Possibly very stupid/offensive question but please help a non-British person out?

[LobeliaBaggins]

Not British and new-ish to the UK and to London. I want to attend a monthly group that meets in East Croydon from 7 to 9 pm monthly. I mentioned this to a friend, and she was horrified and thought it would be unsafe to be there at night. I will be going by the Tube.

I think I should be fine, given I don't dress flashily or carry expensive stuff? ( My friend is a bit posh) I don't mean to offend anyone who does live there, so please forgive me if this is a stupid question. I travel all around London but unfamiliar with Croydon.

Croydon is fine, it is an ordianary London suburb. The town centre can be a little busy in the evening but it is similar to any town centre, it really isn't dangerous. Just take the same precautions you would anywhere in a big city - keep your valuables safe, make sure you walk in well lit areas. East Croydon station is a veyr busy and well lit station with frequent train services.

If you need to travel around the town centre there is a very good tram service that stops just outside East Croydon station.

Just an FYI you won't be getting the tube to East Croydon as it doesn't have a tube station. You need to get an train from London Bridge or Victoria station.

The London Overground service stops at West Croydon station, which is what you might be thinking of?

You are absolutely right, it's the Thameslink from London Bridge to East Croydon that I will be taking. Thank you! I will carry on then.

Personally I did not/do not like the place. Lived there about 5 years but it is true that anywhere can be dodgy given the right circumstances. Make sure you know where you want to go and appear confident. I also used to live near Peckham and often came home late at night. Nothing happened to me but there was always something mentioned in the South London Press!!

My Aunt lived in South Croydon and I was glad she got out of there!

Croydon is fairly unpleasant but you’ll be fine, millions live and go there, and are fine.

I will try not to look at Google maps too obviously:)

It's not going to win any awards for most attractive town centre but it is not especially unsafe.

Croydon has gone downhill since I left.

@Deathraystare it depends which part of South Croydon you are talking about. Anywhere between South Croydon Station and Selsdon, anywhere near Lloyd Park, any road with Croham in it is very expensive and pretty upmarket.

I use West Croydon station and the area around there is pretty tatty these days.

I will just be walking straight to the group, which meets in a church hall, and then leaving by 9 pm or so. Not walking around in this weather! So the unattractive town centre doesn't bother me.

You'll be fine OP, you may be able to get a tram back to the station as well.

I think this is a sensible question and not at all offensive OP!

You may well find someone at the group who you can go with too. Feel free to contact them first.

When I lived in London I lived in Tower Hamlets and went to a group further East. One of my friends would meet me at the station to make sure I was safe. Nothing bad ever happened but its good to be safe.

Can you share your Google Maps location with your friend? Just an idea! X

Tulse Hill here. I often used to walk home alone at night and my mother had fits over it. 'Get a taxi!' she said. What, south of the river at that time of night? 😅

Ah, the South London Press. Read that and you'd never venture out alone at night ever again. I see it's still going.

I do not like the place at all (although I haven't lived anywhere near it for 15 years now). I imagine it will be busy, so you will be relatively safe - but I would be very careful anyway. It's not really about looking flashy or carrying something expensive looking. Everyone has a phone that can be stolen and other bits and pieces on them. You are a woman (I'm assuming) so you are vulnerable to sexual assault/rape. Sally Anne Bowman was raped and murdered in Croydon when I lived round there. Yes, it was later on than the time that you will be out, but frankly and I sorry if people find this offensive, I really dislike Croydon and avoid going back at all costs.

How far from station and which way? Towards West Croydon probably less safe than others.

It's Croydon not Kyiv @Btjdkfnn

I still have family in Croydon (OK, in the posher part), but I find it so depressing the way the town centre has gone downhill. I remember when people used to travel up from Brighton to shop in the Whitgift Centre.