where would you live for work in central london and guildford?

[forevergreek]

we currently live in zone 2 london), both myself and dh work in the same zone so have short commutes. however dh has been offered a good position in guildford. would you commute from london out to guildford for dh, or around guildford into london for me?

the main thing is i work 7.45-6.45 3 days, and 7.45- 11pm 2 days, and dh will be 9-5. Atm i leave at 7.30 and am home for 7pm (or 11.15pm). with an hours commute i would have to be out 6.45am and home 7.45pm (12pm). dh would have to leave 8am and home 6pm if he commuted.

in general it would make sense for us all to move and get a bigger place etc in surrey, but we are both worried about commuting. dh says he would rather he commuted than me as i already am out the house more hours.

the other option is a half way point. where by we both commute for say 30mins each. this would make sense but would then both need a car and the expense entailed (currently have no car). if this happens what would be an area you would recommend? i would need to get near hyde park for work, and dh guildford. only ideas for location so far is wimbledon (can use the tube to get in maybe- but taxi for late nights, then just one car).

we would be renting with a budget of around £1500 a month. currently all in a 1 bed so any options fine.

[dinkystinky]

Commute out to Guildford for your dh and see how it goes - he will be going against the main commute flow so should find it less stressful and trains should be plentiful.

[Sunnywithshowers]

If you decide to move to Surrey, Redhill or Dorking are good for both Guildford and central London.

[chickydoo]

Maybe Surbiton area. Lots to rent property wise.
Surbiton-Waterloo 18 mins
Surbiton-Guildford about the same.

[forevergreek]

dinky - i think he will definitely drive, as it will save time (his office would actually be about 30 min walk from station).

off to look at dorking/redhill. thanks

[aftermay]

Surbiton is a good option. But I'd rather stay put until you see how it goes. You can't beat a 15 min commute home.

[forevergreek]

exactly, it is a 15 min walk home as well so no commuting fees at all. it is all preliminary as he has a month to accept, then 3 months to decide whether to stay so would be looking at moving September earliest if we do decide.

[dinkystinky]

Do you have kids forevergreek? If so, if you do move, what will you do for childcare? Definitely something worth looking into at the same time as potential moves.

[WhataSook]

I would stay in London and let DH commute out. He will be going mostly against the traffic and with the hours you work, I think it would be better for you to have the shorter commute.

Plus correct me if I'm wrong, I think I've seen threads where you've said you like where you live? I wouldnt move in that case for a job.

[forevergreek]

yes, 2 pre schoolers. our work schedule is pretty complicated/ more unusual than above in that one of us actually works for home also part the time, children come to work with me two days, and part time nanny the other times. its def something to consider.

[forevergreek]

whatasook- yes we do love our location/home. a move was more in our end of 5 year plans rather than 5 months, hence we are all a little thrown with the idea.

[WhataSook]

I sort of had the same dilemma, about who should have the better commute, DH won! But I only travel into the office 3 days a week and he has to go in 5 days, and with that in mind, and what we could afford to buy in London, it worked well for us.

[denialandpanic]

DP used to commute from Kingston upon Thames to Godalming. He used to enjoy sailing past the queues on the other side of the A3! this was a fair few years ago now though. Could your DH do a test drive? Which side of Guildford is his office? is there easy access to the A3? Guildford can get pretty blocked up at rush hour

[forevergreek]

Erm I think it's kind of in the west side of Guildford. If that makes sense. So yes I think it's easy access from the a3 not far from the uni.

I think we will look at some of the areas mentioned if he starts there but keep an open mind about staying central also

[holidaysrcoming]

personally i wouldn't consider dorking - long commute to london, if you are looking at a halfway point, just stick to a3 corridor which mirrors train line from wimbledon to guildford - surbiton, hinchley wood, claygate, cobham. Just check wherever you go that there are taxis regularly at station, as you get further out street lighting is poor and you won't want a long walk home, or leave a bike at station.

[greyvix]

Woking is good, and would be very commutable to London, or Guildford, or Farnham. I would agree that you should stay put for a while to see how things work out. Driving from Guildford to London at the end of the day would be against the traffic; the A3 Westbound is pretty clogged up at Guildford.