…It is improving every day. More restaurants are opening everyday, there are good private schools to choose from and there is Park Hill and Lloyds Park for a Sunday walk.

The big advantage is really the transport, tram to Wimbledon included!
Janine

Of course, the big plus with East Croydon is the station which means (at 13 minutes to London Bridge and 16 minutes to Victoria) commuting (and going out in central London) is a doddle and you can get a lot more for your money property-wise than other areas of London. East Croydon is also on the Thameslink so you can get a fast train direct to King's Cross which is really useful.

The roads around us are also full of young professionals who have taken up the other flats in the area, which always seem to go very quickly.

We have also taken advantage of the fast trains to Gatwick and the coast. All in all, it has been a superb area to buy and with the continuing regeneration of the town centre, it continues to go from strength to strength.
Martin Jennings

I have lived in this area now for four years and I have noticed a lot of professionals moving in and an increase of properties redeveloped to be sold - further indicating the gentrification of the area

With train links into London that will take you to Victoria and London Bridge in less than 15 minutes and great links to the South East.

Coupled with the new multi-million pound regeneration that is due to start by East Croydon bringing a multitude of shops and a sports arena this area is on the up.

Mark my words prices are definitely going to explode when the word gets out... on second thoughts, keep it to yourself!

Tube connections to the financial district of London due in 2008 will mean that Croydon is connected directly to most of the rest of London.

There has been a huge expansion in cinemas, restaurants, bars, shops and even health clubs! The transport links couldn't be better.

Croydon is a vast place with parts that are highly desirable and others that remain shabby and unlikely to change - like West Croydon. East and South Croydon are the places to live.

The most desirable homes for commuting are found on the roads off Addiscombe Road which runs along the tram route to the station

This can all be achieved without having to compromise living space - the luxury of 1000 sq ft, a 40 ft garden and your own front door by far outweigh the 450 sq ft, window box and the doorbell lottery faced by the city dwellers. The only gripe is that driving into London is a pain, and parking in central Croydon's residential areas is now much more tightly controlled.

All in all a good place to buy investment-wise, with the inclusion of the tram and the forthcoming indoor sports stadium, housing and shopping centre next to East Croydon Station. It's got to be a winner!

However, I have noticed that the area is being taken over by a breed of people who do not take much care of the local environment (rubbish, noise etc).

Consequently, upon buying, I chose to invest my money in a house in Purley which is still pretty good for commuting, and leaves behind many of the social problems which seem to be taking over the whole of Croydon proper.

It's clean, safe and so easy to get to anywhere in London (Victoria, City, Wimbeldon) especially on the Thameslink which is the best commuter link in the country.

The shops and restaurants are the best you will find outside of the centre of London.

Croydon residents smile on the inside when others put it down because we know better, much better.

On the plus side the town planning for the new bus stops and the tram link outside the station are a master plan of execution.

Also, this "jump to light speed" hub gets you to Gatwick Airport, Victoria and London Bridge in 15 minutes which could only be done quicker in a helicopter with today's traffic. So East Croydon station does its job well which is probably one of the reasons that this location is a hot spot.

East Croydon offers excellent facilities in terms of shopping, eating out, pubs and fitness facilities although a swimming pool wouldn't go a miss.
With the new tram lines that have been recently installed getting around locally couldn't be easier as well.

On a less positive note, I feel Croydon needs to improve its cultural depth and improve its image, which I feel is probably on a par with the kind of thoughts people have when areas in Essex are mentioned. I try to avoid the clubs in Croydon, the sort of people you meet there seem to be of a kind and not as friendly as people in clubs and pubs in London.

What you don't get in Croydon is a club where you don't have dress restrictions and music that has depth beyond commercial dance. I feel Croydon could really do with a lot more diversity, unfortunatley I don't see this happening just yet.

If you like your food then there are loads of eateries, you're spoilt for choice, pizza parlours, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, English, pub food, fast food the list is endless but I mustn't forget to mention the obligatory post-pub grub, the Kebab, you can get them too !

Finally the part of East Croydon I live in is very peaceful and quiet and up to now fingers crossed, trouble free. I still find it strange how the hustle and bustle of the town centre and nightlife is so close to me yet feels so far away.