I need those in the know about Epsom to help

[PollyPutTheKettle]

I have found a lovely house I can actually afford in Epsom . It's smack in the middle of the catchment for Glynn and Rosebery so may well be a contender. It's in the area behind the station near Hook Road. The nearest primary is Epsom Primary which by all accounts is not the favoured option but as I would be looking for year2/4 places I am hoping I can get in somewhere else if it doesn't work. Is there anything I need to know about this area? I am somewhat shocked I can afford this so am thinking there may be a catch.

[PollyPutTheKettle]

I have done a bit more poking around courtesy of the internet. There is lots of talk of Epsom town centre being rough at night or even in the day. Is this true? It looked so pretty when I was there!

[PollyPutTheKettle]

Anyone?

[TisTheSeasonToBeUnreasonable]

I'm in dorking and spend a lot of time in Epsom :) generally Epsom is a perfectly fine place to live - I would personally avoid the longmead area - but only with regards to thinking if resale value and reputation. Epsom is the only place info out on a weekend eve because I feel safe there - it can get busy for a smallish town - but overall I think it's handled well and always a police presence to oversee any issues.

There have been a few highly publicised criminal incidents recently which were worrying - although I think that can happen anywhere and if I was house hunting is certainly look there!

[TisTheSeasonToBeUnreasonable]

Awful spelling and grammar in that post - apologies was feeding a baby! It's the only place I go I meant!!!

[reallifegetsintheway]

For the year 2 - I would recommend Ewell Grove and for the Year 4 Danetree Junior, but you would need a car from where you propose to live. You might be lucky and get both into Southfield Park rather than Epsom primary which sounds close to where you are looking. Look at Surrey cc website, put in your new potential postcode into school search engine linky thing and see far away you would be. Then ring council and see where you would be on waiting list or see if hey have space.

[BombayBunty]

It's not a bad area. There's a good Italian deli and mechanic near Hook Road. Also handy for the station!
Epsom is quite nice, we lived there for a few years, but moved about 18 months ago.

[PatriciaHolm]

Nothing wrong with that area at all. It'll be taking a slight hit on price due to the primary school, but tbh if you are looking for in year spaces you could end up anywhere, it's the luck of the draw as most schools around here are in demand. Town centre is fine, the odd incident, but nothing more than most towns this size. We love living here; great schools, access to open spaces/ motorway, commutable to london, easy drive to Kingston for bigger shopping centre/river.

[crypes]

Isn't there another high school round there that's in your catchment area (Epsom high?) it may not be so straight forward to get entry into Glyn or Roseberry if there's a high school nearer to you in Hook road .

[Wittsend13]

Hiya I am in ashtead and haven't found Epsom to be anything but nice. Never had a problem here. Everyone is quite friendly here too.

[chaosisawayoflife]

Unfortunately EPS doesn't have a great reputation locally, but in my opinion and experience, that is mostly down to the snob factor. The other primaries in Epsom are overwhelmingly white middle class, with results to match. EPS has a much more mixed intake, so overall results are not good, but I think it is a fabulous school and I am delighted that my dd attends there and dd2 will follow. If you read their most recent Ofsted report, despite the fact that they were awarded RI, it is a very positive report and paints a good picture of the school as a whole. I would wholeheartedly recommend the school to anyone. As for Epsom as a whole, I think it's a pretty good place to raise a family. There's lots going on, good amenities, ok shops, great transport links and you are in easy reach of central London and beautiful Surrey countryside. I think crime is at a normal level for a town of its size and I've never felt unsafe or witnessed any trouble. If you love the house, go for it.

[MadBusLady]

I grew up near Epsom. Maybe it's gone downhill but in Surrey "rough town centre at night" usually means "some young people being somewhat near some alcohol and talking to their friends in a voice above a whisper" IME.

It's a very nice town - much naicer than when I lived there actually, it was a pretty ordinary place then. Hook Road and getting towards Longmead is the less naice side of town, but my nan used to live on Temple Rd and never felt unsafe that I know.

[PollyPutTheKettle]

Thanks all. I think we shall go and have a look next weekend. The house is on Temple Road MadBusLady so that's reassuring. I have fallen it love with it online at least

Crypes - Blenheim appears to be in the area but having looked at the last few years we are well within the right distance for Rosebury and Glyn as well. I thought if put Glyn first followed by Blenheim we would be offered Glyn if we were close enough to both as that was our preferred option. Is that not the case? It's how it works where we are now.

[PatriciaHolm]

yes, Polly, for Glyn and Rosebury that's right. If you are within the normal admission distances and put them no 1, then it doesn't matter that Blenheim is nearer, you should hopefully get them, though things do change year on year of course.

[PollyPutTheKettle]

Thank you. I have looked at Southfields Park school online and it appears we are not in catchment. Looks like EPS will be the most likely option - I will need to take a look as I don't hold much faith in Ofsted ratings. We are going to have a night out in Epsom at the weekend to get a feel for it as the only thing putting me off is the number of comments online about chavs and the town being rough in the evening. However, the same is said of where I am now so there you go. Other then the house being in what appears to be the slightly less favourable area it otherwise looks great. Lovely house, easy walk to station from what I can see and good schools. Fingers crossed.

[Rogerthatmummy]

I'm in Epsom and noticed the house if off the market now and I wondered if you'd gone for it :)

Did you?