AIBU to be so worried about moving to the right area in Surrey I may not end up moving at all

[blunderandfrightening]

Moving out of London and preferred area is Surrey. The thing is I can't see us ever moving because we are so worried about getting the area right.
AIBU to think the choice is so vast that we will never move.

Where would you recommend in the Surrey area.

Good schools, pretty location but close to a station?

No point in moving east of dorking (ie earslwood, reigate) if you want to go into Waterloo as the trains the east side of Surrey go to Victoria and to London bridge. I have friends in east Surrey, prices have gone through the roof and you have to be very careful with catchments for schools as there are so many children now.

Sisternancy

Thank you for the suggestions. Could you please elaborate on the rich and snobby comment?

I was recently shown around a house in Godalming by the owner. We mentioned that we were also looking in Guildford. She said that it was a bit 'home counties' I have no idea whatsoever what she meant!

I would equate rich and snobby with Weybridge, Chobham, Cobham, Walton on Thames, Esher, in that there is not a down-to-earthiness that you get in London. I am not sure if that's what rich and snobby means. I would think it is perhaps the places where your neighbours care about the make of your car or the style of your garden fences??

I have always lived in surrey near wey/cobham and don't find it snobby schools are very good, house prices are high and you dont get alot for your money, although not if you have a good budget.

Weybridge or any station that goes into weybridge is great for a fast train to London.

I agree on the schools though you need to check catchment area very very carefully. We were lucky to get dt's in on the sibling link.

Surrey covers a huge area - where you go depends on what you would be looking for - how old you children are, what things they like to do, what hobbies you have, if you like out doorsy things, places to eat drink on your doorstep etc.

I lived in Guildford for 20 years and I would agree with the previous poster that it is rather snobby and many people have a terrible attitude. It is all mememememememe. Was very happy to leave and have not returned.

Richmond's nice - and only 20 minutes to Waterloo!

Perhaps the opposite of rich and snobby is a welcoming community? Where would one get that in Surrey?

Most of Surrey is relatively very expensive regardless of specific location...probably most places are described as 'rich' I imagine.

Perhaps it is generally best to pick a location where your circumstances are most similar to the majority. It is no fun being the poorest family at the school gates, nor the opposite I guess.

Interesting that a few of you have hit on the snobby thing. I really want to make friends (obviously) and can't bear deliberate outward shows of extravagance.

Weybridge
Walton
Byfleet

Or a little far out
Camberley, Windlesham way

Thank you Layla will check them out.

How about Farnham?

All the areas mentioned are nice. We are in Guildford and I think it's a great place to raise a family. If you prefer things a bit more rural, check out Worplesdon or the Horsleys or Shalford, as a pp suggested. Godalming, Cranleigh and Dorking are also lovely.

You will probably find some snobbishness in all of these places but I find it's easily ignored and there are lots of friendly down-to-earth people around too!

Weybridge is luvly, because it's where I live. We're all v friendly. And not snobby at all.

But it's not a village, and the only private school here is St George's, which is RC.

How about Claygate? Or Esher? Reasonable commute to London, direct into Waterloo. Claremont school nearby.

(I grew up in Claygate. I loved it and still do.)

Camberley has a slow stopping train to Waterloo about 1hr15mins. There is a campaign to get a 50-55 minute service but I would believe it when I see it. I quite like it although it is a town rather than a village.
Windlesham has a village feel to it and has Hall Grove private school on its doorstep. Sunningdale and Ascot train stations are fairly close but about 50/55 minutes on the train to Waterloo.
Virginia Water has a village feel and a direct line about 45mins. The International School is very local.

I've gone to Waterloo from lots of stations in this part of Surrey and didn't realise what a spotter I was.

Bagshot fits a lot of your requirements - no idea about private schools but its a "village" (in the Surrey sense) and has its own station, train to waterloo or Guildford, I found it very friendly when I lived there with a toddler - a few restaurants in a village centre with a few shops too. No central green. There is a state primary which I believe is good (its too small for a secondary)

Compton or Godalming any good to you? Have a friend who lives there and it's very nice.

Hall Grove is very close to Bagshot too. I drive through it daily and there is a lot of traffic in rush hour as it sits on the A322/A30/M3. Nice place though.

Compton or Godalming any good to you? Have a friend who lives there and it's very nice.

Ooh - Bagshot is a few miles from Camberly, so access to the same private schools then! Close to Windlesham and Virginia water but I would say slightly less expensive whilst still naice - my dirwct experience is a few years old though.

New Malden & Kingston are worth looking at - only 20 minutes ( ish ) into London by train :-)

Everywhere outside of London costs less than Vag Water, I think it was crowned the first million pound village or something. You would live near Bruce Forsythe though

Have you posted on the MN local page for Surrey?

I think you need to get on Rightmove and see what your budget gets you. In Cobham/weybridge area a nice 4/5 bed detached is at least £1.5 Million upwards. Dorking reigate you can get a nice 4/5 bed detached for. £850/£900k which is quite a variance!'

Haslemere is nice, think it might be just over an hour though.

Godalming is nice. There are elements of snobbishness but like anywhere you can choose your friends. Plenty of people aren't even if it is a wealthy area.