London ‘dump’ crowned England’s most appealing neighbourhood to live in

Despite being labelled an ‘absolute dump’ on social media, Sutton now boasts the title of England’s most appealing neighbourhood.

The (Greater) South London town won out in a recent ranking, which looked at factors like anti-social behaviour and homeownership rates, access to green space, the number of cafés, pubs and community spaces nearby, local council award wins, and interest in community events. 

Up against 54 locations across the country, Sutton narrowly pipped Chester and Durham to top spot, ‘achieving the strongest combined performance across the indicators analysed’.

Researchers from John D Wood & Co praised its relatively moderate anti-social behaviour levels (15.6 reports per 1,000 residents) and high homeownership rate (65%), as well as the number of public gardens in the area (5.84 within a 1,000-metre radius).

Overall, Sutton ended up with a higher Neighbourhood Appeal Index than some of the capital’s traditionally upmarket boroughs, including Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham.

And while it may not be as well-known as these swanky spots, it’s fast gaining a reputation among househunters seeking comfortable London living without the eye-watering price tag.

‘Sutton has always appealed to buyers looking for a more balanced London lifestyle and that appeal has only strengthened in recent years,’ Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, tells Metro.

‘It offers the sort of family-focused environment that many London movers now prioritise, namely good schools, more green space, a stronger sense of community and significantly better value for money compared to many other commuter hotspots.’

Things to do in Sutton

As the research explored, there’s lots of green space around here, withBeddington Park, Manor Park, and Sutton Ecology Centre making for great nature-filled days out, along with nearby Mayfield Lavender Fields, which becomes a sea of fragrant purple June to August.

On a rainy day, the Honeywood Museum on the edge of Carshalton Ponds brings the borough’s history to life, while Family Fun Zone in the St Nicholas Centre offers 12 different indoor activities, including archery, crafts, and children’s and adults soft play.

After a bit of retail therapy? You’ll also find plenty of options within the aforementioned mall and at Times Square (not that one, obviously), with a monthly ‘pop-up’ market showcasing locally-produced wares held every month at the northern end of Sutton High Street.

You’re equally spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink in Sutton. Grab brunch at the award-winning La Cafe, pasta at Casa Nostra, or top-curry at Cricket Lounge — along with a cheeky pint at Shinner and Sudtone in between.

Sutton transport links

Around 10 miles from central London, Sutton is in easy reach for commuters, with regular trains into London Bridge, Blackfriars or Victoria taking between 30 to 50 minutes depending on the route.

Alternatively, there are plenty of local buses available, as well as express coach services to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Property prices in Sutton

‘While the average house price across London currently sits at £542,304, the average across Sutton borough is considerably lower at £457,497, despite the area offering excellent transport connections,’ says Marc.

‘In fact, buyers with a budget in line with the current UK average house price of £267,957 can still secure a one or two-bed flat in areas such as SM1, something that simply isn’t realistic across large parts of the city.’

In terms of the area to go for, he notes that what makes the property market in Sutton ‘particularly attractive’ is the wide ‘variety’ of locales.

Marc explains: ‘Areas such as South Sutton and Cheam Village continue to command strong demand from families due to their larger homes, village feel and highly regarded schools.

‘Meanwhile locations such as Sutton Common and North Cheam are increasingly popular with younger buyers and commuters seeking more affordable access to London.’

What locals say about living there

According to Marc, SM ‘is not necessarily viewed as one of London’s trendiest postcodes,’ but remains among its ‘most practical, stable and consistently desirable places to live.’

But there are some on Reddit and Facebook who disagree.

In fact, one commenter called Sutton ‘a very boring place’, another said it’s an ‘absolute dump’, and a third added: ‘It’s awful now. I’d move tomorrow if I could.’

On the opposite end of the spectrum though, one resident described Sutton as ‘a great place to bring a family up’; a sentiment echoed by Tracy, who’s lived in the borough for 13 years, and loves its walkability, access to nature, and range of businesses from shops to pubs.

‘Your home is what you make it,’ she writes. ‘Plenty of people will moan, but we lived in central London before, and we have far more here than we ever had there. We won’t ever move out the area.’

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