Living in Croydon
This old Surrey market town is now one of London’s largest boroughs, with great transport connections and a warm and vibrant community.
Why consider moving to Croydon?
With friendly locals, a real community feel and plenty going on there’s a real buzz about Croydon. It’s an up and coming area, backed by an ongoing multi-billion-pound regeneration project that’s revitalising its streets, open spaces and businesses - meaning there’s never been a better time to consider looking for Croydon properties for sale.
Life in Croydon is bustling, with a great selection of places to eat, drink and shop, good nightlife and fast connections into the City, making it popular with young professionals and young families.
With BOXPARK and a proposed new Westfield shopping centre as well as huge investment across the area, Croydon is a real up and coming area that benefits from its location between the beautiful Surrey Hills and central London.
Discover the History of Croydon
There’s evidence of settlements in Croydon as far back as the Romans, and its location as an important place on a transport corridor between London and the south has remained ever since. Croydon has a rich religious history, with Croydon Minster hosting visits from many royals, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The church that now stands in its place acts as the final resting place for six Archbishops of Canterbury.
In the 19th century Croydon was one of London’s leading leisure destinations with a spa and pleasure garden that attracted Victorian pleasure seekers in their droves. But by the end of WWII, Croydon had largely been destroyed from bombing. Large investment in the area got underway in the 1990s, revitalising the community and making the basis for the modern Croydon you see today.
What's the lifestyle like?
From the modern BOXPARK to the historic and artisanal Surrey Street Market, there’s a lot going on in Croydon. There’s a great selection of big brand shops, restaurants and leisure facilities within the large Centrale and Whitgift shopping centre, with a wide choice of department stores like M&S and House & Fraser alongside brands like Bodyshop, Boots and H&M.
With advanced proposals for a new Westfield shopping centre on the same site, there’s likely to be even more retail options in Croydon. There’s also the Valley Park Retail Centre that’s home to several large stores like Nike, Dunelm and DFS, a large cinema, ten-pin bowling & casual dining at high street restaurants like Nandos and Pizza Express.
Food & drink
BOXPARK Croydon is a real hub for foodies and those looking for a good selection of craft beers, spirits and cocktails. With street food options, multiple bars, live music and live sports screenings, BOXPARK is a real draw for locals and tourists. As well as the numerous high street chain restaurants in Croydon's shopping centres, there are a number of fantastic independent cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars here too. Surrey Street Market, which dates back to the 13th century, is open seven days a week and is a great place to find local food traders, street theatre performances and locally produced goods.
Green spaces to explore in Croydon
While you can jump on a train and be in the tranquil Surrey Hills in just under 20 minutes, you don’t need to leave Croydon to enjoy the outdoors.
Under three miles from Croydon station is Addington Hills with spectacular views across all of London. Coombe Woods is also nearby with its beautiful woodland walks and you’ll find a good selection of other green spaces around the area – from Wandle Park to Waddon Ponds, Lloyd Park and South Norwood Country Park, which has a network of meadows, wetlands and lakes to explore.
What's public transport like in the local area?
With fast connections into London Bridge and Victoria, Croydon is a popular choice for those looking for easy access to the City.
From Croydon station you can be in central London in just 20 minutes. For those wanting to escape to the countryside it’s under 20 minutes by train to the Surrey Hills, and for international travel Gatwick Airport is only 20 miles away. Croydon's position is also great for accessing the south, with the M25 a 25-minute drive away.
Moving to Croydon
Croydon is the second largest borough in London and with that comes plenty of opportunities for homebuyers. Croydon new-builds are popular with first-time buyers but whatever stage of your home ownership journey we’ll likely be able to help you find the ideal Croydon house for sale if you contact us.
