Every compass point of the capital is distinctly different. So, what does South London have to offer? More specifically, what’s new for this part of London’s property market? Read on, and explore our guide to some of the top new build homes developments in South London.
New builds in South London: 10 highest rated developments
If the idea of living south of the river appeals to you, then it’s time to take a closer look. The following is our latest list of the 10 best new builds in South London, according to verified resident reviews. As always, these rankings are determined entirely by the scores given by residents, who are the ones best placed to judge!
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Long-term premium letting scheme The Quarters Croydon is our currently top-ranked new build development for South London. It offers residents a stylish and convenient base in this thriving South London suburb. There are 151 high-specification studios at the development, with Croydon station only a 4-minute walk away. Trains reach London Bridge in just 14 minutes, while Gatwick Airport is also easily accessible.
A close second, and also in Croydon, is Ten Degrees by Greystar. It sits in Central Croydon and comprises 546 apartments over 44 floors. It features a games room, rooftop gym, pet spa, screening room and co-working spaces. Residents also have access to a wide variety of transport links, allowing them to reach central London in just 15 minutes. Residents love the sleek modern style of the development. They also give the incredibly helpful management team near full marks.
In third, The Fold is a Build to Rent development by Urbanbubble that also sits in the heart of Croydon. The development offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, each with their own balcony. Additionally, the development is a short walk from BOXPARK and East Croydon station. Furthermore, residents benefit from private and communal dining spaces, a residents’ lounge, coworking spaces and meeting rooms.
Yet another build to rent star in Croydon makes it into the top 5. No.26 offers 183 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments managed by Native. They all include high-end kitchen appliances, Conran furnishings and king-sized beds. Additionally, being two minutes from East Croydon train station, there are direct connections into London, Brighton and Gatwick.
Taking the fifth spot on our list is Vertex House, also located in the heart of Croydon. Run by Zest Living, part of the Durkan Group, the development has 98 total residential units available for rent, shared ownership and as affordable housing. The apartments range in size from one to three bedrooms. Residents routinely mention the high-quality finish of the bathrooms and kitchens, and say that homes here are exceptionally well insulated.
Croydon stakes its claim to another spot on our list, this time with Bauhaus, a Durkan development. It comprises 189 1-3-bedroom apartments with sizeable community and retail spaces on the ground floor. The development is also conveniently placed between East Croydon and South Croydon stations, and is only a 10-minute walk from both.
Seventh place goes to Capella Court in Purley. This is a landmark building which has been converted into 86 modern and stylish apartments with many communal spaces including study areas, private offices for hire, games area and large open plan seating areas. Just a short walk from Purley Oaks station, this development is located within 2 miles of central Croydon.
At number eight, New South Quarter is a Barratt London development offering 496 properties ranging from studios to one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. The development itself is conveniently located in-between West Croydon station and Waddon station, just a 15-minute walk from both. Many of the flats overlook Wandle Park and the River Wandle, and all of them offer a spacious design that makes the most of the ample light coming in from their big windows.
Taking the penultimate spot in our top 10 for South London, The Well House offers one, two, three-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Residents have access to great on-site facilities, including a concierge and an expansive gym. Additionally, the development is a two-minute walk to Sutton station, providing rail services directly into Central London. Flats here are very spacious and offer plenty of storage solutions.
Rounding off the South London top 10 is Cane Hill Park, a residential development by Barratt Southern Counties located in Coulsdon. The development features a range of one to five-bedroom apartments only a short walk from Coulsdon South station, with trains serving directly into Central London in 27 minutes. Cane Hill Coulsdon is also only 20 minutes from Gatwick airport and yet boasts plentiful green, open spaces for residents to enjoy.
South London is a highly varied collection of boroughs south of the River Thames. While ‘technically’ every London borough south of the Thames is ‘South London’, both South East and South West London are very different in look and feel.
‘South London’ areas include the southerly suburban belt areas like Croydon, Sutton and Mitcham. If you want more specific details on the South East and South West London areas, click the links for our dedicated area guides.
Living in South London
South London offers outstanding variety in terms of living styles, access to amenities, green spaces, property price ranges, etc. Whatever your priority, you’ll be able to find a part of South London that suits your needs.
Given its diversity, it’s hard to make generalisations about what it’s like to live in South London. However, there are a few things that apply almost anywhere you look south of the Thames.
Firstly, South London is very green. It has a more leafy, suburban feel than its northern counterpart, particularly once you get further south towards the outer boroughs. Plus, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is on your doorstep. This gives South Londoners a peaceful, country-life feeling, even while they enjoy all the benefits of being in the capital.
Additionally, you’re spoilt for choice in terms of access to culture, retail, entertainment and dining scenes. Wherever you are in South London, you aren’t far from of major hub for all of the above. While North London may hold a greater density of ‘big ticket’ tourist attractions, there’s plenty of culture, convenience and charm to be found all over South London.
Overall, if you’re looking for the London lifestyle but at a more relaxed pace and a bit more space, choose South London.
Admittedly, South London is not quite as well developed in its transport network infrastructure as the northern portion of the capital. However, it is still exceptionally well connected, and offers lots of viable means of getting around. Major A-roads connect the different boroughs, and the orbital M25 makes getting out of London and toward other major centres a breeze.
Overall, the southern half of London is much worse off than the north in terms of London Underground lines and stations. It only has 29 stations compared to the over 250 in North London. However, upgrades are in the pipeline, with a substantial southbound extension to the Bakerloo Line due for completion in 2028/2029.
To compensate, TfL runs a substantial bus route network across South London. In addition, there are good Overground rail and ThamesLink connections. Plus, Croydon has London’s only working tram network, which transports over 30 million people annually!
South London property prices
At the time of writing (September 2023), the recorded average for South London property prices is around £606,000. This is according to Zoopla, though bear in mind that this covers a vast range of property types. From luxury new build developments to charming period homes and modest flats and terraces, South London’s property market is extremely diverse.
For a more detailed understanding of the prices you’re likely to encounter, it’s better to search by specific boroughs or districts. However, bear in mind that all South London property enjoys a premium price due to its proximity to all the benefits the capital has to offer.
Interested in seeing more of what South London has to offer? We have dedicated area guides for Croydon and Sutton. Here you’ll also find details on some of the best new build homes developments in South London.
For a long time, many of South London’s neighbourhoods had something of a bad name. But, this part of the capital has been heavily regenerated in recent years, and now has something for all backgrounds and budgets. It’s got transport links to write home Read more about South London
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
