Norwood, Croydon, Bromley

[olguis]

Hopefully people can give me some advice!

I currently live in Brockley and want to buy a house with a garden. House can be 2 bedroom and I quite like modern too. I guess I can strech to 300, 325.

So I've been looking at South London further South from Brockley. Norwood area has some houses within this price range. What is this area like, especially closer to the Arena DLR? I know it is not supernice, but what attracts me is a combination of trains and Overground going through Norwood Junction. I think Brockley became so good because it is now so easy to get out of it, when overground came.

Or I can go further South to South Croydon, or Purley even. Or Waddon? Shirley?
People say Purley should be nice. but what is the commute like, and the connections to Central London, if there is just one train line. I remember how I hated that waiting on Sunday eve at London bridge for a train to Brockley that always seemed to be coming in 25 min, and the child is tired...

Thanks for any ideas!

South Croydon yes. One stop to east Croydon for fast trains to London.

Waddon - some parts are actually OK.

Norwood - no way

thanks! I'm watching the programme right now. Iggly, is Norwood really rough then?
What about East Croydon? And anywhere in particular in South Croydon?
And also - any opinion about Penge?

I don't love Penge but have you thought about Anerley or Elmers End? Both very nice and good for the transport links etc.

the area around Sanderstead Station is good as there is also Purley Oaks Station very near and these are on different lines so a problem on one doesn't necessarily mean disaster. sanderstead has one train every half an hour to London IIRC.

The house near the station that OldBag linked to is on a tiny road where parking is going to be an issue. Of course that may not matter!

East Croydon's ok, South Croydon is better, west Croydon is grim. All are walking distance from the shopping centre (soon to be Westfield!). Sanderstead has some very good schools with teeny catchment areas, if you school aged children.

We're in Selsdon and I would rather be further in, but that's a personal choice - we both grew up in South London 'proper' rather than suburbs. We're looking at Penge, which has fantastic transport links - Penge West is on the same line as Brockley into LB, and Penge East has a 20 min train into Victoria. Plus it's close to Beckenham and Crystal Palace for nice shopping and parks.

South Croydon - the side between east Croydon and south. There's not much nice housing or housing at all near east.

Penge is OK in parts actually - loads of young families. I live up the road from penge. Beckenham is walking distance with nice shops etc.