Is Caterham a nice place to live?

[wordlymama]

Hi All, I know there have been threads in the past asking about Caterham and what it is like to live there - but I was wondering if there are any recent insights or advice on if Caterham is a family friendly and safe area to live? The prices here seem lower than other areas such Epsom, Leatherhead, Tadworth etc. Why is that?

Would you recommend or not recomment Caterham for a young family with two young children?

Thank You in advance!

Stafford Road, apart from being a parking nightmare, is a cut through and suffers railway noise, but also often mentioned in police reports, usually for petty crime though. I’d avoid there and Croydon Road.

@LIZS
Thank you so much for this info!

Another vote here for Oxted above Caterham or Hurst Green if Oxted too pricey. Warlingham also nice too and all preferable to Caterham. Caterham feel a bit more like suburbia and connected with Croydon.

Hi, Caterham is up and coming in my opinion. There are some new build properties being built on Croydon Road next to Waspes Lodge roundabout and they appear to have an upstairs and downstairs space. The location is good for commute and if you like your quiet time too

@Lonelycrab

Also prefer Coulsdon to Caterham. Trains from the latter take ages as it’s a stopping service unless you change at EC. Coulsdon is mega fast by comparison.

I used to live in Kenley so know the area reasonably well.

This isnt actually true anymore, you can get trains from Caterham that are fast from East Croydon to LB with only a few stops in between that take 44 mins. You can also easily pick it up from Whyteleafe if you live that side which cuts it down to 39min and many people in Caterham also go from Upper Warlingham (would need a car/dropped off) which is 30 mins to Victoria.

Hey Lizs, hope you're well can I ask why avoid Croydon road? Thank you

Croydon road is the main road to A22 and is pretty run down, although the council has just started an upgrade project. There was supposed to be a Lidl built on an ex car showroom site about 5 years ago but the builders went bust twice and still not done. There was also a proposal for an Aldi at the far end but issues with it being opposite a primary school and parking. So the area has stagnated somewhat with derelict areas.

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it as we're debating moving there

LIDL is finished and about to open. The flats above are already being occupied. The work on the road outside (redesign, bences, flower pots etc) has been in progress for a few weeks now. Aldi hasn't started yet.

Caterham on the Hill area is nicer, high street is nicer with cafes, restaurants opening up. You need a car or be near to Waller Lane to walk down to the valley for train station (and good legs for hill up!).

Stafford Road is the only bit to seriously avoid in Caterham. The rest is perfectly nice suburbia. Area round Queens Park in Caterham on the Hill is nice and it's just had a huge upkeep and modernisation grant.

I agree. Have lived in Caterham on the hill now 7 years where we bought our 1st home. We are now on the market and ready to upgrade as we have 2 little ones and are going to stick in Caterham if we can. Make of that what you will. It’s a lovely area and like people mentioned, Stafford road being the place with a bad reputation.

LIDL is about to open if anyone still interested and ALDI have started work at the other end. Quite a few new restaurants have opened. Somewhat more controversially a McDonalds is coming to the high street. They are busy updating the roads and pavements and outting in flood defences in the valley. Generally there is an air of investment happening down in the valley where the 'high st' was a little tired. The Hill remains a very pleasant place to live and Queens Park is about to have a large refurbishment.

We didnt go away this summer and i have spent the summer pretty much in Caterham working from home and i have to say its been very pleasant. We go to nearby places like Oxted, Godstone, Reigate as well for restaurants, drinks etc.

I looked at this threat when considering Caterham. I've just moved to Caterham from Addiscombe and I love it. We are near the station, and feel completely safe at all times of day and night. The valley itself is so pretty with gorgeous walks from our doorstep. I feel there's a lot more going on here than in most of the surrounding areas (Whyteleafe, Warlingham, Kenley). If you are loaded and can afford to live near the shops in Oxted, it is nicer - do it, but Hurst Green has nothing other than houses.

Thank you to people who posted about Caterham this year super helpful as moving to area potentially. Hoping will be the right choice for family and I. Does it generally feel safe in Caterham on the hill?

Yes it's fine.

(And Lidl finally opened this week 😄)

I live in Caterham on the Hill and it feels entirely safe. I walk home from the local pub (the King and Queen, v friendly, great live music) on my own and have no hesitation in letting my young teens do so too. There is virtually no crime except spates of car theft, like in all nice areas where people have expensive cars. If anyone so much as looks at someone sideways it is immediately reported on the v active facebook sites. There is a stong community feel with an annual carnival, street party, fireworks display, xmas lights switch on etc. Its a really nice place to live, especially for famillies, with good transport links, great walks and bike rides, yet only 30-40 mins into London for work, nights out etc.

I'm always surprised its not more popular, the main shopping street in the valley is/was a bit run down but as others have said, it is slowly improving.

The K&Q is my local too!

We tend to avoid Saturday nights there but I wonder if we know each other 🤔🙂

Ha probably! Do you do the quiz?

Only occasionally (because we're shit at it!) but will be there for the Boxing Night quiz.