Orpington residents are a mix—retired couples who bicker about garden centres, young families trying to survive on three hours of sleep, and those mysterious folks who never seem to work but always have a tan. It’s like a sitcom waiting to happen.
People here are friendly, but not too friendly. You’ll get a nod from the postman and a wave from the lady at the dry cleaners. But if you try to start a deep conversation about philosophy in the queue at Waitrose, they’ll look at you like you’ve grown an extra head. Vibes only, please.
There’s also a strong sense of community during emergencies. When the power went out last winter, my neighbour brought over a flask of tea and a packet of Hobnobs. That’s Orpington in a nutshell: organised chaos with biscuits.
Living in Orpington: area guide to homes, schools and transport links
