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.

Cheam village was pretty wasn't it? I left the UK 12 years ago but went to Nonsuch in in the mid to late 90s - has I changed that much?
Leafy Nonsuch Park, Ewell, Epsom and surrounds were lovely.

Sutton was pretty shit even when I used to hang out there, seems like it's gotten worse. But has Cheam Village deteriorated that badly?

@AnneElliott that sounds like it I'm sure this one used to have a list from highest to lowest we was always low but I can't find the bloody website for love nor money

I grew up in Carshalton. It's nice, the ponds in the village are pretty. The areas are like all towns - they have their problems and inevitably have crime.

Most of my going out was about 10 years ago, but we went out out in Croydon and never had any issues, I always felt pretty safe. Much safer than I have walking home from work through other London boroughs.

I quite liked the multi-culturalness of Croydon and the convenience of the 15 minute train journey to Victoria/London Bridge but once a second sex-shop sprang up on my route to work, someone pointed out a brothel (looked like a beauty parlour from the distance until you noticed all the cameras), a bail hostel and a drug addicts drop-in centre, I wanted to move away. The nail in the coffin was watching a documentary about the Police’s efforts to catch a violent South London rapist and realising it was filmed round the corner.

Oh and last time I saw the Carshalton ponds they were smothered in green algae, and none too fragrant.

@Ghostontoast They are clean now lol

That’s good to know!

Cheam Village is still very nice Strokethefurrywall, I don't live in the area anymore but my favorite thing to do when I go back to visit is go to Nonsuch Park and have tea at the cafe in the mansion. The park is lovely. It isn't the most exciting area but you get the best of both worlds being so close to a lot of green space but a (theoretically at least) easy train ride to Central London. Back when I was a kid we never hung out in Sutton, we went to the Kings Road and High Street Ken to shop etc as a travel card was pretty cheap. That was a long time ago though!

I'm actually fairly shocked about how many posters live in Sutton it's nice to know it's not just me Haha!

The ponds and church really are a gem, would love to live near that part of Carshalton, especially since the train connections to both Victoria and Blackfriars and tube not too far. But we cant find a house around there, there isnt that much on the market.

I haven't been to Croydon for years so can't comment. I know some people who live in Sutton and I just find it grim and soulless. I hate to say it but there seems a lot of white van man/geezer types. I can't comment on the crime stats as I think our borough is way worse!

Cant say much about Carshalton but always thought it was a bit for lack of a better word, dull?? possibly a bit gods waiting roomy? the park is lovely though and I can vouch the pond used to be clean I fell in it once also I work at the hospital and can say it has a massive refurb and is marginally nicer!

I used to live in Croydon and for the life of me couldn't think where Norbert was Fairy!

*But the centre of Croydon is a shithole, as it is endlessly waiting for redevelopment by Westfield, which looks increasingly unlikely to ever happen(

It is happening. They've started the demolition already.

Brilliant state schools in Sutton Borough, both Grammar and non-selective. It’s a far cry from Richmond, but try South Sutton, Belmont, Cheam... and avoid Sutton High Street! I have lived in the area for over 6 years and have never witnessed any crime or notable incidents, but the centre does have a bit of an odd vibe to it that makes me feel a little uneasy.

Ooh if you ever go into Carshalton there's a coffee shop called Sassi's they do the best Vanilla latte I've ever tasted in my life. I haven't had one for a long time because I no longer go that way but heard they still do them amazing

Generally I think Sutton is better than Croydon. Sutton has good schools and some nice properties but a tatty high street. There are some nicer parts but they are pretty boring.

Croydon has good transport links, parts of it such as "The Heath" are indeed rough & have got rougher. Again some nicer parts but they too are pretty boring.

Is Mayday hospital still referred to by locals as Maydie?

We have family in Croydon (South Croydon, therefore 'naice'). Genuinely we struggle to find somewhere to go out for dinner (if we are ever allowed out on one of our visits! ) Not looking for The Ritz, but a something Pizza Expressy or a Tapas place or similar.

Strikes me that the lifestyle is commute into London then hide away a bit on your nice street and avoid actually going on the local high street.

Would be over the moon to be told I'm wrong here as would love somewhere South Croydon based to get a glass of wine and a bit of garlic bread!

fancyNancyClancy all of my DCs were born there and me and all three of them would not be alive without their care so not in this house.

Although I will never, call it by it's name of Croydon University Hospital, just as DH will never call a marathon a snickers

Is Mayday hospital still referred to by locals as Maydie?

I've never heard it called that.

But you've heard the nickname Chartreuser ?

Genuinely we struggle to find somewhere to go out for dinner (if we are ever allowed out on one of our visits!grin ) Not looking for The Ritz, but a something Pizza Expressy or a Tapas place or similar.

Seriously? Las Fuentes in both Purley and Selsdon, actual Pizza Express in Purley, multiple restaurants in South Croydon... I can't believe anyone would have trouble finding a restaurant.

Well I'm a 80s child and that's what my friends from Upper Norwood, TH, SN, Purley, etc call it.

Yes, heard of the nickname. Although hear it far less now, it's A&E has had a massive fancy pants upgrade and there's now a Moorfields insure. Sadly for many specialties it's just a satellite of St Georges