Living in Sandersted / Purley: Opinions

[Bea86]

Hello,

First post here :) We are a family of 4 and looking to move outside of London.
We came across Purley and Sandersted and were wondering what people's opinions are about the area for families? Especially Sandersted. We are looking for a safe and nice environment for our family and wonder if the proximity to central Croydon is an issue? We read Westfield is going ahead. Is this causing potentially unwanted side effects? Or is this maybe even a good thing as it will inject more development in an area that might really need it?
Overall we really liked it when visiting a few times but of course it is different to visit for a weekend versus really living there.

Thank you very much for your help!

B

Was in Kenley so very nearby until a few years back, both those you mention are pretty decent. As an area it’s actually quite a way to central Croydon from there. Certainly doesn’t feel like it’s right in your doorstep so unlikely to be affected by the construction if that’s what you mean. I think out of the two, Sanderstead will be quieter, Purley, esp the junction is preferred busy and you have fast trains running through.

It’s really good for green spaces there, along the downs from Sanderstead and also Kenley airfield woods are lovely and really peaceful.

Sanderstead is much nice than Purley. There are lots of very exclusive, million pound plus houses in Purley, but you’d never know that to look at the town centre, which has become really run down. Traffic around the Tesco roundabout is a nightmare and the Brighton Road through the centre is horrific at rush hour and not much better at other times.

Other possible options in the area to look at are Caterham and Old Coulsdon.

Warlingham probably has the nicest village feel in that area if that's what you're looking for

I live nearby. Sanderstead is lovely but much of the area is far from the train station. Purley is nice too but the centre isn’t as nice as Sanderstead’s high street. If you like Sanderstead, I’d also consider Coulsdon, Warlingham, Caterham, Purley Oaks. Banstead is also nice though the trains are slower.

Sanderstead is lovely for families. Several excellent primary schools and good secondaries nearby. Private options too.
Pre-school groups, and extracurriculars for older kids - sports, dance, cubs/brownies etc.
Local shopping with small supermarkets nearby as well as restaurants, hair/beauty etc. Several parks, green spaces, woods nearby.
Train station is a distance from the main centre but in a bus route. Purley Oaks similar distance giving an alternative train line.
Downside probably as kids get older and wanting to be more independent as Croydon town centre is not great, especially at night. Although East Croydon station runs until late so going up to London is an option.

Thank you everyone for the messages and information!

Sandersted sounds look a good choice for us then. Good primary schools are important and indeed looks like quite a few. I am interested to hear which ones people like best as Offsted alone is often not the best indicator.

Caterham is nice too btw. At some point we also were looking at Horsham but trains are much easier to get from Purley and more frequent.

Thanks again

Atwood, Ridgeway and Gresham have great reputations. St Peters and Christchurch are good too, although a bit further out from Sanderstead. Purley Oaks is not as well regarded.

I live in the area and would always pick Sanderstead over purley. But actually I like Warlingham much better. Purley town centre is pretty grim and purley cross is not nice at any time of day, let alone rush hour!

Most of Warlingham (up by the Green etc) is miles from a railway station though....

Yes it’s a big old hill to go either down or up between Warlingham and the station. No idea why it’s called upper Warlingham station. It’s right down the bottom!

Sanderstead is lovely and has the benefit of having two stations on different train lines which is really useful.

it's quite amusing seeing someone say Sanderstead is far from the station and then recommending Warlingham!

It's because Whyteleafe South used to be called Warlingham so Upper Warlingham had the prefix added and never removed it when Whyteleafe South changed from being Warlingham. "Upper Warlingham" was above "Warlingham"

@SoupDragon Well you learn something new everyday

OP just bear in mind with Caterham it’s right at the end of the train line, it’s a slow stopping service. Good for getting a seat, but takes a long time into London from there, comparatively.

Another place maybe is Kenley, up on the hill. Very quiet up there although there’s nothing there shops wise.

Also it’s worth mentioning how hilly most of these places are, some really steep roads and footpaths.

@Bea86 are you looking for somewhere with restaurants and coffee shops, or more rural? If the former, Sanderstead or Coulsdon are the best in the area for this I think. Coulsdon south is on thameslink which has quick trains, and Sanderstead has two different train lines which is handy. kenley is worth a look if you’re not bothered about restaurants and coffee shops- it feels quite rural and calm, and I’ve heard good things about the Hayes primary school in Kenley.

Hello
I would pick Sanderstead rather than Purley. As already mentioned Purley is extremely busy with traffic. However Warlingham for families is great, good countryside, commuter balance. We moved last year and looked at all the areas mentioned and picked Warlingham. Schools also are still good and more of a community feel. Plus near to motorway as well as trains, jobs may change over the years so gave both options.