Moving to Bromley? What do you think?

[Fran9944]

Hi all,

My first time writing here!

Hope you don't mind me asking, but could I have your opinion on how is living in Bromley town and surroundings nowadays?

My partner and I are in the process of possibly buying a house in the Shortlands area and I was wondering how it is living there?

If you look at the internet, Bromley is listed as one of the best areas for living around London, but if you look at people's comments on Facebook or ask around, it seems that it is not like it was before.

If you have any insights about how is living there, how is Shortlands area, if it safe at night or any other info, I would love to read your comments.

Moving is not easy and we are really looking for a place where we can stay for a while :)

Thank you!

I am very near Bromley and love it, but as with all areas there are good bits and less good bits.

Lots to do, excellent schools and well connected. We have a really lovely local community too.

Depends what you are looking for? Bromley has some very nice areas and some not so nice. Bromley high street is your typical British high st (usual shops, Whetherspoons, bit chavy). Shortlands is OK. Unremarkable and safe. I wouldn't be against living there if I had to. It is not like living in London though, very suburban.

It's a nice area. Would agree gone downhill a bit past few years but where hasn't?

We moved to Bromley 2 years ago and absolutely love it. Like pp have said there are good and bad areas - same as any other suburban town tbh. Overall though it's very green and has everything you could need or want; we're definitely staying put here for the long term.

We moved from near Shortlands station last year and I miss it everyday! It’s so safe, quiet, green… Beckenham Place Park is amazing and in walking distance, depending on which side of the station you’re on. Trains go to Victoria and Blackfriars, which was handy for us.
The high street is a different story. Yes it’s gone downhill (like every other one) in recent years, however we still went there almost every day for shopping, or the gym etc, and never had any trouble. Go down on a weekend day and check it out for yourself, it can get quite busy.
Where are you moving from OP?

Hi, we are moving from the Highgate area where we are currently renting and of course we cannot afford buying anythign here ehehe

Bromely seems nice but I was also wondering if it is a good place to move for a young couple and how it is in general :)

Thank you all for your answers!

It's very suburban and I wouldn't have instantly thought of it as a young couple place. Assuming you don't mind being more suburban, have you looked at Beckenham? A bit more happening but still on the outer edge of London, if that's what you want.

Shortlands is great, it's close to Beckenham and Bromley, walking or bus distance, loads to do : Beckenham Place Park, Bromley for shopping, Beckenham high street is good for eating out too, shortlands tavern is a great local pub. Easy to reach London via train, and beach days (train via Bromley to Whitstable), countryside walks, High Elms for instance are a short drive away.

I noticed in the night Street today more shops are opening. Gail’s and Bread Ahead.
Bromley is very green, safe and has amazing transport links. There is quite a lot of development going on, the old town hall has a lovely new restaurant and there are now two cinemas. You can get into London really quickly from Bromley stations - Victoria, Charing Cross and Blackfriars. You can get out into Kent or the coast without too much hassle. From Shortlands you are close to Beckenham, Sundridge Park and Bromley high street for shops. Beckenham Place Park is really lovely and about to go into Bluebell season. The park has a lake you can swim or paddle board in and lots of music and food markets going on.

@Fran9944 Bromley's great for young families - the schools are generally excellent and people tend to move here because of that. I took my 2 year old to the Churchill Theatre yesterday to watch a half term show and it was brilliant seeing how many families were there. I'd heartily recommend the borough and you'll definitely get more for your money than where you currently live!

Bromley is good. It's basically the main shopping area for the wider area. Lots of bars, cafes, etc and good for schools. I used to live in Shortlands. Nice area but I always found it irritating that my train journey was about 27 minutes from Victoria while Bromley South, further away, was just over half that.