Purley is a suburb on the southern edge of London, near Croydon. It is popular with families because of the wide range of comparatively affordable family homes and good selection of schools, as well as the good access to green and open space and the countryside. Purley residents don't have to give up the conveniences of London, though - with four train stations, offering quick journeys to Victoria and London Bridge, and the amenities of Croydon accessible by a quick bus ride, Purley offers the best of both worlds.
Purley has staying power, partly because of its good stock of family homes and popularity with families. However, new people are attracted to the area as well, some of whom are moving further out from South London in search of more space.
Purley is a safe place to live. In 2014/2015, the crime rate and violence against the person rate were both about 5% lower than the rates for London as a whole. For the period between October 2016 and September 2017, the most common crime types in this area were violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and other theft.
Parking in Purley is a little better than average for a London suburb. Road links in Purley are great, with the A22 and A23 offering access to the M23 and M25. The rate of car ownership is high for London, at more than one car per household.
There's a small range of restaurants in Purley's centre. However, Croydon is nearby and easily reached by public transport, and offers a very wide range of nightlife options including nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and theatres.
Purley is an excellent place to look for a family home, with a wide selection of houses in all styles and periods that have multiple bedrooms, and many detached homes with gardens. Schools in this area are generally good, and offer a range of options including grammar schools, state primary and secondary schools, and private schools. Because it's on the edge of London, Purley has easy access to the countryside. However, there's no shortage of green and open space within the area, either: Foxley Wood, Happy Valley Park and Farthing Downs, and Roundshaw Downs are all within the neighbourhood. There are also several playing fields and other sport facilities in the area, including pools and golf clubs. About 1 in 5 Purley residents is a child aged 0-15.
Purley would be a good place to own a pet. Located on the edge of London, Purley has easy access to the countryside. However, there's no shortage of green and open space within the area, either: Foxley Wood, Happy Valley Park and Farthing Downs, and Roundshaw Downs are all within the neighbourhood. The range of housing on offer also includes plenty of homes that would be suitable for pets, including detached houses with gardens.
Purley is very well-connected, with four Zone 6 train stations serving the area: Purley, Purley Oaks, Riddlesdown, and Reedham. It takes as little as half an hour to get to either Victoria or London Bridge. The area is also well-served by buses, including buses convenient for journeys into Croydon. Road links in Purley are very good, with the A22 or the A23 offering convenient links to the M23 and M25.