London Commuter towns in Surrey or Kent with good private schools etc

[Oscariana]

Hi All, Living in Chiswick at present. Really enjoy the great mix of shops, boutiques, restaurants and general vibe, but after moving from abroad ( large detached house with v large garden) we're thinking that when we buy in 18 months we'd like a bit more for our money. Need good private prep and secondary schools as have two kids 9 and 4. Ideally a 30 minute commute to LB or Charing Cross as DH and I commute in to London 3 days a week. Considering Sevenoaks but wondering if a bit too quiet after Chiswick? Or somewhere else in Surrey (Apart from Richmond as similar prices to Chiswick). Any other ideas appreciated. Especially if you lived in West or SW London and made the move out. ...Tonbridge Wells looked ideal but the commute, would bother me (I think) after living here.

New Malden? Lots of private and grammar schools. 20 mins into Waterloo on SW trains.

Epsom has a number of private schools and goes to Waterloo or London Bridge.

Guildford - is a bit further but has fast trains into Waterloo I believe?

My husband mentioned Epsom. Isn't it a bit quiet? TBH though I last went there years ago though. I will check it out. Thanks

I have to admit I know nothing about New Malden at all so thanks for the suggestion.Ive been thinking of Guildford or Sevenoaks so far...

Yes, epsom definitely quieter than Guildford although not as dire as it used to be! The surrounding villages like cheam, Ashtead, ewell all have their particular charms depending on what you are looking for. And it's relatively close to Surbiton, Kingston or Wimbledon.

Guildford fab for girls schools. Limited for boys. Also trains are faster and more frequent from Woking. But Woking is frankly dire.

I live in Tunbridge Wells, it’s lovely.
Maybe Haslemere could work as well?

Guildford seems like the best option, anywhere else is probably going to be too quiet.

Or St Albans. Both are expensive though.

Alton and Petersfield are nice but they may be too far out and too quiet.

Oxted is really nice - nice little town, fast rail connections, beautiful countryside and scenery. Houses tend to be expensive and go fast near the town - you get more for your money if you look in the villages nearby but compromise then on amenities.

None of these are commutable though, none of them are 30 minutes into CH or LB. Is that realistic? Even somewhere like Weybridge is 44 minutes into Waterloo.

I'd go for Guildford, though the commute is a bit longer than 30 minutes (about 40 minutes to Waterloo, so it would be a few minutes more to Charing Cross.)

It's a decent size town with good arts and leisure and facilities and excellent private schools.

Commute is just a bit long me.

Yes Guildford could be an option

Oxted sounds nice. Will look into it

Oblomov23 Sevenoaks is I believe 30 0r 35 mins. 45 is too long for me as right now I am in Central London in 20 mins. Taking into account living out I will likely need 10-15 mins to get to a station etc and adding that to the commute time on the train.

Reigate is lovely, 30 mins from Redhill into LB.

If you think Sevenoaks is quiet Oxted will send you to sleep. And there's no such place as Tonbridge Wells - Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells are about 6 miles apart.

squashyhat That was a spelling error on my part. I'm aware that there is no such place as 'Tonbridge Wells' and the distinction between that and Tonbridge (I moved back from abroad recently, but I'm originally from London).
I haven't been to Sevenoaks in about 10 years so feel I need to check it out. I remember it as being quiet though, but apparently during Covid lots of people moved out there and its now it's bit livelier? Or maybe not ;)

RubiesandRose -Reigate! Yes, good suggestion. I'm getting a pool of places together so I can start researching and visiting. Will add that to my list :)

I'd go for somewhere in Kent such as Dartford or Gravesend. Have you looked at Swanley Village?

Also depends on budget, how much do you want to spend?

Guildford is a nice town but I’d say it’s pretty quiet. Plus you’d need to travel to the station unless you live in the centre.

What do you want exactly in terms of amenities. Pp said Gford is quiet, but it has everything in terms of shops, restaurants, music venues, theatres, sports and leisure centres. Good schools. It has a university, a cathedral, large district NHS hospital, two private hospitals. Easy access to London, Heathrow, Gatwick. Countryside on your doorstep. What exactly makes a place "right" for you, is very subjective.

I live in Tunbridge Wells and until recently my daughter commuted - the TW to London Bridge was ok, depends where you need to be after that. Sevenoaks is very quiet. I second Reigate.

Canterbury?

KnittedCardi Guildford doesn't seem quiet to me. Nice amenities are boutique shops and cafe's, a cinema, one or two high end restaurants good parks etc. I need good private schools too.