Anyone live in Dorking?

[Grapequeen]

Hello

We’re thinking of looking at houses in Dorking, budget around £650k, 3 bedrooms. No children yet but hope to in future.

Does anyone currently live there and can advise anything it would be good to have in mind about the area? We would be commuting into London 1-3 times a week. I know that line can have cancellations.

We love the green space and the town is about the right size for us, I think.

Thank you!

Op, I live in one of the villages just outside Dorking Town, Beare Green...

Sorry posted too soon!
What would you like to know?

So sorry I missed your reply, no idea how! I would love to know

What is parking like if you don’t have a dedicated space outside your house?

Is it generally friendly? I assume crime rates are low? (Assume you might a bit biased on whether it’s friendly, unless you hate it there )

Is it a good area for children?

Any idea about hospitals with maternity units/birthing centres in vicinity?

How easy is it to get onto motorway towards Bristol way, if you know?

What are social activities like in the town? Eg hobby groups like a book club (not that I’m a member of one now!)

sorry know that’s a lot of questions!

Do you like Dorking?

I don't know, I've never Dorked.

Sorry, I'll get me coat...

I'm in Westcott just outside Dorking.
It's a lovely little town, nice high street with mainly chains but a few independent shops & coffee shops. Good shopping in Guildford too.

Maternity services are at Royal surrey county hospital in Guildford which is one of the highest rated maternity units in England.

Hard to say what parking is like as it will depend on the individual road.

Traffic on the A25 & through the town are both often bad.

Trains are reasonable you've got different stations for different lines Dorking, Dorking west, Dorking Deepdene. Ive never commuted to London but it's definitely a commuter town & many people do.

Can't answer about schools as mine are older and went to school in Guildford.

I think biggest downside is that it's not very diverse. Very White town with few ethnic minorities. Very middle class.

I grew up near there. It's Surrey. If you like those kind of people then you'll like it. I can't stand all the keeping up with the Jones' and it's all white middle class and boring

Hi my husband and I are also looking in Dorking and are in similar circumstances to you @Grapequeen . Nice to know similar people to us are looking at Dorking! So keen to hear more from people who do live there.

Commuting wise you have either Southern or South Western trains depending on if you want to go to Victoria or Waterloo. There are frequent cancellations but having the option of both generally means 1 is running. The line is pretty slow, about an hour but you always get a seat in the morning. Dorking is pretty sleepy but pleasant, there seems to be more young families in Reigate which has more going on.

Hi Op, I currently live in Dorking but am moving soon . I think it really depends what you’re looking for , you don’t say where you currently live . I moved out from south west London and I find Dorking too quiet ( not a lot happens here!) There are activities for kids and good schools and it you like the Surrey hills and countryside you’ll like it I’m sure . The demographic of the town is on the older side , high street not amazing ( quite a nice park, few nice pubs and cafes) the train line to London takes a while , you’ll need a car here really . I’m going to be really blunt and say personally I find it very boring but it really depends what you’re looking for.