I hate Surrey

[BettyBeer]

Is that unreasonable? I properly hate it.
I don't live there but most of my family do. Everyone seems to be obsessed with property prices, extensions and who's in the best bloody school! I even went to a cafe away from my family and the two tables close to us were discussing house prices and where the best catholic schools were.

Sorry if you live there but it just all seems to be greedy, self important twats. Am I wrong to make a sweeping statement about so many people? probably

Yes. Rather unreasonable.

Nasty sandy gardens too

Yeah, that’s quite true. It’s a proper Surrey bubble....

We moved away for that reason about 5 years ago. I could never quite put my finger on exactly what it was that made so many people quite so awful. We moved after dc1 was born and we started paying attention to the kids we saw around town (Guildford). I remember going into Primark in the Friary and some teenagers having such a giggle at the prospect of wearing a £5 t shirt. There was also just such a confidence and self assuredness tha so many of the kids had - that’s a good thing obviously, but it seems so tied to the rich kids that I just knew we could never keep up.

Surrey is quite a big varied place you know!

My Dad used to call it the Gin and Jag belt.

DD1 used to go to an American international school in Surrey. I was at the number of gated communities there (because, of course, Surrey is SO DANGEROUS) and the house prices near the school. I think parts of it can be quite smug.

Yes unreasonable

Lots of people live in Surrey and not all discuss house prices, extensions and schools.

YANBU. I have family that live there. The wealth and desire to keep up with the Jones bullshit is eye watering. It's a world that I find completely bonkers. Not all of Surrey, but the bits I have experienced (East Horsley, Effingham).

YABU. Yes there are a lot of people like that in Surrey (probably higher proportion than in many parts of country - but similar to many other parts of the SE). But there's also lots that aren't. And there's actually many good things about Surrey - although lots are linked to the fact that it's close to London, M25 and two major airports- so very easy to get out of Surrey to better places!

I've now lived here half my life and whilst I never intended to stay long term (came for a job), circumstances (met DH, plus said job) mean I'm still here and happy. But then I choose my friends carefully!

We've lived there and I'd agree. Weird values.

I grew up there and left when I was 18. Fabulous in the 70s and 80s, but when I go back to visit, I definitely notice a bit of what you describe.

I live in a beautiful place in South Wales now, and it is treated as a playground in the holidays by people from Surrey and London. SO obvious when they’re around!!

In my mind it's naff central. The houses all look so boring! I want to go and sprinkle some wild flower seeds in the middle of those immaculate lawns.
I imagine everyone is very worried about what others think.

I don't think I have ever be Surrey and don't live anywhere near it but I would say you were rather unreasonable.

I come from Surrey. Council flat and state school for me and the majority of my friends. It really depends on the area - some as very rough, it's not all Virginia Water.

My friend works in Billingshurst. She says none of the customers believe she comes from Surrey because of her accent. We sound like common Londonders. Glottal stops and all. No hope of ever owning a home or sending kids to private school.

There were definitely estates nearby where I lived that were "no-go" areas.

YABU!

I love my bit. It’s quite leafy and a nice place to live but particularly not ‘posh’ or at all as you’ve described. Varied demographic of neighbours who all look out for each other. Lovely, well behaved kids who play out on the street together. There are also some properly rural communities, where the only conversation I’ve overheard in the local pubs has been about beer / farming etc.

There might be areas like that but it’s not relevant to all of a county! And I think you can get those attitudes everywhere (my ILs and their friends are obsessed with house prices and they’re in the midlands...).

Ps. I do like gin. But I don’t have a jag...

I imagine if you made such a sweeping statement about another area such as the North, South or any other county there would be outrage.
For some reason though people think it's ok to insult people who live in Surrey.
If you don't like it don't visit. I'm sure the residents of Surrey will manage just fine without you.

YABU to make sweeping statements about people accross an entire county!

That said, I grew up there and moved away when I was 18. It was a horrible place to grow up (I lived in Reigate area). Lots of problems with it really, including lots of drug taking teenagers, but all very hidden away from the middle class parents and middle class image of the town. I hated most of my time there and would never bring children/teenagers up there. I acknowledge there are some lovely people that live there though, and not all of Surrey is like Reigate

I’m beginning to think I hate Surrey, if another thread about weddings is true. 200 sponds per person? Loony.

I lived in Reigate area). Lots of problems with it really, including lots of drug taking teenagers, but all very hidden away from the middle class parents and middle class image of the town

Touche. I would have been one of those Reigate teenagers a few years back haha. I was more on the Redhill side of Reigate though.

Yes counties do have their own distinct cultures and self-image, to an extent. I’ve never known anywhere as house-price obsessed as Surrey

I was too Ankona! but I don't have good memories of that time :( only bad really!

YABU to make such a generalised statement.

However, for the most part it is my experience too. I’m discounting the ‘London’ parts of Surrey though (Croydon for example)

I miss surrey but understand what you mean. Was at a posh pottery garden centre yesterday and next table was talking about pottery and how their dc had said the fields looked awful without houses and they were laughing saying they were going to be property developers. Felt very sad and sorry for them.

(I wasnt in surrey but further north)