Bromley v Croydon =same same

[Chocolateorcheese]

I see a lot of love on here for LB Bromley, yet none for LB Croydon. Ok, Bromley centre has a massive shopping centre and Croydon Central, well, erm, hasn’t. On MN I hear green spaces, fab housing, great schools, quick commute into London, close to countryside. Doesn’t Croydon have this too? I hear the north of the borough gets a bad rap, but then whenever I see people suggesting a move to Bromley I never see Bromley north or south mentioned either.

So, are there more Bromley mumsnetters than Croydon ones? Have most people chosen to spout common misconceptions despite never visiting the area? Or, is there something in this?

Aren't they both dull and therefore much of a muchness. 😂 Ok, the last bit was cheeky, but seriously they are both zone 5&6 so what’s the difference?

There are indeed some beautiful houses on the Webb Estate, @JeremyIronsBenFolds, but you can still hear traffic when you're in the garden.I love Arts and Crafts houses, but the constant bloody traffic noise would stop me from living there, even if you were to give me one for nowt!

SIL moved from Addiscombe to Sanderstead a few years ago. She used to say how quiet it was and DP and I would look at one another. She's now in Oxted, and thinks that's really quiet, but they're under a flight path, so have loads of plane noise, and in between planes you can hear the M25 when the A25 is quiet enough.

I've become very noise averse since moving to the sticks.

May I just say Coulsdon, Farthing Down on our doorstep, 20 mins to Gatwick, 20 mins to London Bridge, 40 mins to Brighton. Schools are fine- I think it’s the part of Croydon the world has forgotten. Could do with better restaurants however.

I'm wondering where all these threads on Bromley and Croydon are? The OP says there are lots. I'm a regular MN and have never seen one.
I've been to both areas and I prefer Bromley by the way. An outsider's perspective on the town centre part only. I'm sure there are lovely green areas around Croydon too.

Croydon has better green spaces, arts and culture, restaurants and transport. But Bromley is whiter so people consider it to be naicer than Croydon

Croydon is horrible and crime ridden, I grew up there. None of my family have stayed. Some live in Bromley now! But the south of Croydon borough is ok and if you need housing it's more affordable than most of London I suppose. Used to have good shops, have the two shopping centres closed?

I hate Croydon with a passion. My aunt used to live there and visiting her was awful - the traffic, parking, etc. I'm so glad she's moved!
Parts of Bromley and some outskirts are nice.

@TheDuchessofMalfy

I grew up there but left at 18 and never went back. Maybe it's nicer now, I haven't been back even to visit since my aunt died 5 years ago but it always seems so urban and grim - but is the fish and chip shop still there, Croydon end of addiscombe, used to be lovely?

@LakieLady It's the block of buildings behind where the Blue Orchid used to be. The photo is taken from the road that cut St George's walk in half.

Oh the Blue Orchid, that brings back memories!!

I visit Croydon to go to the large stores as I can drive and park easily. Use to visit people who lived there up until 10 years ago. The problem with me getting to the nicer parts of Croydon I have to travel through the crap areas.

I also have friends in Bromley and I prefer Bromley even though it's boring. Simply because in Bromley people have better manners.

It's a bit shit OP to pronounce areas of London as 'dull and suburban' - bet you're loads of fun keeping it real and gritty in 'proper London.'

I've lived in both and like any area there are good aspects and not so good ones. But overall Bromley is much quieter and more suburban, yes. And Croydon high street is not a place you want your teenager to hang out on. I wouldn't move back to Croydon that's for sure.

HarlotOTara I’m in Coulsdon, have lived in Croydon all my life and just moved out this way due to DH’s job. BTW the new wine and plant shop on the parade by Grange Park is also a wine bar and coffee shop and it smells amazing, we popped in earlier as they only opened yesterday!

I love Croydon. I moved to a very white middle class county town for uni and hated it. Wasn’t for me. I like the diversity. I would prefer it if there was a bit more community spirit in keeping the place clean and tidy but that’s endemic in any town or city, Paris is much dirtier!

And anyone who says Bromley doesn’t have any crap bits has never been to Downham