To wonder why Croydon/Sutton get so much negativity

[Dobdebdop]

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.

TBH I've not seen Wizard Man for a few years. Poor cat :-(.

Thanks for info on Sutton Jesus.

Never seen the guy on the unicycle either.

I don't know Croydon at all really but have heard good things about Box Park and know it has some lovely residential areas too.

This was Box Park in the World Cup. It was on national news

I worked in Sutton and went to college in Croydon for a while back in the late 90s, early noughties. Sutton was suburban and boring, and Croydon was just horrible. Mind you I lived for a while in Morden, now that really was fucking grim! I remember Carshalton ponds used to be pretty, but wasn't there a really dodgy gangland pub there? I think it got closed down. Or am I getting mixed up with the equally notorious St Helier Tavern? Happy days, but I'm glad I live a million miles away now!

I'm loving the number of posts that go along the lines of 'I lived in Sutton/Croydon 10/20 years ago. Everyone was boring or in a gang. I live a million miles away now but still know nothing has changed.'

They are both London boroughs. Like basically the rest of London there are dodgy bits and lovely bits. There are some less than ideal residents and a majority of normal people living their lives. But it's trendy to stereotype entire boroughs like you know every street. Hackney = trendy now, scared me when I went out there about 5 years ago. Kensington & Chelsea = posh, sadly has tower blocks like Grenfell too. Haringey = deprived, but contains Highgate and Hampstead Heath.

OP you probably gave up on this thread a long time ago. Good luck with the move if you decide to do it. Always happy to answer PMs about Sutton if it helps.

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 He is sat outside Shinner and Sudtone most evenings at about 6pm.

I remember in the early 90s Battersea, Clapham and Balham were still regarded as rough.

And Brixton! We used to be nervous driving through it in the 90s. My dad said it was really posh in the 50s and its becoming that again now. Places change all the time.

Peckham, anyone? I remember when you absolutely would NOT walk around a dodgy car park in the evening, now it's got an outdoor cinema on top of it 🙄. Places change. That's the whole point, and basically why Clapham isn't a shithole any more.

I expect the extortionate house prices may account for many of these areas becoming gentrified now.

Parts of Clapham, Balham, Brixton have always been nice just like parts of Sutton & Croydon have.

It's swings and roundabouts. As places become more desirable, the house prices go up and the high street changes to reflect the new demographic. They can't increase in a bubble as no one would buy. Being next to a desirable area (so getting the overflow), new amenities (transport links, shopping centre), and people being forced out of other areas all generally have a positive impact on property prices.

I think the weird thing about Sutton is how little it’s changed, it’s had good schools & nice houses etc since I was young & is pretty affordable.

still pretty affordable

I lived in Camberwell, Peckham, Brixton, Clapham and Wandsworth in the 90s and they were far scarier than Croydon's ever been. Croydon is on a similar transition to what they went through in the 2000s. Gang culture will always exist in London, as in all big world cities, but it doesn't generally affect day to day life if you're not part of it, nor the inevitable gentrification that ripples out from the centre.

I live in Wallington and I bloody love it. Just come back from the Wallington music festival which was awesome as usual despite the weather! Can't beat us Wallies for our indomitable spirit!!

We've got a new murial

Ooh, where's that?

It's the food festival next weekend, which is always worth a trip to South End.

It's under the Sussex Road railway bridge by the beauty place

Ooh thanks re food festival, DH and DC3 camping so I'm solo with other two and don't drive, am sure they'll come out for it

Nice. I love the street art in Croydon - with the exception of the weird baby doll thing by the BHF shop.

Also whoever said they were moving to Carshalton Beeches -Stennings bakery and coffee lounge is amazing. Although I have to say that because my friends own it

@Cactuar

Tell them to sort out their bread range... I think they were going to work on a nice sourdough? They did bring out a Scandinavian rye a while back, got me very excited but the saltiness made it inedible!
They could do with a little refurb to make the interior less dull, too... (not all bad, though, and I’m there weekly).

@Cactuar That was me, thank you! I’ll check it out, it’s day four and settling in nicely so far! It’s lovely round here.

I only just discovered this thread - gutted! Hope it's still somewhat active...

We saw some lovely houses in Sanderstead particularly around Arkwright Road, Ewhurst road and the Ridge Way.

These seem to be quite far from Sanderstead high street. It's also far enough from Thornton Heath etc.

So while I know some of you say it's nice in Sanderstead, what about the roads I mentioned given they aren't really in the centre of Sanderstead?

Also I read of moped muggings, burglaries into homes, people driving around in balaclavas. Even if Sanderstead is OK, would you say it's safe for an evening stroll? Is it a place where the walk to the train station would be met with anti social youths or teens or muggings?

Sorry if I'm being dramatic but I'm so excited to find people who actually know the area so ever so grateful for your thoughts!!!!!!!

8 month pregnant 26 year old was stabbed to death this morning in Thornton Heath. Baby was delivered at the scene and is 'critical' in hospital. Poor, poor woman.
news.sky.com/story/pregnant-woman-fatally-stabbed-in-croydon-south-london-11751577