Brixton or South Croydon for young family

[Brixtonvssouthcroydon]

We are thinking of moving to South London and found two properties we like but we are unsure about location.
There is dh, DD (baby) and myself. We both work central but only a couple of days a week.
Property 1: in Brixton very central but small garden
Property 2: South Croydon (Lloyds park area), larger garden

Both similar size, South Croydon one is 20% cheaper but it's a complete different lifestyle over there.

Family friend tells us South Croydon would be better for a young family; we are also a bit concerned that Brixton might more a young professional neighbourhood rather than young family so maybe less baby friendly.

I know you can't decide for us! But any opinions on both areas?

Neither, however I would avoid Croydon more than brixon

Did you also look at Herne Hill when considering Brixton? It's very close by and much more of a family area than Brixton. South Croydon is also a family area but in my opinion Croydon town centre (where you will realistically be travelling to or through a lot) is rougher than Brixton in terms of feeling at night and street crime rates.

Agree.

I lived in South London for 26 years, went to school in Brixton and worked in Croydon. I would look at other areas to be honest.

I would not move to Brixton with a child. Lived there til 11. Left because of the riots. Parents were afraid our block would get burned down. Saw my mum and friend get mugged and beaten up in front of me. Moved to Tulse hill when I was 22. Had a stranger spit in my face as I was getting on a bus in Brixton. Went to several mates gigs via Brixton around ten/twelve years later. Got chased up the hill by what I assume were druggies twice, at about 8pm, for unknown reasons.

I actually put the tube postcode into ADT crime finder recently and the number it came up with was horrifying.

Maybe I am just crime sensitive and unlucky, idk. Lived all over London for decades and could never come up with a number of incidents like that about any one place.

What about Forest Hill as another South London family option?

Streatham? It’s in between and has lots of families and some decent schools.

Brixton is definitely more child friendly than south Croydon/Croydon in general. I know from experience of both

Yup

Also Tooting Bec or Colliers Wood might be options. What's your budget?

That's why Croydon in general is cheaper because it's gone downhill and not getting any better tbh

I lived between Brixton and Herne Hill for several years with a baby and young toddler. No issues and we were very happy. Herne Hill is definitely the more family-friendly "town centre" but it's only 12 mins walk from Brixton tube, and there are plenty of families around. Can't comment on Croydon, but tbh its rep speaks for itself.

Aggree Re Herne Hill and also Tulse Hill. Actually lived on my Nan's old estate in Tulse Hill as an adult and it was fine. Can't remember it's name. Opposite Fenstanton school (which I went to, and 30 odd years ago was fine). Big old three storey houses, ex LA, her road was Coburg Crescent.

Look at Streatham. It’s definitely family friendly, good schools and facilities. I’d avoid Croydon.

Definitely Brixton. I would look around the Brockwell Park area.

Or Crystal Palace?

Yep that’s my experience too. And the scary thing is those figures are just the reported crimes. Lots just don’t report because it’s so commonplace people feel it’s not worth it.

I’ve been flashed at twice, once in a busy public park in the middle of the day, followed home, shot with a BB gun (!) in the back of my head when getting off a busy bus, my next door neighbour had a man walk into her house through the back doors when she was upstairs in her toilet, I’ve been mugged walking home at 6pm from the train station. You honestly couldn’t pay me to move back there.

Can you not chose better areas other than brixon and Croydon? I would advise to look at different areas.

Central Croydon and the downtown area towards Thornton Heath are not great, of course, but the Lloyds Park area has some lovely leafy roads. I grew up in that area but haven't been back for a good few years. I would avoid Brixton.

Seriously? More like avoid Croydon compared to Brixon

I wasn't allowed to go out on my own or bring myself home from school in Tulse Hill. No playing outside our flat. The odd corner shop on a Sunday morning was all my mum would allow.

I don't understand how it attracts so many problems, or how the house prices given what you are putting up with are absurd.

Neither would appeal to much.
Brixtons fairly pricey, and grotty in parts. I prefer Stockwell.
Some parts of Croydon are very nice, but quite far from the centre.
Check out Honor Oak, Forest Hill, Brockley or Blackneath.

South Croydon is very different to central Croydon, it's green and leafy and not urban in the same way at all. There are clearly a lot of people who are working on their impressions of the borough rather than knowledge of the area on this thread 🙄 As a PP pointed out; lots of lovely roads by Lloyd Park, access to Coombe Wood (plus the new, very well regarded secondary school), reasonable transport options both at South Croydon station and on the tram.

Brixton is VERY different to S Croydon. It depends what you're looking for really; it's the difference between z2 and a tube stop, vs z5.

We're not far from south Croydon, up in Sanderstead, having moved out from further in (DH grew up in Streatham, I grew up in Forest Hill). We like it here but I think it depends what sort of lifestyle you're realistically looking for. Schools will be key quite soon for you so it's also worth investigating what catchment you'd be in and whether you're happy with the primary offerings.

Of the two, and having lived in Brixton and in Croydon until the age of 45 - at this moment in time (and with a baby) I'd choose Brixton. And I have visited both in the last month.

@KievLoverTwo that estate is called the Palace Road Estate, built in the mid 70s. Rent for one of those houses when newly built was £15 a week! First choice primary would have been Streatham Wells but many went to Fenstanton too. The estate that Fenstanton is actually on (st Martins Estate) is a very different kettle of fish.

I’d also say neither. Sydenham or Penge much nicer than both.

I live on the outskirts of Croydon although not quite in Croydon itself, with a young family. I’m going to go against the grain here and say that there’s loads I love about it! We have amazing green open spaces, loads to do, great transport and lots of good schools. My DC all go to Croydon schools (primary and secondary, comps by the way, not Whitgift or Old Palace) and have all done well.

Yes there are absolutely the not nice parts and a lot of Croydon town centre isn’t great but tbh I really think that pretty much everywhere has issues these days, esp since brexit and covid. We’re quite outdoorsy and not into shopping so it suites us.

My granny and cousins live in what is always traditionally considered a “naice” area outside of London. We visited the end of last year and couldn’t believe the decline of it.

Where abouts in South Croydon is the house? Fancy sharing the link and maybe I’ll be able to say more?

Oh wow I did not expect so many negative views towards both areas! Food for thought, I suppose other nicer areas are out of reach at the moment, we do love spending time at home so we prefer spacious places (also thinking of dc2 possibly!) and this limits possibilities.
The dream would be Dulwich but one can only dream