Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why Croydon/Sutton get so much negativity

383 replies

Dobdebdop · 10/06/2019 16:35

Me and dh are looking to move from our current house and our currently house hunting in these two boroughs. We are seeking to be able to go mortgage free so I can start a business.

When we brought this up to family and friends, many sounded absolutely horrified at the idea.

When viewing properties we found most of these areas to be pleasant and absolutely fine. The high streets in both are a bit shabby but Central London is less than 30 mins for shopping so we can just go there.

I dont understand why there is so much negativity to this part of South London, I don't know much about this area but my impression is that it was an absolutely fine place to live.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 12/06/2019 19:33

ChristopherTracy that made me laugh. I cannot think of a more peaceful and beautiful place in London than Carshalton Ponds and the Honeywood Museum.

BendingSpoons · 12/06/2019 19:48

ChristopherTracy Grin The gangs of ducks on the ponds can be a bit intimidating at times (truthfully!)

There was a riot in Sutton Sainsburys today. The woman in the cafe said there was a 30 minute wait for hot food. Two people walked out in disgust. I was very relieved I had put my stab vest on, just in case things got messy.

Doman · 12/06/2019 20:46

@ChristopherTracy @NewModelArmyMayhem18 @BendingSpoons Carshalton Ponds? Terrifying :)

To wonder why Croydon/Sutton get so much negativity
LBOCS2 · 12/06/2019 21:05

The most terrifying thing about Carshalton Ponds is driving past them in a large car with a bus approaching you...

BendingSpoons · 12/06/2019 21:28

LBOCS2 especially when the barrier has been knocked down again!

StCharlotte · 12/06/2019 22:09

The most terrifying thing about Carshalton Ponds is driving past them in a large car with a bus approaching you...

It used to be the 403 - very handy when I lived in Cheam and then boyfriend lived in Warlingham.

MitziK · 12/06/2019 22:32

The worst thing about Carshalton Ponds is being there when it's pissing down with rain/snowing/sleeting in the evening. It took 45 minutes to get from Carshalton Station to outside the Cryer because nobody was capable of making the turn without panicking and super assertive drivers coming from the St Phil's direction were blocking the damn road. I was heartily sick of the 157 by the time I finally got off the thing.

The 407 doesn't have quite the same fear factor as the doubledecker X26 on a mission, though.

Did the dip under the Wallington Station bridge flood this Monday? And if it did, were there the usual daft drivers trying to get through it, not realising just how deep it gets?

beaveringaways · 12/06/2019 23:00

I live in Sutton and no many other places can boast of their own Wizard (a quick google will bring up a few news articles!)

daisydoooo · 12/06/2019 23:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bollocksitshappenedagain · 13/06/2019 05:37

@MitziK

No they fixed drains so no flooding since 'the big one!'

Doesn't stop everyone asking on fb though!

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 13/06/2019 06:20

beaveringaways- I've seen him! The first time, when the DC were in full Harry Potter phase, I thought I was dreaming. It was the cat sitting on his shoulder (as he was strolling down theroad) that really impressed me!

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 13/06/2019 14:59

I love spotting Wizard Man! Esp if he has the cat with him! That is a very well behaved cat. I still miss Sutton Jesus Sad

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 13/06/2019 15:44

I know not of Sutton Jesus - tell me more please DSHathaway.

Mirali · 13/06/2019 19:38

In about the 80s he used to dress in white robes and carry a big wooden cross on his back.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 13/06/2019 19:44

Sutton has the wizard ... but Kingston/New Malden has Moses

anitagreen · 13/06/2019 21:19

I saw wizard man yesterday outside St Helier no cat but he was waiting for the bus! His name is Conrad Grin

Toothlessismyspiritanimal · 13/06/2019 22:04

BigSandyBalls - I live in Sutton and know both the Wizard and Moses as I used to work in Kingston. I recall being shouted at by Moses several times when he was having a particularly ranty phase.

The Wizard appears non-shouty (probably so as not to disturb the cat) and can often be found in Morrisons Grin

Titsywoo · 13/06/2019 22:52

It makes me laugh reading some of these comments about Croydon like it's the bloody ghetto or something Grin

I lived in Croydon for over 30 years and now live just outside the borough in Surrey. The centre of Croydon has gone downhill yes but in the 90's it was lively and buzzing with great shopping and a brilliant nightlife. The tram being introduced in 2000 or whenever it was seemed to be a big problem as it brought in a lot more people from less nice areas (New Addington from example - and yeah I can slag it off as my whole family is from there Wink). I still feel safe going there although it's a sad old place and I know crime has increased. I've never experienced gangs or anything like that! I tend to shop elsewhere (Bluewater or London) but if they build Westfield I'll go back no issues.

tigertiger10 · 13/06/2019 23:06

I grew up in LB Sutton. Supremely boring place full of smug, judgey, parochial people. All the drawbacks of London with none of the good bits. It doesn’t seem to have changed.

Kpo58 · 13/06/2019 23:11

The Sutton Wizard is still there, but I don't think that he still has a cat. I've never seen him with one.

I'm always impressed with the guy who unicycles down Sutton highstreet (it's quite a steep hill).

ChevalierTialys · 13/06/2019 23:16

I grew up in all over Croydon but mainly Norbury (north Croydon), which was pretty rough at the time, but as I understand it a lot of money is being put into redevelopment at the moment. Have lived in various areas of Sutton for the last few years. So I know loads about both areas. Like every borough, there are nice and not-so-nice areas.

Croydon town centre is looking tired because the leases on all the shops are slowly being terminated/allowed to run out in preparation for the new Westfield. The buildings around St George's Walk are being revamped as we speak. The Box Park has had a fantastic impact on East Croydon and the surrounding area it's a great place to go. Who ever mentioned a lack of restaurants - that is actually laughable! You've been walking around the wrong parts, clearly! South Croydon in particular is literally packed with restaurants. The south of the borough in general is leafy and lovely.

The Council are actually trying to tackle the problems. Some of the schools are really outstanding. Thinking of Riddlesdown Collegiate and the Harris academies.

Sutton has its nice areas too. Carshalton Beeches and Wallington are lovely areas. Who ever made negative comments about St Helier - you can thank Jeremy Hunt for the state the hospital is in, for continuously cutting their budgets and shutting departments. The staff still try their damn hardest.

ChevalierTialys · 13/06/2019 23:21

@fancynancyclancy I went to the blue orchid! It's part of the redevelopment now :)

ChevalierTialys · 13/06/2019 23:42

@Kpo58 the Sutton Wizards cat sadly passed away a few years ago. It was in the paper.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 14/06/2019 02:10

I thought Wizard Man had replaced the cat? Oh wow, I must've been imagining the cat when I've seen him occasionally recently! I've never seen unicycle man but that has brought back fond memories of learning to drive in the residential streets of Sutton and encountering a man in full Victorian get up out for a cycle on a penny farthing!

Sutton Jesus believed he really was Jesus, I think. He certainly had the Jesus look!