To be drawn to a lesser known Sanderstead rather than the more popular Epsom, Sutton, Cheam?

[commuters30]

It's a quiet spot and great for commuting, and it feels like a bit of a hidden gem given property prices still have potential to go up given it's proximity to Croydon.

But then it's a double edged sword! Being so close to Croydon... are we being a mug when we have the luxury of choice of being in other more popular places like Epsom, Cheam and Sutton?

Thoughts from locals living in these areas who can give a real every-day life comparison would be so great!

Thanks for the link!

www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/south-london-downs-new-national-nature-reserve-gives-croydon-a-property-price-boost-a129316.html

I've just found this article.

And looked at that police safer neighbourhoods link. Big thumbs up for Sanderstead (and I'm embarrassed to have suggested Chiselhurst as it not great at all).

Biggin Hill might be worth a look. Don't know it well.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60257742.html

Merstham and Redhill might suit, although they are outside Zone 6 so commuting will be pricier, this in Merstham avoids the really hairy area, you should be able to get St Bedes for secondary (much better than the Warwick school).

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61338085.html

This in Godstone (but you would have to drive for stations, and parking can be hellish around any station unless you pay) also very close to the M25 A22 roundabout.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69775480.html

Biggin hill isn’t on the rail network.

Coulsdon was always quite nice when I visited it too, although the centre is a bit meh. Amazing transport links both rail and road. Happy Valley is stunning as is chipstead valley.

Stop press, triple stabbing 1 fatality in Purley last night. Bloody Purley, ffs. WTF!

I know that pizza Express really well, used to eat in there all the time

I opened my first bank account in that Pizza Express!

OMG what?! Triple stabbing. That's like 10 mins from Sanderstead station. Oh god...

I've always been put off just by it being so near Croydon tbh but Pps have said some really positive things. I grew up in Banstead which was nice but not v useful, geographically. I'm trying to buy in Epsom atm. I already rent here and whilst I don't think it's my forever home, it suits me atm. I can tell you why, if you like, OP? I lock my doors though!

I would stay away from Sutton.

@TomHagenMakesMyBosomTremble your name is brilliant lol... yeah banstead we love but not commutable really. What do you like about Epsom? Sutton also seems OK at least less burglaries or stabbings than Sanderstead/Purley...

That's like 10 mins from Sanderstead station

Purley feels a long way from Sanderstead in reality!

Sanderstead does feel safe.

And to correct someone upthread - Sanderstead may not have pubs, but it does have licensed restaurants, and many of the sports clubs mentioned have their own licensed clubhouses. Also it is really easy to get into the South Croydon restaurant quarter which has loads of restaurants and pubs.

Oh - another point about The Ridgeway - during term time it suffers hugely from parking issues due to the proximity of Ridgeway primary school. Drop off and pick up times are very busy, and obviously whenever there is an event at the school this can happen in the evenings and at weekends too.

I don't think Purley is stabby at all, is it? Just the usual suburbia type place? And a very unfortunate thing last night?

@TomHagenMakesMyBosomTremble And why would people need to stay away from Sutton exactly?

Sanderstead is awesome I grew up there and my kids went to school there (we live in a village close by now). Schools are great for primary and for secondary you have Riddlesdown or warlingham plus several other good state and great private schools. So close to London. Croydon is a bit crap right now but Bromley is close for shopping.

I live in Sutton and love it. Low crime rate, good schools and yes, the high street needs updating but I think most high streets are struggling (and Croydon high street is now full of ghost shops and empty retail spaces)

I second Carshalton area. I'm in Wallington close by which has a good high street, library, walking distance to lovely Carshalton and big park (Beddington) which has just had a load of lottery money spent on it with the river wandle going through it. I can easily get to either Sutton or Croydon if I wanted to go shopping but it also feels enough on the outskirts that it's more 'rural'

Sanderstead is also lovely and we did also look at the area but as others have said, it lacked amenities and friends said they struggled for things to do. Purely Oaks also worth a look as similar.

We're now near park, pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, library and train stations (walking distance to all) and really enjoy it.

I have also lived in various places in Croydon (suburban Shirley to the dreaded west Croydon and Thornton Heath). I can honestly say I've never been the victim of crime (and neither have family still living there), nor seen any so it's not a given or as frequent as the papers would have you believe. We moved simply due to the schools, being able to afford a bigger house and wanted more greenery (all where we are now)

Good luck!

Caterham? I've heard of a few people moving out that way as houses are cheaper than the Sutton, Cheam areas.

Some nice houses in Caterham, but slow on the train into town.

It's surprising no one seems to be scared or worried about the Purley stabbings... when I read the news, it's almost put me off completely!

@Seeline I had no idea... is it a problem re parking there? Or actually do no one care if you have a driveway anyway?

As I said upthread I live a little further down the Sanderstead line. The Purley stabbings are absolutely shocking - I've sat at that station with my small daughter after doing pottery painting in Purley. But it's the first such incident in the time I have lived here and I don't think it's going to become typical of Purley.

Stabbings can happen anywhere. It's not a terrifying ghetto in South Croydon. It's a very very rare occurence. I've lived around here for 40 years and never seen any violence.

OP, there are certain pockets of London when there’s knife crime and stabbing happen frequently. The stabbings happening in Purley is a bit of an odd one out. You get very occasional stabbing in places like Richmond too...

I visited a lot when a child and it was a lovely place. Sorry I cannot be up to date OP.

I used to live in Hackbridge when I was in secondary school, which is very close to Carshalton and Wallingfon. It's a lovely area.
I have moved away since but my parents then moved to Kenley and are now living in Sanderstead. I think what happened Thursday night was a rarity for Purley/South Croydon.
I love visiting them though, Sanderstead is such a beautiful area and so commutable into London! I get into work in 30 minutes if stay I at theirs - it's brilliant!

Sorry posted before finishing! My mum did say that there are have been some burglaries in the area, unfortunately.
I know they're investing in an alarm system, but it is definitely a put off for Sanderstead.

OK it's good to know that it really is a rare occurrence! I suppose you're right, these things do happen everywhere (I think on the same day, something happened in Richmond too!)

Well, as Sanderstead seems to be still a lovely place to live that's very commutable - although need to be careful with burglaries so gotta get alarms and security light maybe?! - here's to hoping the mass conversion of family homes into blocks of flats won't turn this little village into a messy place to live...