AIBU?
To want to move to Sutton, South London
YungMAMA · 24/11/2019 15:03
Me and Dh are currently living in Hove, he grew up here and I grew up in the Sussex countryside. DH works locally as a mathd teacher, I commute into London. However, im increasingly frustrated at the long commute, often getting on for 1:30hr, 1:45hr.
I began looking at London but our budget of £450k means we are limited to less trendy boroughs. We ideally want south London for easy access to South Coast.
Yesterday we went to view the area as well as a few houses.Dh has said the areas we looked at were rough and that he wouldn't want DC to grow up in that area.
AIBU to think Sutton is an ok place to live. Can any of you on this site from that area give any insight. From research the schools are fairly good, I know its a grammar area with some of the Comprehensives being bad.
AaronBurrSirr · 24/11/2019 15:23
Sutton is a bit... salt of the earth, putting it politely! Saying that, I’ve lived here for 6 years, and so do a lot of my family (growing up we were further into Surrey) and I love it! Like a lot of London boroughs there are lovely areas, not very nice areas, and lots in between. Plenty of good schools and good transport links, I’m pregnant with my first child and happy to be having them in this area. There’s a lot of regeneration going on in the town centre, and lovely parks nearby I.e. Nonsuch, Carshalton ponds, Cheam Park. It’s not fancy, but we like it!
Crazyoldmaurice · 24/11/2019 15:35
I would give a pass to sutton personally. We live close to sutton in another much nicer borough (for the time being, due to have masses amd masses of new properties built over the next 10 years) and we are desperate to upsize with a new baby on the way but would rather make do here than move to a bigger pad in sutton which we could afford. Mainly down to the schools in sutton, I had a friend who moved from sutton to hove solely to avoid the schools in sutton. Could you not move a little further out into Surrey? Somewhere like walton on thames or weybridge?
SapatSea · 24/11/2019 15:38
Would your DH consider changing schools? if you move closer to London he could get an inner or outer London weighting (depending on school location) which would add significantly to his salary. Experience of teaching in London is always desirable to schools elsewhere and there is often more opportunities to advance.This would open up your search, so you could target nice pockets in London areas and if needed still be near the SE coast train terminals for weekend visits to the parents.
Do you particularly want a house? if not, you could get a 2 bed flat in some nice SE London locations e.g. Balham (close to Clapham junction for trains to Hove). Would you miss the sea and the Downs?
YungMAMA · 24/11/2019 15:43
We would ideally like a 3 bed house, but are happy with a 3 bed apartment. We looked at homes in Sutton (SM1) and Carshalton, Wallington and Hackbridge which was a new development so Help to Buy.
Cheam appears to be out of our budget, as is Surrey. I dont drive so need to be near a Station and Bus routes so imagine Surrey would prove difficult.
PrincessBattercup · 24/11/2019 15:44
Sutton is great, yes there are nicer areas but I've lived here 8 years and no issues. Schools are fantastic, transport is great and shopping is fine - Sutton high street is a bit rubbish but close to Kingston and Croydon for shops and Sutton has the pick of all the supermarkets.
MitziK · 24/11/2019 15:55
Out of all your places, I'd say Carshalton, especially the Beeches, then Wallington would be your best bet if you can't go slightly further out towards Banstead.
Hackbridge tends to enjoy the particular air carried over from Beddington Lane Sewage Facility and there's the Viridor Incinerator/Energy Recovery Facility punting out a significant amount of pollution to take account of.
Darbs76 · 24/11/2019 17:49
It’s not hugely bad but I’d consider Wallington, Caterham area instead. I’m in Whyteleafe and it’s nice and leafy here but still Zone 6. Lots of parks and dog walking countryside (and that’s coming from someone who grew up in Wales so I don’t consider any bit of green country!)
traveller11 · 24/11/2019 17:50
I'd be giving Sutton a hard pass.
You actually couldn't pay me to move back there.
It's a complete shit hole, and I was there for near on 25 years
Wallington, Ewell and Carshalton Beeches are ok. Even Ashtead, Epsom, and Dorking will bring you closer to London without losing the Sussex feel to living
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