Hi Ntinyn,
I'm not the OP but i live in Thames Ditton and last year was weighing up renting in Surbiton, Tolworth or Thames Ditton.
Thames Ditton ultimately won because the flat was much bigger (and cheaper) than what we could find in Surbiton and Tolworth in our budget. Thames Ditton is very green. It is walking distance to Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park. It is very quaint and quiet and we feel very safe here. It is lovely when the weather is nice.
The disadvantages for me ( I don't drive but Dp does) is that the train to waterloo only runs every half and hour (although as a second stop you have a very good chance of getting a seat during rush hour). Buses are surrey buses not London buses and the service is pretty poor. It doesn't run regulalry and not at all on sundays. If you want a night out in London you will need to get off at Surbiton and jump in a cab home as the train doesn't run late. The same for Kingston, you will have to get a cab as buses don't run late and there is no direct train.
The other disadvantage for me is that we have three corner shops and a green grocers but not supermarket 'local' shops. if you need to grab a few items for dinner/top up shop you really need to go to Surbiton for sainsbury or East Moseley for Tesco.
On the plus side, it is pubs and restuarants galore! TD is a nice lifestyle if you want a quieter life.
My DP is originally from Surbiton and he was dead against us living in Tolworth. He said it was rough when he was younger. I was quite happy to live there as it has London buses and a large parade of shops including Iceland, Sainsbury local and M&S. However, it is very close to the A3 and the few flats we viewed there we could hear the droning of the road. Parking is also a problem.
On balance, I would prefer to live in Surbiton. It has a decent high street (to be a loser I like having a starbucks and M&S nearby), it has a fast train to Waterloo (15 minute journey) and lots of London buses. Has a waitrose and sainsbury. But because of the train you will most likely pay more than you will in TD. That said, having lived in TD for 6 months now, when I go into Surbiton it always seems crazy busy and I look forward to getting back to the peace of TD(!)