1. Plentiful green space
If the pandemic did one thing, it taught us all the benefits of spending time outdoors, appreciating the restorative benefits of nature and green space.
Croydon is positively brimming with green spaces. South Norwood Country Park is a 125-acre space boasting beautiful wildflower meadows, lakes and wetlands. There’s also a cycle path, a visitor centre, a children’s playground and pitch and putt. Lloyd Park spans 114 acres of lush parkland, punctuated by mature trees and woodland and serving the public with a café, a children’s playground, an outdoor gym, a bowling green and tennis courts.
There’s also the extensive Happy Valley Park, comprising 250 acres of woodland, meadows, nature trails and horse riders, and Farthing Downs, where avid nature watchers living in Croydon can revel in an array of birds, butterflies and wildflowers, whilst drinking in spectacular panoramic views of the London skyline.
2. First-rate educational facilities
As well as an extensive list of primary and secondary schools, many of them rated outstanding or good, Croydon is also home to numerous colleges, including Croydon College which has invested £60 million into ensuring it can offer the most exceptional facilities in the borough.
Croydon College offers excellent physical and online resources, opening up opportunities for students to develop a variety of vocational and academic skills.
3. Enviable transport links
Croydon is one of London’s most well-connected metropolitan hubs. Served by four rail stations, those being East Croydon, West Croydon and South Croydon in Zone 5, and Norwood Junction in Zone 4, the town is located on the A23 corridor which links London with the south coast.
Less than 10 miles from the M25 and just 15 minutes from central London and Gatwick Airport, Croydon is perfectly situated for regional, national and international travel.
4. Fantastic leisure opportunities
Living in Croydon presents an abundance of restaurants, pubs and bars, as well as a buzzing shopping scene. Furthermore, with the £1.4 billion Croydon Partnership project underway, the town is poised to become one of the UK’s top ten shopping destinations.
Nestled into Croydon’s restaurant quarter is an eclectic range of eateries, including a Michelin-rated restaurant together with a tempting assortment of global cuisine covering everything from Italian, French, Spanish and Greek to Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican and Persian, and of course, not forgetting British fayre.
Box Park Croydon is a fascinating pop-up mall, bringing together modern street food with local and global brands. The result is an exclusive dining and shopping experience that draws visitors from all over London and Surrey.
Purley Way is Croydon’s renowned out-of-town shopping experience. Here you’ll find a variety of retail parks, including Valley Retail and Leisure which is home to various high street stores and restaurants.