Moving to Bromley

Written by Martha Lott Reviewed by Dave Sayce

23rd Jul 2020 (Last updated on 29th Sep 2023) 11 minute read

Property in Bromley

Bromley has a diverse range of property types including Georgian homes, Victorian buildings, small cottages, modern apartments and a few new developments where larger homes have since been converted into flats. Terraced homes, however, cover the heart of Bromley more than any other property type.

According to the UK House Price Index, Bromley currently has an average house price of £430,033, making it a fairly expensive area to live in the UK. It’s important to note that it is a town in South East London which explains the increased price. However, it is slightly lesser than London’s average which was last recorded as £485,794.

Other South East London boroughs may be more appropriate if you’re looking for a lower budget, but the price difference isn’t too extreme. Bexley has the cheapest average at £331,679 whilst Southwark has the highest at £488,610. This places Bromley somewhere in the middle between the two, making it the average price to expect in South East London.

Detached houses are the most expensive property type in Bromley with an average cost of £854,786. If you’re looking to significantly lower the price, semi-detached homes average at £521,985 whilst terrace houses have an even lower average of £384,316. For those looking to purchase smaller properties such as flats or maisonettes, the average currently stands at £284,711.

If you’re looking to rent rather than purchase your new home, Bromley’s current average asking rent is £1,279 pcm, according to Zoopla. For those searching for the perfect family home, 2-bedroom houses average at an asking rent of £1,365 pcm. Those searching for 1-bedroom flats, however, can expect an average of £867 pcm. These are significantly cheaper than London’s asking rent, with its overall average currently at £2,878 pcm.

There are many great rental websites in London you can use to find the perfect rental property.

Best Places to Live in Bromley

To help with your research before your Bromley move, Compare My Move has found the top 5 places to live in the area. We have also included the average asking price for each location as well as the average asking rent to help prospective buyers no matter what property type they’re searching for.

To help you set your final budget, we’ve listed the areas from the least expensive asking price to the most expensive, including a range of prices where possible.

Data collected from Zoopla, correct as of July 2020.

1. Anerley

Anerley currently has an average asking price of £437,744 and an asking rent of £1,148 pcm, making it one of the cheapest areas on our list. It is a fairly quiet suburb in London with a range of affordable Victorian houses to view. Local transportation is good making it perfect for those wishing to commute.

With friendly locals and a number of green spaces, it’s often popular with growing families trying to find their perfect home. It is also very pet-friendly with great access to parks and open fields and a number of pet-friendly accommodations.

2. Penge

Next on our list is Penge which is especially popular with young professionals, investors and first-time buyers. The average asking price is also £437,744 which, again, is another affordable price compared to other areas of London. The low house prices are often why many first-time buyers prefer the area, with great transport links attracting commuters and young professionals also.

3. Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace has previously been named the best place to live in London as a whole, but the slightly increased average asking of £451,578 has lowered its position on our list. With its period charm and beautiful views, the area is most popular among young professionals and families. Central London is only 20 minutes away by train and there are a number of places that provide entertainment.

4. Beckenham

Beckenham is a more affluent area with an average asking price of £515,675 and an average asking rent of £1,461 pcm. Young families and couples often flock to this area due to the many bars, eateries and great houses. As it’s 10 miles from Central London and just east outside of Bromley town centre, it provides the perfect home away from the chaos of city life whilst also still being great for commuters.

5. Orpington

Many families choose Orpington as a place to call home due to the many well-respected schools located within the area. It may be the most expensive area on our list with an average asking price of £533,101, but it offers a range of beautiful and spacious properties that are perfect for growing families. It’s about a half-hour journey to London’s centre, making it a great home for those wishing to commute for work.

Schools and Education in Bromley

Due to the quality of the schools nearby, Bromley is often a favourite amongst those moving with families. There are many popular primary and secondary schools with high-performance ratings and reports, including a mix of both independent and state schools.

To help you with your research before you start securing a place for your children, Compare My Move has created a brief list of the top 5 primary and secondary schools in Bromley. We have used data from School Guide, as well as the latest information from Ofsted.

The 5 Best Primary Schools in Bromley:

The 5 Best Secondary Schools in Bromley:

For those searching for higher education, Bromley College of Further & Higher Education is a partner college of six of the twelve schools of the University of Greenwich. It is situated just south of Bromley town centre and offers a variety of vocational courses. Along with the Bexley, Greenwich and Orpington campuses, Bromley College of Further & Higher Education is also part of the London South East Colleges.

Where to Work in Bromley

According to PayScale, the average yearly salary in Bromley is £29,000. However, as a comparison, the statistics websites Plumplot states that in 2019, the average yearly salary was as high as £37,600 which was slightly above the UK’s overall average of £37,400.

The London Borough of Bromley has one of the largest economies in Outer London, with just over 13,000 businesses and an estimated 129,000 jobs according to the Bromley Consultation Portal. Around two-thirds of jobs in the Borough are taken by local residents whilst around 55% of the local population commute outside of the area for work. Bromley also has one of the highest gross disposable incomes in the UK.

There are a number of employment sectors to choose from in Bromley, with banking, finance and insurance being the major one currently. Over 5,300 workplaces operate under this type of sector, making up around 41% of the workforce. Other thriving sectors include distribution, hotels and restaurants and construction. For comparison, there are around 3,000 workplaces in the distribution, hotels and restaurants sector, and over 1,500 in the construction sector.

Transport in Bromley

Living in Bromley is great for commuters as it has a variety of transport on offer, including regular bus services, 26 railway stations, Biggin Hill airport and the Tramlink. Located in South East London, it borders Croydon, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.

London Victoria Station is just a 15-minute train journey away from Bromley South Station, while regular shuttle trains from Bromley North offer connections into Cannon Street and also Charing Cross. Across the borough, other stations can be found in Bickley, Sundridge Park and Shortlands. There is also Ashford International which is only a train journey away from Bromley South, offering the use of the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels.

The borough is well connected by bus, with routes taking you across London. There's also a regular night service to Trafalgar Square and Oxford Circus. The west of the borough is served by the Tramlink with links to Croydon and Wimbledon.

If you’re a cyclist then it’s good to know that the borough has around 100 miles of cycle paths and routes, which include off-road paths along Waterlink Way and through Jubilee Park. You can provide detailed maps of these cycle routes at local libraries and bike shops.

Entertainment in Bromley

Unlike London City Centre, Bromley isn’t often considered as a ‘tourist hub’. There are still plenty of sites to see and things to do, but it’s not as packed as many UK cities as it is only considered a town. However, there are many independent stores and local amenities that are popular among homeowners.

Bromley North Village is currently undergoing a multimillion-pound improvement designed to attract more independent retailers and restaurants. Your usual chain restaurants, such as Pizza Express, Zizzi and Nando’s are situated primarily on Widmore Road. Café culture thrives in Bromley’s bustling high street. Take a break at Brodies Café for a re-energising coffee, or head to Lavender House in the Sunbridge Park Village Area.

For those more inclined to do a bit of retail therapy, Bromley is just a short train journey away from all the prestigious shops that Central London has to offer. However, there is also an array of independent and well-known shops throughout the borough, including Intu Shopping Centre and The Glades. From Primark to Sainsbury’s, all the popular chain-stores are available as well.

One of Bromley’s most popular attractions is the Bromley Little Theatre which has showcased a variety of local talent since 1938. Churchill Theatre is also a popular choice, with 700 seats to accommodate a number of shows throughout the year, including national touring shows, panto and hard-hitting dramas.

Ripley Arts Centre displays a variety of work from local artists and hosts concerts in its evocative setting. But, if you’re more of a sports person, there’s also Bromley Golf Club and Bromley Cricket Club which is one of the best in the country. The Pavilion Leisure Centre also contains a bowling alley, gym and cafe.

Crime Rate in Bromley

Although Bromley doesn’t have the lowest crime rate in London, it also doesn’t have the highest compared to other London boroughs. Like any other thriving and highly-populated area, there are places with higher crime rates as well as the safer and quieter locations within the borough.

In 2019, a study was conducted to discover the safest and most dangerous areas of Bromley. It was declared that the most dangerous area was Bromley Town Centre, with over 3,238 crimes reported to the Met Police in 2018. This works out at an average of 62 crimes per week. Of the crimes committed, 1,667 were reported as theft and 845 were violence.

The safest area in Bromley was found to be Darwin. This area had the lowest crime rate within the borough with only 253 crimes reported in 2018. Of these crimes, 87 were for theft, 74 for violence and 40 for burglary.

For more recent statistics, Plumplot has assessed the crime rates in Bromley from June 2019 to May 2020. This data revealed that antisocial behaviour-related crimes were the most commonly reported in Bromley, making up of over 25% of all crimes committed in the area. Violent crimes had the second-highest percentage, closely followed by vehicle crime.

Save Money on Your Bromley Move

If you’ve decided that Bromley is indeed the home for you, don’t forget to compare removal quotes with Compare My Move to save yourself both time and money when arranging your moving day. You’ll be connected with the best Bromley removal companies available, ensuring you have an efficient and stress-free move with a professional team on hand to help. Additionally, we can place you in contact with the best movers and packers in London.

You can even compare conveyancing and surveying quotes with us to help you complete the buying or selling process. Whether you need a trusted conveyancing solicitor or are organising a survey, we can connect you with the best in the business.