To consider moving to Horsham for a better life?

[Mixedupmind]

We currently live in Carshalton however are seriously considering a move to Horsham / somewhere that way by the end of the year before our eldest starts school next September
What's horsham like to live in?
I've never needed to drive and don't particularly want to start, would I still get away with this in this area?
Is it a nice family friendly place to live?
Cheers

[Alpacacino]

Why Horsham in particular? It was affected by flooding last winter - that would put me off a bit.

[heather1]

I've heared good things about East Grinstead. I think it might be cheaper than Horsham too.

[Mixedupmind]

No particular reason, just have family by the coast but the schools don't seem as good that far out so thought of somewhere inbetween :)

[proteins]

Hello OP,

I live in Horsham. My family has a car but we only use it for rainy days or on trips to Brighton etc. We walk to the train station for work commutes and trips to London. We also walk to my son's school, to town and to the park. So not driving isn't too much of an issue for us :)

Horsham is reasonably family friendly, the demographic to me seems to consist mostly of young families and pensioners. On market days I see them walking around the stalls. The park is quite big and there is a swimming pool and soft play facilities next to the park.

The shops in town are mostly cafes and restaurants, there is a Nandos opening up soon :) There is a big Waterstones and the library is quite well stocked (could be better though). Clothes shopping isn't great, there is a White Stuff and Topshop etc but not Zara or anything nicer.

Alpacacino was right about the floods, the back entrance of the train station was flooded enough that there were pictures of people canoeing :) And there were sections of a couple of roads were submerged which caused some traffic, but I didn't see any properties flooded (might have missed it).

Let me know if you have any more queries, a Mnetter answered all my questions when I was deciding to move too :)

[Mixedupmind]

Hiya,
Thankyou so much for your reply!
My husband drives so no problem there on his days off to drive to family etc
Our main worry to be honest is schools, whilst Sutton schools perform very well we have a high % of non English children in them whereby they don't speak English as a first language.
Without sounding in any way racist, this worries me and what also worries me is that the very good secondary schools this way aren't actually in Carshalton / Sutton they are more Croydon way which I wouldnt be happy with my kids travelling into.
We just want a more " village " lifestyle, cheaper rent ( we pay £960 for a 2 bed house but need a 3 as have 2 young kids ) and just a nicer way of life.
Not sure if this place exists!

[proteins]

Hello OP,

As a non-English who does not speak English as a first language, I find your concerns offensive.

The high performance of Sutton primary schools speak of their ability to bring out the best in their pupils; I am sure you agree that this is the most important factor.

However, if you're unhappy with the performance of secondary schools in Sutton, it is as you said, a good option to move elsewhere.

[bluebell8782]

Hi OP,

Horsham is lovely. Has a nice atmosphere and a good range of shops - can be a little pricey in some areas. I would avoid East Grinstead if possible, it's turning into a 'mini Crawley' and isn't very pleasant - would never move back there.

Have a look at East Sussex, loads of villagey type places, cheaper and just nicer all round!

[CoolCat2014]

I used to live in Horsham and would happily move back! It's a lovely little town, though it can get pricey. There are also lots of lovely villages around it you could consider - broadbridge Heath is usually cheaper rent. I don't know about schools, but my friends with kids seemed pretty happy with the ones they went to, think all saints seemed to be good and is in a nice part of town. Just avoid the needles estate!

[captainmummy]

I don't live in Horsham but I go there every 2 weeks or so as a friend lives there. I lvoe it - it has the big shops but also some litttle independent ones too. lots of old buildings, little squares, lots of greenery. Library, pool, bowling alley, theatre, park...all lovely.
As far as I know, the schools and college are excellent; my friends dd went there.
It's on the main train line to london vis gatwick, and everywhere is accessible from eiither ofthese.

It is pricey tho, although villages outside Horsham are cheaper. There are regular buses.

Another place to considr is Horley. I live in Horley, right by gatwick Airport; great for access to London/Brighton/anywhere by train and also by motorway. And of course everywhere in the world by plane! House prices here are slightly cheaper than horsham, and schools good. Colleges are local, in Reigate, Crawley and Redhill.

Can't comment on the % of non-English speakers tho, I think with the amount of people working at Gatwick, it's probably higher than 'normal', though I've never really noticed. I think I'd consider it a good thing, anyway, as I speak 2- other languages myself.

[Cheepypeepy]

also interested, especially in how easy it is to get into primary schools . . .

[captainmummy]

Alpacacino - I think lots of places hereabouts were affected by the floods. Here in Horley the lane to Gatwick was under about 3ft of water, from the R Mole that had burst its banks - but it was an unusual year, and not likely to happen regularly (I hope!)
A search of local rivers/streams etc can be made before any housepurchase/rent agreement made.

[trashcanjunkie]

Er... sorry but you do sound racist. Why on earth should that matter?

[LeftyLoony]

Well I love living here.
Think all 3 secondaries are rated outstanding by OFSTED.

[FraidyCat]

For the benefit of the OP: on Mumsnet it is considered racist to care about effect of non-English speakers in schools.

Mumsnet does not understand or care that race and language are two different things.

On the previous thread on this subject that I remember, it was considered simplistic (and naïve and racist) to wonder if at schools where 60% of the intake spoke no English on arrival, that would slow down the education of those who had it as a first language.

[Mixedupmind]

It matters to me as the schools here are currently "buddying " up English children with non English speakers to help improve their English
Whilst they are doing this my children aren't learning are they?
Also the people that aren't English where we are don't mix / integrate which is a concern for the children making friends / having playdates and parties etc
I don't think it's asking too much for my children to not be the minority in an English school
Maybe I'm wrong then

[SaucyJack]

My brother works there. He's very impressed with the range of options for lunch but that's about all I know of the place.

[squirrel996]

I used to live in Horsham and my pil live there. I really like it but houses are very very expensive!
It's okay and has improved a lot since we moved but there didn't used to be anything much to do. There isn't even a cinema there you have to go to Crawley for that and any decent shops.

[NigellasDealer]

My godmother and her husband live there and there is a lovely park and swimming pool but all they do is moan about how dull it is and they are usually to be found on the fast train to London.

[MardyBra]

Why is this in aibu?

[ExBrightonBell]

There is a cinema in Horsham - the Arts Centre has two screens that show all the usual blockbusters, kids films etc. Plus it has a nice cafe and bar!

[grocklebox]

I havent a breeze where Horsham is. I do know where Chat is though. And Property, and WWYD, and Education......

[Helpys]

Fearing children who don't speak English at home will hold your dcs back is racist and ignorant. And I'm not staying that from an ivory tower but as someone whose children always had a good chunk of non English speakers in their classes.
It's UKIP heartland so in sure you'll fit in just fine.