Rickmansworth vs Woking

[Sambkh]

We are a mixed race family currently living in north west London looking to move out for more space. We have narrowed our search down to Rickmansworth and Woking. Would really appreciate if anybody could tell me more about the areas. In particular:

1. Schools (primary) - Rickmansworth (We like the look of Arnetts Hill and Rickmansworth park). Haven’t looked much in to schools in Woking (like the look of Horsell junior school)
2. Community - Is there a community feel? That’s what we are not liking about London it feels very isolating
3. Diversity- are the areas diverse enough?
4. We want an area with lots of young families like us which better suits this? Walking around Rickmansworth felt like it had more older people (60+)
5. What is the Woking to Waterloo train like - how frequent are the trains

Thank you any advice would be appreciated!!

I can only tell you - as I pass through on that line - that Woking to waterloo trains are regular (like every five minutes at times) and only take about 30 minutes. It's commuter ville. It has fast trains from several branch lines so it's perfect for commuting.

I don't live there but know the area. And I'd be careful. There are some nice areas... and some not so nice. Old town is supposed to be good.

Not sure if it's relevant but Woking council are making a lot of news lately for completely fucking up their budget... they're in a lot of money strife.

But definitely go for a wander and see what you think!

The train service is good and if you are in Horsell, you can get to the station easily enough. Further out, public transport to get to the station is less good. The town centre roads and areas are tricky and as a PP said, the council have messed up financially.

We used to live five miles from Woking and the bus service to the town was abysmal. Horsell is regarded as a pleasant area, Knaphill, Goldsworh Part, Brookwood, less so.

No idea about Rickmansworth but I live in Woking and would agree with all the above points. Trains are excellent, frequent and pretty reliable into Waterloo. Hence lots of commuters. But it would be much better to be able to walk or cycle to the station rather than rely on public transport to get there (there is parking but I presume it’d be v expensive to do it daily).

The council funding is also fucked but we don’t know what impact that’s having yet.

Horsell is great, mine went through the Horsell infant and junior and are now at the high school - all excellent. Horsell is a great area with v good community feel, great village shops (useful and friendly). But it’s not so “weird close knit village” that I feel oppressed as a city person!

Diversity - mainly white, but there’s a strong Indian / Pakistani presence as well, very well established. White tends to be a mix of local families, people from all areas coming out of SW London, South Africans, etc. In my kids classes at school there’d usually be several children from Indian/Pakistani heritage, 0-2 black children, one or two S African kids, and a smattering of others (Italian family, South American family, danish etc).

Thank you for all your messages! I liked the feel of Horsell when we visited last year (somewhere I can see my family). The council situation is a bit worrying though.😔

Never been to Rickmansworth but worked in Woking. Wouldn't live in Woking if you paid me. That it's best feature is the train service that gets you out of town says a lot.

Take Rickmansworth would be my advice.

The Woking to Waterloo train is fast and reliable. That's everything in favour of Woking over Rickmansworth. The bankrupt Council is the least of it. Choose Herts.