To not move to South Croydon even though it could be the best investment decision ever?

[commuters30]

We were thinking of moving to South Croydon for its great commute, relatively quiet and not rough like central Croydon, and the likely jump in value of properties in the future (from general ongoing development of Croydon but also if the Westfield scheme ever takes off).

But now we are thinking we should stay in Surrey where we are because actually there's nothing wrong with where we are. We are familiar with the hospitals, where to buy groceries, all our surrounding areas for weekends, great for both Gatwick and Heathrow for holidays, and saves us from having the hassle of packing and moving.

Am I being unreasonable to want to stay even though there are some definite upsides of moving?

I think Croydon prices jumped up very quickly and are now set to remain the same or drop back slightly

@mammajay but isn't it going to boom with continued development of so many flats and maybe Westfield? more chance of property price going up than where we are in Surrey I thought

I don't think prices will go up in Croydon or much anywhere around London. There are some nice properties in the area, but I would only move if I liked the house and area.

moving purely because you are gambling that the property market there will go up is a just that, a gamble. Not unreasonable, but a bit strange.

It's odd that the only hassle you can picture about buying a property is the packing and moving, that's the easiest and most straight forward part of the whole process.

Prices jumped a lot in Croydon when Westfield and the regeneration were first announced (good few years ago). It's not going to grow much further now. I'd stay out in Surrey though depends on where you are too?

Newly pregnant so main concerns are (1) packing I know sounds simple but it's upping sticks... (2) Croydon hospital (3) a property nearby being converted into a block of flats so there will be construction for ages then a busier road with more cars parked...

that's why even though Croydon would give a bigger house bigger garden and potential investment, tempted to call it quits...

Your post doesn’t actually mention why you want to move but you list a fair few reasons why you like where you currently live.

sorry! main reason to move is quicker commute into work, bigger garden, bigger house

if you are newly pregnant, your concern should be childcare, schools, and children-friendly parks and activities ,as well as your accommodation.

Have you even looked at what your budget could buy you in South Croydon?

For hospitals, we live South in the borough and we, along with plenty of others gave birth at East Surrey hospital- it's quicker to get to and park than CUH.

I thought maybe a short commuter (so more time with the kid) and bigger garden (so can play there safely)... I don't know

oh @Theonssausage so happy to see someone living in the south!!!! is that hospital better than Croydon university hospital??

I had my scans etc at Croydon and was all fine clinically but travelling there and trying to find any kind of parking for appointments was a nightmare - took us about an hour once parked and into the maternity unit so we moved to East Surrey with 20 min drive, easy access and a lovely smaller hospital- just calmer and more personal than UCH.

Primary schools are also good in our area (Coulsdon) and secondaries are fine and improving with grammar/private options too.

Property wise, we looked at Reigate first and got so much more for our money here (Reigate= 3 bed semi, small garden whereas here we have a 5 bed detached overlooking fields and trees) and better train links.

How much time would you save each way per day? Would there be an opportunity to work from home one day per week in your job?

Just checked... we would be 30 mins from Surrey East oh no.

Why would you need to be familiar with hospitals? Because this may be the biggest factor of all.

Cross; post-pregnancy. I get that it is a massive deal currently but there will be many years that it isn’t.

Croydon is rough. Even the "nice" parts are not great.

@rosehip I think South Croydon area is leafy and meant to be safe according to many here.

@Myfoolishboatisleaning familiarity of hospital only because it's easy to get anxious and also because I hear so many horrors of Croydon hospital. Also I hope your boat is fixed soon

What's your budget and how big a house/garden are you looking for?

And where do you work/have to commute to?

And where are you moving from/how long is the commute from there?

It could be that there are better solutions than South Croydon

Rosehip10 South Croydon, Selsdon and Sanderstead are not rough

I grew up in a very "naice" part of South Croydon, and can assure you that it is still very "naice". We were near a large park and several woods.

Stop viewing property as your sole investment, and look at your overall abilities to create revenue.

Seriously - moving to an area and forcing yourselves to live there for a decade, just to get some promised pot of gold at the end of a 10 year property price increase ...

My point is that you’re in Surrey (as am I) and property prices steadily rise in parts of it, yes not spectacular “gains” like redeveloped areas, but think of the more holistic and important gains such as being near things you rate and love, and familiar with etc.

This country is completely obsessed with property as an investment but factor in stamp duty, quality of life, cost of revelations etc, and will you be better off in the time you need to wait for it to appreciate in value?

In short, why not stay put in an area you know and love, don’t go mad chasing rainbows or whatever, just enjoy the luck of property appreciating in value when you do sell