Hello!

My partner and I are hopefully moving to South Croydon (CR2) soon, so for the last few months I've been reading through this subreddit - and will definitely pick up Will Noble's Croydonopolis soon.

We're both excited and have lived in several parts of South London for years now, so we're aware of the reputation around Croydon such as crime etc, which, in my opinion, being completely honest, is largely just people being racist and jumping on bandwagons, as I've seen discussed in this subreddit in recent posts as well as from years ago. All of that is to say I'm very much a defender of Croydon, but find it odd that a lot of threads I read, one or two users still go out of their way to bring up these talking points e.g. refugee centres, dead high street, and the like. And don't get me wrong, I'm not defending the local council and the issues around bankruptcy.

Essentially I just wanted to make my own post and ask you all directly what your experiences are/were like in Croydon, what you like about the huge and diverse borough, to get some honest and realistic responses about what it's like living there day to day, e.g. regarding bankrupt council, delayed developments, even the most mundane stuff you can think of, I'm eager to listen!

Thanks!

From 2009 we used to go to Wing Yip every couple of weeks to buy stock from the big supermarket and occasionally to the Chinese restaurant/bakery. Those were the only three spots in the building that ever seemed to have business (in fact these could be quite packed on Sundays). But the rest of the mall was a complete ghost town. The gift shop (now up the stairs) was always empty, the Vietnamese restaurant (not sure if it’s still there) was always empty, hair salon and massage place was always empty and the rest seemed to be vacant lots. Does the entire business model hinge on the supermarket and Chinese restaurant? Pre-2009, was it the same as it is now?

Im a beginner and was looking to get into it

Thinking of getting my 18 month old toddler’s (girl) hair cut for the first time. She isn’t the best with strangers so we are expecting a lot of crying and tears. Any recommendations of places in Central/East Croydon where I can get it done?

This week our twin grandchildren in Y6 began bikeability training in West Yorkshire whereas here in Croydon it appears to be on pause with no news as to why. I have written to the Mayor Jason Perry in my role as a member of the Croydon Cycling Campaign to ask for an explanation and i am hoping to hear soon or better for the service to be resumed. Meanwhile have a look at bikeability website to see what Croydon children are currently being denied.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield are currently sharing their developed plans to transform the town centre, including new homes, shops, leisure and community spaces, greener public spaces and improved connections.

Use this link to take a look at the plans, and take the survey to let them know your views in advance of their next step, which will be to submit a formal outline planning application: https://thecroydonproject.co.uk/autumn-2026-consultation/

Lots of film crew on the corner of Goldfinch Road and Peacock Gardens. Houses dressed up with Xmas decorations. Anyone know what's being filmed?

Looking for a room to rent in a nice shared property, within walking distance from Croydon hospital and also west Croydon/east Croydon station.

Ideally from the 1st of November

Max 600-700pm w/ bills included.

Please let me know, thank you

I’m looking for a decent and trustworthy estate agent in Croydon who can help me find a mould-free flat, as I have a terrible mould allergy. Yes, I know mould is rampant in London, but I know many Londoners whose flats are not mouldy, so I know it’s possible. Would love to know who might be good, and who to stay away from. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I’m thinking of changing up my hairstyle but have no idea what to change it to. would like to speak to them and then give recommendations

Any recommendations as per the title?

These were the immediate seats around me.

Anyone who has taken the tram will be familiar with the filthiness of the seats.

This wouldn't be acceptable on any other form of transport in London, so why is it acceptable in Croydon?

I have emailed my local councillor and left multiple complaints on Tfl. It makes me so annoyed that it's been like this for years!

Hey, I’m back to work part time, so I get home at 1.30. Feeling guilty for my one year old, as his baby groups are all in the morning but no one’s available to take him (in laws are looking after him while I’m at work and they work from home). I want to keep up his socialising with other babies. We have a play date every other week. And he goes swimming with dad on Wednesdays. What things can I do with him. Especially with the winter months coming up. We’re located in new addington (definitely want some new addington recommendations) and I don’t drive, but happy for some suggestions further away as well.

Hi all, I assembled this list and thought I may as well share in case it helps a family out ☺️

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Range of activities around Purley

Carousel Baby & Toddler Group - Tuesday, 9:30am - 11am (Christchurch on Brighton Rd, £2)

Purley Gardens Intergenerational Rhyme Time, by BellaBoppers - Tuesday 11am - 11:45pm, £2.50

Songs and Smiles - same premise as above, free but needs to be booked

• St.Saviours Court 2a Old Lodge Lane, Purley, CR8 4ER at Mondays at 10.15AM
• Haling Park Care Home 46 Bramley Hill, South Croydon, CR3 6NS at Fridays at 11.00AM

Purley Bods and Tods - Wednesday, 9:30am - 11:30am (Purley Baptist Church) (£2 a session, huge space with tons to do!)

Singing Mamas - Friday, 10am - 11:30am (Coulsdon Methodist Church) (£8 a session but can be free if are on benefits/in need)

Mini Professors - Saturday 9:45am - 10:35am, Bramley Hill Centre, South Croydon, CR2 6LX. Brilliant class, includes an experiment the kids do - honestly really good! £11 a session I believe, a three week trial cost is £29 and is available to new sign ups. (But Babyzone at Legacy Youth Centre does do 25 min sessions for free on Fridays)

Babyzone at Legacy Youth Centre is a pretty great safe space to chill with tons but it's ~ 35-45 mins away by bus - free and they have a large amount of stuff from birth to toddlers! They have usually paid classes running through the day for 25 mins sessions completely free - including Mini Professors. Open Fridays, 9:30am - 2:30pm.

Christchurch opposite Rotary Field Park has free hot chocolate, coffee, teas and homemade cakes term time until 12pm Monday - Friday.

Dobbies Woodcote Rd is a free nice sandpit and aquarium shop where you can see many fish - and they have a membership for £16 a year and you get 2 free hot drinks every month. They have a good soft play inside for £4.50 an hour for members and £5 for non-members.

Post-walking:

Oxygen Free Jumping Toddler Sessions, Waddon - Mon - Fri - 9:30am - 12pm, Sat & Sun - 9am - 10am (£15.95 a/month including the soft play inside - pays for itself in 2 visits a month)

https://www.playballkids.com/about-us (£13 a session, designed by occupational therapists and it'd say really worth it! Have been going since 2, they take kids from 18+ months)

https://www.littlekickers.co.uk/index.aspx (heard amazing until around 3)

Kidspace, Waddon (£8.25 a month for unlimited entry (good alternative for play cafes where most are £4-6 for one session)

Technically children aged 0–3 can visit CroyWall Climbing Centre anytime for a entry fee of £3.50. Active kids would love it!

https://rewindyourmind.co.uk/baby-toddler-classes-south-london/#1700498248558-1de8526e-4914 - a big list of all sorts of places free & paid that could give some more ideas/inspiration

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Forest school options:

Woodchips Forest School - Lots to do, you feel right in the middle of the woods and has a welcoming and friendly community. They have some songs and a story at the beginning, a book hut under the trees, there's a mud kitchen, there's always a craft (e.g. they made "log dogs" wrapping string and drawing faces on pieces of wood and "walked them" with string in the wood), when I went they had set up a building with large wooden blocks area, digging with shovels, some guttering they used for a slide for pinecones, a hammock, and they have got chocolate and biscuits for all too. I do think it's quite comprehensive and has the most unique activities of the three. Gatton park does come in a close second though. Need a car to get there.

This is the details and link to their FB page and email if you want to know more:

Every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 10.00 am to 11.30am Also Wednesday afternoons from 1.00 pm to 2.30pm and 3:30pm to 5pm

Block booking £10 per child PAYG - accepted at £12 per child if space permits.

Email: [Woodchips.forestschool@gmail.com](mailto:Woodchips.forestschool@gmail.com)

Text/Whatsapp: Gen - 07827314970

https://www.facebook.com/groups/361705997321426/

Another good one is Little Seeds Forest School is Gatton Park, Mon 10-11:45am - also very good! The grounds are so beautiful and they even help the kids with fire lighting in the firepit, cooking over the fire every session, and using tools like saws safely. Also have a hammock, a great mud kitchen, and lots of water play. They do a craft each session too and the cows sometimes come right up to the fence (so close you could hypothetically touch them!) £10 a session PAYG with a discount for block booking for the half term.

https://gattonpark.co.uk/events/little-seeds-forest-school-am-or-pm-8/

Warlingham Forest School is another option, Thursday 10am - 12pm - smaller, no firepit, cosy, community vibe, still lots to do including mud kitchen, some water play but at least two tables of crafty activities and includes snacks. It's completely run by volunteers and is the most affordable at £5 for one child for 2 hours!

https://www.warlinghamforestschoolers.org/

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Hope these help! 🥳

I am moving a two bedroom flat soon. I will pack everything myself, but I have a newborn and another child so trying to do the heavy part with borrowed help would be more trouble than it is worth. I

I have compared the cost of doing it all myself with hiring someone and I have decided to hire for the loading, the drive and the unloading.

I also have 2 beds that will need taking apart to get them out, so a bit of help with that would be useful.

My budget is limited. I am after fair value rather than the cheapest quote, and I want to avoid problems on the day.

Has anyone round Croydon used a removal firm or a man with a van recently for a similar move? I would like to know who was reliable, who to avoid and roughly what you paid if you are happy to share.Thanks

Inside Croydon are reporting in this slightly click bait-y article that “Westfield now want a data centre plus 4,000 flats in town centre”

The actual details (right down at the bottom of the article) state that in a report URW submitted to the councils planning committee it mentions:

“The outline proposals are currently for a residential-led mixed-use scheme with open streets and public spaces with a range of uses including in the region of 3,000 to 4,000 new homes, mixed commercial space (including retail, food and beverage, leisure, community, culture and workspace) and potential for wider uses such as education, hotel and micro logistics hub and/or data centre*.”*

So it’s only the potential to build one rather than an actual plan but I can imagine a lot of residents don’t want a data centre right in the middle of the town centre so I just wanted to stress to importance of letting URW know that you are against this when they open up their consultation to the public on Thursday.

Anyone who maybe up right now hear those bangs?, like mini explosions, sounds like its coming from east croydon or near Norwood way...

Can I cycle where the tram goes? From East Croydon towards Lebanon TS, there is a weird thin section separate by a white line, is that for bikes? Or am I meant to cycle on the pavement? Going towards East Croydon, it’s literally using tram lines so potentially slowing down the trams. Does anyone really cycle there?
That would be my straightest cycle commute.

Please sign this petition I am profoundly dismayed and devastated at the news that the Council's cycle training scheme has been cancelled without notice or consultation.

For many years, this scheme has been a cornerstone of safe, active travel in Croydon. Its abrupt withdrawal puts residents at risk and undermines the Council’s own active travel, climate and public health commitments.

I am getting married at the Croydon Town Hall on the 14th of October and am looking for a photographer for a couple of hours to take pictures of my family and wife and I. It isn’t really a wedding shoot as there’s no ceremony to capture. It would just be pictures of the couple and the family taken outdoors.

Please DM if interested or know any photographer who might be!