What Makes Croydon Such a Great Place to Live
In the media, there has always been a fair amount of controversy surrounding Croydon. According to a public survey carried out last year, it ranked second among the worst places to live in the UK. Croydon, just like most things related to it, is subject to love it or hate it attitude and this is the undeniable truth. What I believe everyone can agree with is that there is no such thing as perfect place. Living in Croydon has its downsides but I, for one, think that the positives outweigh the negatives. Call me biased if you like but also consider the facts that I’m going to outline in no particular order.
Croydon’s got plenty of history
How about the ancient Roman ruins unearthed in the Old town? Everyone knows those dudes didn’t build just anywhere, like for fun. The site was special to the them. In more recent times, we see that Croydon has managed to preserve its significance. For instance, in 1803 the world’s first public railway was opened connecting the town with Wandsworth. Shortly afterwards this became a popular route for the vast numbers of people who began commuting to and from London as the Industrial Revolution picked up speed. Oh, did I mention it was horse-drawn, the railway in question?
Croydon has for a long time been, and still is, a major transportation hub of international capacity. What’s more, air traffic control was first introduced at no other place but Croydon Airport. It also was one of the first airports in the world to offer commercial flights.
Last but not least, the East India Company Military Seminary was founded in 1809 at Addiscombe, just a ten-minute walk away from central Croydon, to train young officers for service in the Company’s armies in India.
The richest culture south of the Thames (within M25)
If a fan of Sherlock Holmes, you are well aware that Croydon was the setting for some of the mysteries he is investigating. This is not for no reason because Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself resided in South Norwood, a district in South East London within the Borough of Croydon.
World-famous artists like Adele, Jessie J, Leona Lewis and the late Amy Winehouse all come from the renowned Brit School in Selhurst, CR0. Furthermore, the town is known for its affluent underground music scene. It also gained fame as the birth place of dubstep. Now is the moment to remember that I warned you about the love it or hate it attitude.
Croydon Library is not only an architectural landmark (the Town Hall building actually) but also spreads culture like it was Ebola virus.
The best connected London borough
We are getting more practical here. The gigantic city our capital is, it is vital to be well connected in order to do the everyday commute to and from work. Not to worry! Croydon’s got you covered. London city centre and everything it has to offer is just 20 minutes away by train. Victoria station, Waterloo or London Bridge – they are all within very easy and quick reach from East Croydon. Gatwick airport is too, a mere 20-minute train journey away from the same station. God forbid you fly from Heathrow. A direct bus goes the whole distance but mind you, depending on traffic it could take more or less two hours.
The one and only Tramlink
The Tramlink is South London’s pride and joy and for the best part it runs right through the heart of Croydon. Trams are the most eco-friendly and reliable method of transport around. The four lines in existence connect the town with Wimbledon to the north-west, with Elmers End and Beckenham Junction to the north-east and New Addington – to the south-east. In short, the Tramlink is a real blessing. It makes getting around much easier, life in general has become easier thanks to the tram service.
Ah, that skyline
Croydon boasts an impressive skyline for a Zone 5 borough. All those mid 20th century skyscrapers down town create a very contemporary image if looked from afar. Up-close the sight is not one to write much about. Construction is booming though and the skyline is bound to get even more futuristic. After all Croydon is often referred as London’s third City. If you haven’t been there you’ll have to take my word for it – the centre of CR0 feels extraordinary urban.
Shopping in Croydon
Shopping in Croydon is great by all accounts. You can find everything you might need and even more. Despite the recent demise of a few local favourites, like Allders for instance, the shopping hasn’t suffered. On the contrary. Westfield and Hammerson have committed £1bn to transforming our shopping centres. But this is old news anyway. A curious fact is that even Darth Vader’s stormtroopers splash their cash at Centrale.
To continue my thought about Britain’s favourite pass time I have to mention the Valley Park Retail Area. This up-and-coming gigantic retail park is such a treat for the locals. John Lewis, IKEA, B&Q, PC World, TK Max and many more brand names can all be found here. Imagine you just moved to the borough and are looking to furnish your place. What better than the second biggest IKEA store in the UK right next door?! A flat pack heaven for those in need. Or Swedish meatballs heaven for the more peckish.
The Valley Park Retail Area is not simply a shopping destination, it is a provider of thousands of jobs in Croydon and beyond. Plus, it is served by that awesome Tramlink we talked about not long ago.
Independent and convenient living
Anything one might need – from furniture delivery and assembly services to brain surgery – is available in Croydon. It is a modern town and vital part of one of the world’s most important cities.
Convenience also comes in the form of many green recreational areas spread across the borough. The vast Lloyd Park and the newly regenerated Wandle Park spring to mind. Golf courses are abundant too.
That awkward round building outside East Croydon station
Another of Croydon’s landmarks. Built in 1970, No. 1 Croydon (or the 50p Building, formerly the NLA Tower, the Weddingcake or Threepenny bit building) has 24 stories and is 82 metres high. It is, plain and simple, a skyscraper that looks… um… a bit odd, strange, unusual, peculiar, you get the point. And we croydoners love it for that. You won’t be left indifferent either.
Kate Moss and Roy Hodgson hail from Croydon
I would bet you an arm and a leg that the former is more a source of pride than the latter.
Crystal Palace Football Club
We are South London’s number one!!!
These are my arguments in Croydon’s defence. I’m not trying to convince anyone in anything but to me, although far from being perfect, it is by no means a bad place to live or raise a family. Addiscombe and parts of South Croydon are especially nice, with friendly neighbours, good council service and a bit further away from the occasional riff-raff one might encounter in the less welcoming areas of the town.
P.S.: CR7 is highly overrated, to say the least (pun intended).
