WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IN SHIRLEY, NOW.
Nestled on the borders of Croydon and Bromley, Shirley is a friendly South London suburb, populated by a tight-knit community of families and young couples. Steeped in history – Shirley is home to a 172-year old landmark windmill – the area offers its residents the best of both idyllic green scenery and a cosy town feel.
As a still relatively undiscovered property gem, Shirley’s profile is set to rise from the current multi-billion-pound regeneration of Croydon, making now an excellent time to buy in this future property hotspot.
Still unsure? Read on to find out why you should make the move to Shirley sooner, rather than later.
Value for £££
Family-friendly houses dominate Shirley’s property portfolio, with a wide range of detached, semi-detached and terraced homes available for families keen to settle down. And as a comparatively lesser-known area than its counterparts of Bromley or West Wickham, Shirley offers better value for money when it comes to prices for property – at the moment. With Croydon currently under-going serious investment, potential buyers would be wise to make the move before prices start to climb.
Regeneration
As the recipient of a £5.25bn borough-wide redevelopment project, Croydon is set to make its mark on London’s landscape. Investment in public transport, Croydon’s culture and the modernisation of the town centre have been boosted by the recent approval of a brand-new Westfield Shopping Centre. Earmarked for completion in 2020, Westfield Croydon will be home to hundreds of new shops, bringing Croydon’s shopping experience into the 21st century.
And Shirley is reaping the benefits, with developments of new flats and town houses appearing on the market, which are ideal for first-time buyers and young families. But the area has still retained its local community vibe, with the high street filled with independent establishments such as the newly-opened Italian bistro, Romeo and old favourite, Mama’s Cake Shop.
Transport Links
Despite not having its own train station, Shirley’s local transport links are excellent. A 5-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk gets commuters to the hubbub of East Croydon station, which offers speedy trains into London, or out to Brighton and London Gatwick. Additionally, a warren of bus routes with frequent services make getting to the nearby towns of Bromley, Beckenham, West Wickham, Penge, Lower Sydenham, Addington Village and Thornton Heath, a quick and convenient journey.
Family-orientated
Offering a choice of several excellent local schools for both the little ones and bigger kids, Shirley is ideal for families looking to lay roots for the long-run. Harris Primary Academy Benson and St. John’s Primary School are especially popular amongst parents, as well as Orchard Way Primary School and Monks Orchard Primary School – read our blog on primary schools
here. And, Coloma Covent Girls’ School and Oasis Academy Shirley Park Secondary provide older children with fantastic educational opportunities.