Norbury vs Thornton Heath

[kcbh27]

Hello all!

We are deep into the house-hunt and am having so much fun. ( 8-) )

But - I am finding such differences in the pricing of some houses and I simply cannot see the differences.

For example: There is a house in north Thornton Heath that looks amazing, has been cared for, has attic dormer, conservatory, new kitchen (no dishwasher)... etc. All to a very high standard. The garden is immaculate and the house is a 5 bedroom. - All for the low, low price of £600k
Then:
There is a house only 2 minutes away. Just across into Norbury. Its very similar but: No upgrades, 4 bedroom, garden cared for but basic, closer to a busy road, on a through road... But it is only £25k less. (£575k)
Smaller and, while cared for, not upgraded in the least.

I was expecting a much more significant difference between the two. Is there something that I am not seeing that I should be taking into consideration? I don't think that I could do the work required to bring the one up to the same standards, for £25k. But I am still open to the house if there is something else that I simply do not understand (first time buyer in the UK - we have property in Canada).

AND

Are these good neighbourhoods to raise my babies in...?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, Penge is better than Thornton Heath and worth a look.

Yy penge to really improving & some really nice roads, not sure the op cares though, hasn't come back to the thread.

I live in and raise my kids in Thornton Heath. Rough, yes, in parts. Lots of new people with money moving into the area. Some roads I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, some crime but not really any different from other S London areas, imo.

Positives - subway, superdrug, one nice restaurant, a really nice Costa, great chinese takeaway, good schools, some outstanding, a great leisure centre, brilliant housing stock, Weatherspoons, westfield on its way, cheap housing, 22 mins from Vic, and, get this, thornton heath is filled with FAMILIES living in actual FAMILY HOMES. It's probably the most family dominated area i have lived in in south london. We have a great carnival each year with a great turn out. It is multicultural, with all groups getting a long. I'd sooner raise my kids here that some boring commuter town.

You can still get roomy family homes in Thornton Heath for under 400k.

I'd sooner TH than South Norwood, much of south croydon, mitchem, west croydon.

We are happy, feel safe, and will raise our kids here, no matter what their age. And despite the post code, I feel very much a part of South London, in the heart of it really.

I find the "wouldn't raise my kids" comments a bit offensive TBH. What an insult into the vast, vast majority of kids who are raised well and good in Thornton Heath, what an insult to all the good families there are here choosing to raise their kids here.

Yes I felt that too when I first read this thread. Am old gimmer born and bred there, and tbh couldn't wait to move away - but that was because I knew I needed wide open spaces.

Elderly DF is still living there, in a nice quiet area, with lovely neighbours, and DM is not far away in S Norwood. The high street is lively and bustling, quite an improvement on the 60's (Wimpy Bar was the highlight, tho I think it's managed to survive!). DF, DM and I usually go to the nice restaurant when I go back. :)

Most of the people on here don't live of haven't lived the Thornton Heath in a long. My question is if it is so scary give me an example when you were robbed or beaten up.

Please don't insult a place because you don't like it. Afterall a few years ago Brixton was a no go area, now it is the most trendy place in south London.

With the regeneration in Croydon and coming to Thornton heath combined with the increase in demand due to the unaffordability of streatham, balham and crystal palace I would buy here now as the price is increasing exponentially. In a few years you will feel like a fool for not investing in the area.

I have moved out of Thornton heath last year, lived there for 2 years and hated every minute of it, cant say anything positive about this place to be honest.