Where should we live?! Surrey borders

[Maybemabel526]

We want to move from Wimbledon Park further out to get a house with a decent garden for a dog and eventually kids.

I commute 4 days a week into the City so want a commute under an hour door to door (trains around 30 mins into Waterloo or into another station for access to the City). We want to stay South for family ideally but not fixed on that.

I've been considering Thames Ditton (doesn't seem that green but we like the hockey club and river though trains are slower), Esher (the station seems quite far from the village so not ideal, would need to live near station which feels a bit soulless), Claygate (looks like a good option potentially?) or Oxshott (haven't visited yet going next weekend).

We've also considered going further out say near Brookwood or Sevenoaks or Balcombe in East Sussex.

Does anyone have any thoughts on any of these places or any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!

There is also the issue that in London if a train is cancelled you can usually find an alternative option but when you are relying on one option it's a different ball game.

Honestly no idea about schools at this point, would imagine state but probably 7/8 years till we plan to need school but I agree we need to plan for it.

It's something to think about as this move will cost you 65k plus in stamp duty so not necessarily something you want to be doing again for some time.

Have you considered Weybridge? Very good state and private schools. On the river, lots of green spaces. Not sure about hockey club, but there are rugby clubs, rowing clubs, tennis clubs etc. Traffic through the town centre can be a bit of a mare at the moment due to 'improvements' on the A3 but might not affect you if you're mostly using the train to get to work.

I had a similar requirement when I was looking to buy a year ago in a similar budget. I am happy with my choice in Leatherhead, there are some beautiful houses near the station (close the St Johns school) 0.5 mile walk, and has trains to both London Victoria as well as London Waterloo unlike other places which only has 1 line. Good schools and lots of lovely walks around.

Do consider secondary schools. I know that feels a long way off but it isn’t. Don’t buy in a black hole.
Epsom might be worth a look, the College
area has some lovely properties
TD is great, compact and easy to reach other places, plenty going on for families and an out standing state secondary
Leatherhead I am afraid we call Leatherdead at home - the town centre is woeful.

Oxted is lovely. I live in Whyteleafe, 2 train lines, the East Grinstead only 30 mins to Victoria, but lovely countryside on your doorstep (and great schools).

We did our research — lots of it — and eventually, we landed in Leatherhead.

Someone said, “Leatherhead? I’m afraid we call it Leatherdead at home — the town centre is woeful.”

We laughed. Honestly, we were delighted. Because for us, the town centre isn't the centre of life.

What we found here is something quieter, slower, and strangely perfect. Yes, there's a Nuffield Health, a Waitrose, a sprawling Sainsbury's, the usual high street suspects, a post office, a theatre, and even a slightly tragic McDonald's. But there are also some great local Italian and Thai spots that more than redeem the scene.

We call Leatherhead a hidden gem. It’s just 45 minutes by train to Waterloo or Victoria. A quick change at Balham gets you onto the Northern Line. Gatwick and Heathrow are within 20 minutes. M25, exit 9 — right there. And beyond the roads and rails: Box Hill, riverside walks, ancient woods, and countryside pubs that feel like postcards.

This isn’t the place for anyone chasing the buzz of London crowds. But if you’re after something safer, gentler, more grounded — where people still say hello, crime is low, and the houses have stories — this just might be the place.

Have a look at Pyrford/West Byfleet

Balcombe is in West Sussex. It’s a fab village - school, nursery, pub, shop, tea room and very near to Haywards Heath for all shops. Lovely walks as it’s in the High Weald. You can reach London Bridge in 40 mins. An easy change of platform takes you to Waterloo or Charing Cross. You can be in Brighton very quickly - by train or car for an evening or day trip out. West Sussex is beautiful.

we have family in oxted it’s lovely and m25 not an issue.

Reigate is also lovely.

if You wanted to stay closer to Wimbledon then look at Cheam, nonsuch park is amazing great for dogs. Good grammar schools. 36 mins to London Bridge (or Victoria). We have a good hockey club too.