cars and arrests down my aunt's road, there are of course also the local element who were into drugs/drink/knifings etc etc.

So glad when we all moved!

[Chatty987]

Never heard of Stoneleigh so can't opine on that I'm afraid. Agree with Deathraystare re Croydon.

[SoupDragon]

My family moved away from Croydon so don't go there. HUUUUUGE estates full of 'troubled' families, loads of empty office buildings, crap schools (unless you go private)

None of that is relevant as the OP specifies South Croydon.

[LloydColeandtheCoconuts]

I'd avoid Sutton and Croydon. I used to live in Sutton and hated it. I felt so out of place. They're also a bit rough, especially Croydon. I also lived in Carshalton which is smaller but I really like it, very picturesque. People seemed friendlier too. I once got a friendly grin from the late Windsor Davies. He used to live in Carshalton Beeches which is even smaller but very nice.
I used to go to Nonsuch High School a really good school but I wasn't academic so lazy so had a terrible time. I had friends who lived in Stoneleigh and it was just a sea of mock Tudor houses. Total suburbia.

Someone upthread mention the 213 bus. I have memories sitting upstairs coming home from school. Stinking of cigarettes because everyone smoked up there!

[Teakind]

I'd avoid Croydon and Purley as I don't think either of them are nice places.

You've ruled out Oxted as it's too quiet but what about somewhere like Reigate? I appreciate it's further in to Surrey then you would like but it has a great high street and is a lovely place to raise a family.

[Teakind]

Forgot to say, I really dislike Sutton too. It just feels grey and gloomy there to me.

[Deathraystare]

None of that is relevant as the OP specifies South Croydon.

Well I did go on to mention SOUTH Croydon, pedantic pants.

[SoupDragon]

🙄

[Chatty987]

Reigate is great shout @Teakind. It's probably the best place mentioned out of all of the above (Stoneleigh aside as I don't know it)!

Re South Croydon, clearly it is separate to Croydon, but it's only a couple of miles away and I'd just be worried that my kids when older would want to hang out there. It would be too tempting for them being that close. You'd also need to go there from time to time for shopping, essentials, etc and it really is depressing. It will take decades for it to really change sadly.