Moving to Salfords, Redhill, Surrey

[Deben1X]

Hi all,

My husband and I have found a house in Salfords (Surrey) which we've made an offer on so I'm keen to find out as much as possible about the area, schools, community & plane noise from Gatwick.

We have twin boys who will be starting primary school in sept so choice of school is very important. Ofsted ratings on Salfords primary isn't great so I wondered if anyone had any info on that particular school & others nearby.

On wiki it mentions a stream which runs through the village and can cause flooding during winter months; anyone had any experience with this? Any issue with home insurance?

Since we are in the middle of a global pandemic and there are very few planes around at present it's hard to gage how loud the plane noise will be in this area seeing as it's close to Gatwick? Anyone got info on this?

Finally, what is the community like? Much to do for kids? Any nice local pubs with gardens?
I noticed there is a large business park in Salfords which a police custody centre. Has anyone experienced any issues with this?

Any constructive information (positive or negative) would be appreciated. With everything closed (ie. shops, pubs, sports centres & lack of planes) its very hard to gage an idea on the village we hope to move to.

Thank you for taking the time to read :)

[zzzebra]

Don't live in Salfords but live in a town nearby.

I've never seen anything about flooding in the local papers.

I wouldn't expect the plane noise to be that bad. You get the occasional low/loud plane around here but it's not constant. Although I was brought up near here so maybe it's just my 'normal'.

Can't comment on Salfords primary school. But do have a look at what secondary is your catchment. There is a good secondary in Redhill but there is a also new school in Gatwick which isn't particularly desirable.

Also can't comment on community but can say there isn't much there. It's a bit of a non-descript place. You'll be doing a lot of driving your children around when they are older and want to go out with friends.

However within driving distance there is Redhill nearby which is ok, Crawley if you want a bigger town with lots going on for kids (swimming pool, climbing wall, cinema, imax, bowling). Then Reigate isn't too far either and is lovely and more upmarket.

Are you going to be commuting to London by train? The links aren't great, they updated the timetables a few years back and there was local uproar about how irregular the trains became. Only the slow trains stop whereas if you're in Redhill or Three Bridges the faster trains stop which can cut your journey time almost in half.

[LIZS]

It is not really a village, more a series of estates linked together near the hospital but with limited shops and facilities. You don't get Gatwick noise but do from the aerodrome (which is looking to upgrade runway or potentially be redeveloped long term) and the Air Ambulance, Police and media helicopters are based there. The river crosses A23 at the Beefeater pub but has not flooded for years. The custody suite is on the industrial estate to the south so not in the residential area.

[OnlyTeaForMe]

gov.uk have a useful tool to see flood risks for an area:

flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk/map?easting=528227&northing=147212&map=SurfaceWater

[grenadines]

I would keep looking at other areas. Redhill would be ok and has a good train service. Reigate and Dorking are pleasant towns with good schools. If they are beyond your budget maybe look at Horsham or Southwater.

[TakeMeToYourLiar]

Have sent you a pm

[Deben1X]

Thank you all for your replies, comments & links. First time I have ever used Mumsnet so pleasantly surprised at the helpful community on here. :)

Keep the info coming; I am sure there are things I have forgotten to ask about so I want to hear your facts and opinions on this area as we aren't from Surrey so any info is really valuable to us. x

[LemonCrab]

My mum lives near Redhill so I'm there a lot and it's a nice enough town. Everything you'd need for shopping. And if you wanted bigger shops then Crawley is nice and close.

No Gatwick noise.

I'd rather live in Redhill proper than on the outskirts though. That Salfords/hospital side isn't really a town.

But it's a fine place to live I'm sure.

[SandrasAnnoyingFriend]

Why have you picked Salford's? It would help to know before advising any further...

[Deben1X]

Thanks @LemonCrab :)

@SandrasAnnoyingFriend - we didn't choose Salfords as a place to live, we simply found a house there which ticked all our boxes.
We've been searching for the right house since November, mainly looking in this area of Surrey for the good connections to London, 15-20min from M25 & bit more rural than where we are now. We are aware that Salfords isn't as picturesque as some other nearby villages but we'll settle for a safe, friendly community with plenty of green belt for walks with the kids & the dog and maybe a nice nearby pub for a Sunday roast! I hope Salfords is this place but I need to be certain before we take the plunge!

[SandrasAnnoyingFriend]

Yeah I don't think that's an accurate description of the area at all. It's kind of an in between bit of pretty built up housing and industrial estate. I wouldn't choose to live there myself.
I'd go a bit further south to get somewhere with an identity and some of your criteria.
I think Horsham fits the bill far better and has trains into London at less than an hour.

[zzzebra]

I agree with @SandrasAnnoyingFriend Horsham is lovely, although it's not going to get you into the M25 quickly.

Dorking and the surrounding villages are also lovely, not bad for the M25 and ok train links. Not a huge amount for older children to do.

Somewhere like Copthorne might be worth a look. Right on the M23, good bus links into Crawley, less industrial estate like but no train station in walking distance.

A lot of the villages along the A/M23 will get you onto the M25 in under 15minutes: pease pottage, hand cross, etc. Even as far south as Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill you can be on the M25 within 25minutes.

[LIZS]

Horley might be worth considering, lots of recent housing developments, fast commute, or Smallfield if you are willing to drive to station. Decent primaries although not a great local secondary and would need to travel for sixth form. Closer to Gatwick but no noisier. Do you have a budget and spec for house?

[Imkindreally]

We don’t live in Salford’s but used to live near and our children attend school nearby. My friend lives in Salford’s and her children attend Dovers Green nearby in Woodhatch. Really fantastic school < mine all went there >. Used to be looked down on as it’s in the less affluent area however it’s really is brilliant - almost everyone I’ve spoken with agrees so def worth a look. It’s an infant so they’ll move on in YR3 most going to Sandcross or other locals.

[Deben1X]

Thanks for the all the comments & advice, really helpful, however sadly we didn't get the house in Salfords so I guess it wasn't meant to be & our ideal new home is still out there.

I'm seeing quite a few houses in Horsham & I know a few of you mentioned Horsham as a better alternative to Salfords.
Hit me with whatever you've got about Horsham????
Good areas, bad areas?
Is there a big difference between Oakhill, New Town & Little Haven?
Seems like there are some good schools all across Horsham (I'm basing that on Ofsted Reports which might be a little out of date)

Thanking you in advance for any info you can offer about this area. :)

[LIZS]

Horsham is a much longer commute and more prone to aircraft noise.

[zzzebra]

The Little haven and Roffey area is less desirable. But I wouldn't say either are bad areas, just less polished.

New Town is quite good for access to the town centre.

Schools are good, and there is a VERY good college.

The access to the M25 isn't good though, the A264 is quite often very slow.