Purley Oaks (South Croydon) request

[SCMum123]

We’re currently looking to buy in South Croydon with a strict 500k budget. Ideally would like a semi but willing to go for a terrace. I have 2 DC ages 2 and 6 months.

I’ve seen this house on the market and it seems really spacious and bright - https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/171757253 - but wanted to know if anyone knew the area/road and had any thoughts on the property? Is it bad that it’s been on the market for a month now? We have no family in the UK and are first time buyers so are complete novices and want some help!

I lived pretty near (Kenley) and it’s a fairly decent area. Close enough to Purley/Sanderstead to not have to go into Croydon (shudder) unless absolutely necessary.

The massive Tesco in Purley is useful. Walkable to Sanderstead station too which gives you options as well as Purley for getting places. What’s nice about that area is you can hop in the car and in 10 mins or so be on somewhere that feels like countryside (Kenley Common, aerodrome, Riddlesdown etc)
Parking will always be a nightmare in that area but as long as you’ve got a spot before everyone gets home from work around 5-6 it’ll probably be not too bad.
Good luck OP

Area is good, and lots of good schools in the area. Mine all went to Riddlesdown secondary. Parking will be a nightmare but with 500k in that area not any options for a drive.

How about this one OP?
Knowing the area well, I think I’d much rather be up on the hill and away from the main road a bit. Much quieter road and situation too, link detached…

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/157774694

I live nearby. Sanderstead and S Croydon are really nice, family oriented areas ro live with excellent transport into London. (Central Croydon is now a complete dump but very few S Croydoners ever go there now and its due a regeneration at some point anyway (I do like noodles at Box Park though)) Get as close as possible to Sanderstead high street I'd say but Purley Oaks also fine. Secondary Riddlesdown is the one everyone wants but all the primaries are fine.

or Greater London

That's a heck of a hike for any of the stations, and away from local facilities too.

What's the draw to S.Croydon @SCMum123?

You get more for your money, better schools and facilities a bit further out in Coulsdon. Still zone 6 with plenty of transport links.

I prefer S Croydon - Coulsdon feels a bit too remote and far out for me. Would you live in central london if I could afford it 😂.

I like the area. However council tax is high.

There are cut through footpaths from that hill down into the valley- it’s 14 mins to Purley oaks vs 9 mins for the property the Op posted if you look at google. Hardly a heck of a hike. I know these roads like the back of my hand having lived there for years.

You’d also get a quiet leafy cul de sac, link detached vs semi, driveway, garage and no parking issues and better noise and air pollution. You wouldn’t have a cost cutter supermarket or greasy spoon on your doorstep but that wouldn’t be important to me. For proper shopping you jump in you car like everyone else and just go to the big Tesco, or Waitrose in Sanderstead if you’re a bit richer, and you know you can actually park your car when you get back.

Having lived in a road like the one the op has posted for many years, I can appreciate it’s better to be up out of the valley and away from the bustle, that’s all, esp with 2 young kids.

Of course you can do something about it, you say to the neighbour, do you mind if we replace the fence and just swallow the cost

For a couple of hundred quid, job done. It then becomes your fence, not to be confused with boundary. Most deeds dont specify the boundary ownership but even if it does, it doesnt mean you cant put a fence or divider on their boundary if they agree. Or just grow some quick growing plants up it