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!

LBCroydon is being absolutely gung ho about shoving flats in places that would never have been permitted previously. There is a strong feeling that the current administration (Labour) gives zero fucks about the Tory voting south of the borough (including Purley and bits like Sanderstead). Hence the ongoing battle over the Purley Baptists plans to shove a 17 storey block of flats in the middle of Purley.

But neighbouring Tandridge (Tory) is equally committed to overdeveloping bits like Caterham and Warlingham. The truth is nowhere is exempt from the pressure to build more housing, and flats make developers lots more money than dreary old houses.

The problem is all boroughs are under pressure to meet target numbers for new homes. Where they contain areas of green belt (like Tandridge) the lazy option for planners is to allow houses to be converted into flats. Ta-dah, more homes (even if in places like Caterham and Warlingham there is limited demand for flats and a much greater demand for houses).

Hell yes. Tons of new flats remain unsold a good year after completion. Some were office conversions, but not all. Gives me the rage.

Tandridge is particularly challenged being 94% green belt. Highest in the country.

Is it all that bad though? Given how spacious roads are, putting a new block of flats (as long as they look decent from the outside) then it's not that bad now when I think about it.

The only problem is obviously high rises which are definitely out of character.

It's not so great when it happens next to you!

@MrsBertBibby oh no has it happened next to you?! Yes that must be awful... did you find the construction noisy and disruptive, or is that temporary and the main pain being the cars and people?

OP, I wouldn’t like it on my road at all. It’s full of detached houses with owner-occupiers raising their families here long term. There is a very strong sense of community with neighbours taking turns to invite everyone for a cuppa, we’ve got a busy WhatsApp group and people look out for each other. If suddenly houses got turn into flats and filled with renters, the road would completely lose its character. Luckily, the local coucil is reluctant to allow a bungalow to be replaced with a bigger house and definitely no conversions around here.

Every time this thread refreshes I go on Rightmove to check out Sanderstead, Whyteleafe, Carshalton et al and wish to god above that this question had been posted at least 6 months ago.

And to think we looked at Croydon but rejected it as we weren’t confident the endemic issues it has would be improved upon any time soon.

Didn’t realise there was a whooooooooole massive area just south of it we could have looked at

In the interests of balance, yes there are a number of Red Tories in LBC, but the Tory MP also happens to be rather fond of property development as he owns a property development investment & finance company.

Sanderstead has a good train service. Trains are full in rush hour but you can sometimes get a seat at East Croydon when Croydon commuters get out. Not often in the morning but usually in the evening. Trains also go to Victoria. As other posters have said, Purley Oaks is a short distance from Sanderstead station so it is another option. I like Carshalton Beeches but have never lived there. Often surprised to see negative comments about Croydon and Sutton on here. Not from people who have lived in either place (eg person who moved to Yorkshire for the pubs) but from people who clearly have very limited knowledge. Both Croydon and Sutton have very leafy parts, a mixture of good and not so good schools (tho' the schools with the best results in Croydon are private) and good train links.

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut but based on what people are saying here though, I don't think you necessarily made the wrong move!

Even in the south of croydon, it sounds like there's a pretty big problem of (1) burglary and (2) homes converted into flats.

p.s. glad this is turning into a lively and practical debate about south croydon, it's surprisingly difficult to get especially as estate agents never say anything remotely helpful..