A prestigious London suburb has found itself amid two others in the running to be lumped with the title of Britain’s “most depressing” town.
Orpington perches itself on the Kent-London border, and is flanked by desirable villages of Knockholt, Farnborough, Keston and Pratts Bottom.
It’s a town that enjoys the best of both worlds – direct access to the capital with an enviable commute time, and space to breathe in the open countryside.
But according to satirical website, iLiveHere, it is potentially joining the likes of Croydon and Hounslow in claiming a new, unwanted title, for 2024.
One resident previously labelled it: ““One of the most depressing s******** on Earth”.
iLiveHere pits British towns against each other every year, but for 2024 it is specifically looking at “bland, boring, soul destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void” in its hunt to crown a winner.
The website leaves a stinging review of life in Orpington, and adds: “Mums with buggies, hoopy gold earrings and pastel coloured market tracksuits with snotty nosed chav-to-be brats, with little fake Burberry hats.”
But not everyone will agree with this sentiment. The area is prided on attracting the higher bracket house buyer, with the average prices sitting at a whopping £612,426 according to RightMove.
“Properties in Orpington are becoming increasingly sought-after by young professionals who want a more affordable housing solution within striking distance of London,” say property experts at Yopa.
MyLondon says it also has a “bustling high street”, and is not the closest of the towns to meet the “most depressing place” threshold just yet. Orpington only has 0.25 percent of the vote so far, it added.
Estate agents Robinson Jackson also say it is “basking in the glory” of a recent town centre regeneration. This includes a new Odeon cinema.
And, the up and coming area is said to be attracting more families due to its proximity to Ofsted-rated outstanding schools. Orpington is not the only town iLiveHere takes aim at.
In fact, it lists countless British towns in its 2024 poll, claiming that the town of Sittingbourne in Kent was the “inspiration” behind the voting idea in the first place.
Farnborough in Cornwall has made “the biggest gains” when it comes to votes, it says – but time is not yet up and the unsavoury title is yet to be awarded.
