ASH: “I have a bit of history with Croydon! I went to a convent girls’ school in Shirley in the 1990s, when Croydon was THE place to be. Proper shopping, Blue Orchid, Pals, Bud World, Water Palace and you felt safe! I actually lived in Balham (when I was at school) before it was trendy (let’s be honest, it was pretty rough in the 80s and 90s!), so I’ve seen how areas can transform. I moved to South Croydon four years ago and love how well connected it is – the route into London is brilliant. Despite it’s reputation, Croydon has beautiful green spaces and lovely independent coffee shops, restaurants and vibey feels”
Find me @AshMulvey_

JADE: “I was born in Croydon and went to school and college here too. I also got married in Croydon and gave birth to two children here.
So I’ve seen Croydon through different decades.
What I love about Croydon is that it is so welcoming. Everyone fits here. All races cultures, religions and sexualities. You can literally travel the world with the food offerings here! I enjoy cooking and I find it so easy to buy exotic fruits and vegetables in Surrey Street or West Croydon.
We have great green spaces for a London borough. Our transport links are excellent. I drive and I often leave my car at home because it is just so easy to get around with public transport.
I love that Croydonians are embracing the positive message that some of us are trying to put out there about finding things to love about your town”.
Find me @JadeInCroydon

PATRICE: “For me, Croydon has and always will be home and so there’s that genuine love and appreciation for the Borough that I grew up in and achieved most of my goals. I love how culturally inclusive Croydon is. We have a lot of people from all different backgrounds living here and I feel that Croydon has a lot to offer all the communities that live in the Borough. From restaurants, markets, clothing shops – people can still feel connected to their culture with people and places that can fulfil those needs. Croydon also has some really great green spaces! As someone who grew up here, went to school here and still resides in the borough, I have really come to appreciate the green spaces over the years, especially since the pandemic. Having access to nature is such an important thing, especially when it comes to looking after your mental health, keeping fit or just having somewhere that you can spend time with friends and family”.
Find me @Patrice.Culture

HARRIET: “Croydon is diverse and accepting, it’s uber friendly (I’ve made more friends in Thornton Heath than in anywhere else I’ve lived!), it’s got beautiful natural spaces to escape into (like Norwood Lakes and Addington Hills), it has one of the best views in London. And there’s so much to do – from Salsa classes at Tropics 68 to an urban Buddhist retreat at the Croydon Buddhist centre and everything in-between. Croydon is a community that pulls together”. 
Find me @FeelGoodWalk

NATHAN: “What I love about Croydon is the mix of cultures and the amount of great independent food spots. You can walk through somewhere like Surrey Street Market and find food from all over the world within a few minutes. There are so many great local businesses and stories here that don’t always get the spotlight, which is something I enjoy highlighting through my content”.
Find me @TalkWithFlavour

BEVERLY: “I love how inclusive & diverse Croydon feels. Moving here helped me immerse myself in new cultures; it’s arty, creative, & full of energy. I love how culture mixes with nature, with so many hidden parks & peaceful places to wander. There’s always something happening, from local events & vibrant street art to the cutest independent cafés. I also love surprising people who have misconceptions about Croydon showing them just how many beautiful, friendly & inspiring spaces this area has to offer”.
Find me @lovebev_xoxo

NARA: “I love how Croydon has something for everyone. There’s so much diversity – from the food & people to the places you can explore. I really enjoy how there’s always something new happening, whether it’s a cool cafe opening up or a hidden gem you never knew existed. Croydon is always growing & you can feel the energy here. The fact that it’s so close to London but still has its own unique vibe makes it even better. It’s easy to fall in love with this place, & I feel lucky to call it home. 
Find me @NaraParanaPhotography

ZOE: “I love Croydon’s characters, its communities & its history. I have lived here all my life, and my family have been here since the 60s.  I have a deep-set belief that people in Croydon deserve nice things – this is the mantra that I recite every time people ask questions like ‘Why Croydon?’. I think that it is a direct affront to Croydon’s detractors – why shouldn’t people in Croydon have access to the same opportunities, events, and community that other boroughs and areas do?  Everywhere you look in Croydon there are pockets of deeply rooted, highly engaged communities that deserve the space and time to shine.”
Find me @Z.owie808

CHARLOTTE: “I’ve lived in Croydon for 9 years now. The original perception I had of it was, to be frank, that it was not a nice place to be. However, the more I have explored the area, the more I have discovered how cool it actually is. It has great restaurants, cafes and bars/pubs, so much history and there’s always something new popping up. Now I am a mum to a toddler, I’m exploring a different side to Croydon – it’s so family friendly with lots to do for each generation. I also think that we are very lucky to have so many green spaces – they are a welcome oasis for us sleep deprived mums!” Find me @Charlotte.ei.ldn.

IBRAHIM: “I knew nothing about Croydon when I first moved here in 2018, except for the fact that it was where Mark and Jez lived. Admittedly, it took a while to grow on me – but in time I understood that Croydon was filled with history, character and – most importantly – a strong sense of community. It’s simultaneously big and small, which might sound strange, but it means it gives you exactly what you want. Craving anonymity? The hustle and bustle of this town means you can lose yourself in the crowd. Craving community? Go down and say “hi!” to the Venezuelan family making scrumptious empanadas on Surrey Street market. As an Egyptian, that diversity matters to me. That’s what I love about Croydon: it feels like a microcosm of the world.” Find me at @ibrahim.kamel3.

RASHIDA: “I often tell people that I would not be the woman I am today if I wasn’t raised in Croydon. I truly believe it’s one of the best places in the world and I rep it with everything in me! My favourite thing is how diverse it is and how people from all over the world and from all different walks of life can be found living here. As a child of immigrant parents, I have never felt far from my roots or disconnected from my culture, as I have always found people like me and from my country living in Croydon. My parents moved here in the 90’s and found a community of people that really helped them to build a home away from home and this has shaped how I’ve grown up”. Find me at @rashidaamanda_ or @wineafter9pod