Thornton heath

[Annapi]

Hello,
Can anyone give me some honest opinion about Thornton Heath? I am about to purchase a property there but every time I go there I feel like this is a bad decision: the area looks pretty bad, in every possible sense.
Am I missing anything?
Thanks
A

Yes I see your situation @Annapi. For what it’s worth, you’ll likely find Thornton Heath isn’t as bad as you are expecting. Property should hold it’s value and always be in demand, especially a FTB property, so it’s a decent investment. If you like the flat you’ve offered on and it’s within budget, could be worth sticking with. If you aren’t particularly into the flat or you think better might come to market and you have the time to wait, keep looking.

Thornton Heath will always be in demand, too, because of the hospital, with all their staff.

Choice of road and immediate location are key; I live off ‘the worst high road in England’ but our local roads have great community, lovely people, a local park etc. This must exist in pockets in TH.

Mitcham and Streatham Vale are possibilities .

If you like Norwood Junction look at the areas close to it like woodside (near blackhorse Lane tram) & addiscombe?

Slightly out of Borough into Anerley may be a good option. Bromley council is generally a better bet than Croydon.

I'd compromise on a room or a private garden and go for South Norwood, Crystal Palace side

Are you tied to the area? What are your commuting needs, in case people might be able to make more suggestions

Living in Crystal Palace will be a far happier experience than living in Thornton Heath.

Crystal Palace is lovely. It's the sort of place where - once lockdown is over - you'll step out of your door and feel as though you're the lead character in a modern romance novel. It's the sort of place where you can visit cafes, wander through new areas, while away hours pleasantly - and be haunted by the feeling that a meet-cute, an adventure, a wonderful new friendship is just waiting round the corner, or hovering in front of view, like the views of the city, shimmering in the summer.

Thornton Heath is basically about getting through the days, weeks, months. Making your home as much of a shelter from the outside world as you can.

Thornton Heath isn't yet at that stage where there are lovely cafes in which to linger, dwell, and weave dreams that float you through the days. It's far more 'dash from the railway station, get in, put the kettle on.'

You know, lockdown is having it's effect on prices. It might be worth looking at more places out of your price range and offering what you can. You never know - you might find someone who really wants to sell and will accept your offer.

I would look at Norbury over Thornton Heath
It feels much nicer, especially the Streatham end, and is very similar prices and housing stock

I don't like it but some of that is based on growing up fairly close.

Crime rates are still high there vs many parts of London. Unsure if schools now but they were not great.

What would put me off is that's is probably still expensive but the future hope of gentrification is further away now. As pp said CC is broke & with the move to remote working Id move further out to a nicer area.

I agree with everyone’s opinions on Thornton Heath and wouldn’t want to live there. Would you be willing to consider a communal garden? If so you could get somewhere decent in upper Norwood/Crystal Palace which is a far nicer area. Here’s an example:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/71091909#/

Upper Norwood is better & I really like West Norwood.

I'm not sure all the people saying "I wouldn't like to live there" have the same considerations as the OP. it all comes down to budget and requirements.

I'm also not sure that upper norwood is a better area. For instance, the property that @MummyInTheNecropolis posted is just off the busiest road in the area, 25 mins walk from any train stations, and a good 25 min walk to Crystal Palace triangle where all the shops and pubs are (loving @thecatfromjapan 's romance novel description ). Upper Norwood is a bit of a deadzone in terms of shops and things to do - all things considered, I'd rather be in Thornton Heath.

There lots of buses on that road though & it's greener.
Crap shops though yeah

Upper Norwood is a bit of a deadzone in terms of shops and things to do - all things considered, I'd rather be in Thornton Heath.

It is a hop on the bus from that flat to a train station, but it's a waaaay nicer bit of the world than TH, there's plenty of shops at Crown Point, and the busy road doesn't affect properties just off it. It's very quite both side of Beulah Hill. OP can have a nose around but it's definitely a different kettle of fish. They'll have to weigh up the pro's and cons.