Where to move to in Surrey?

[bambina0x0x]

Hi, Am trying to figure out a good location to live, and currently learning to drive but not there yet! DS is moving schools, either to ACS Egham or Beadles Prep and will remain in the same school for 8 years, so it will be a permanent move. Need to be in any part of London within 30 minutes, so long as it's a direct line for occasional work. Also need to be within 30 minutes without changing (don't mind short taxi ride to and from stations) to work in Long Ditton, right between Esher and Surbiton. What's it like to live in Esher? Had been considering Guildford also, as if we select Bedales then Guildford is 30 mins direct, so is Waterloo station, and so is Long Ditton. Still worth considering if he goes to Egham? (Guildford is easy access to Surrey and Sussex areas of interest and we could go by taxi to Woking to pick up shuttle service for Epsom. Having said that, don't want to be too far from the school as want to feel part of the community there! Once I'm driving I doubt we'd still use the bussing service. Most parents seem to live in Virginia Water area... Not sure what that's like to get to London from, or Long Ditton. Richmond looks lovely? Shuttle stop there. Community is very important to me! Also have a teen beginning full time boarding at ACS Cobham, so will be able to mix with parents there presumably.
Transport seems so confusing as there's overground, underground, need to get to London, need to get to Long Ditton and Epsom and still want to reach Sussex!

And of course if he goes to Bedales then anyone able to chime in on life in Guildford. Currently live on the South coast and have for two years and it's really hard to meet people!

Traffic is so congested in Surrey , along A3 and around m25 at peak travel times I really wouldn't consider more than a 5-10 mile commute.

I live in Guildford and love it - the fast train is 36-38 mins to Waterloo and whilst busy in rush hour isn't usually jampacked. I used to live in the SW London/Surrey border and it's quicker to London now than it was then. My partner drives in rush hour from Guildford to near Twickenham on the A3 and M25 and it usually only takes about 35/40 mins so perfectly doable.

The town has everything you need, shops, the Spectrum, restaurants, nice parks in the centre - Stoke Park is lovely. Lots of good schools but if he's boarding elsewhere that won't apply.

From Guildford students usually go to ACS Cobham, similar I would have thought for Esher (as it is basically right there).

Thanks everyone for your input. Yes, Guildford IRS seem way more in the Cobham catchment area, and Egham is a better fit for him, hence why the two kids would be in different campuses. Looked up traffic and looks a nightmare from Guildford to Woking though the train is fast. It then if you miss the shuttle bus then you're somewhat done for! Long bus route too, and over all the years of paying bussing fees wouldnt make the best financial sense. Have decided instead that due to downsizing from a detached house to an apartment, will live in close to the school, in Egham itself or Virginia Water. Most of the families are situated there so there's the benefit of it being easier to arrange for kids to play after school or at weekends. Haven't got any experience of those areas (other than they cost a lot, hence the downsizing!) but have heard they're beautiful so hoping there's lots to do there (at least London is only a short direct train ride away if we need more indoor activities in Winter!). Fingers crossed he gets offered a place!

Egham itself is pretty rundown but ACS is actually nearer Virginia Water further along A30 so you could look at Englefield Green, Ascot, Old Windsor etc which have more varied housing if a bit studenty in places. If you were prepared for Guildford/Esher prices you should find something in similar budget.

Thanks Lizs, that's helpful to know!

If you choose either of those schools, Guildford really doesn't seem like a logical place to live! My parent are fairly near Egham and although that's not great, there are good places nearby. Bedales is quite a bit further down the A3 than Guildford so if you go for that one, I'd look at somewhere south of Guildford. If you like Guildford or the surrounding areas, look for different schools - there are loads to choose from!

Hi GU24mum, I haven't been to Guildford personally - only heard that there's lots to do there. We really aren't interested in other schools, even though I'm sure, as you say, there are plenty of good ones. What's your perspective on Virginia Water as a place to live? I heard somewhere else that Egham itself isn't so great to live in, too. Thanks!

Thames ditton is really lovely if you are working in Thames ditton.

Sorry -big you are working in LONG ditton

Okay. You do sound confusing.
Bedales is not somewhere people would commute to from Guildford at least until secondary. If they wanted that kind of school they might consider Frensham Heights, with probably looking at living in Farnham or Haslemere. It could be a bit tricky with you also commuting to Long Ditton.
On the other hand if it has to be ACS Egham, then Chertsey, Egham, Virginia Water, Windsor or Camberley make sense.

But do think carefully about why you want to leave the coast, and why you are so insistent on these schools. What if you can't get in or they don't meet your expectations?

Hi OP, I guess it depends what your budget is and whether you need to commute. My parents live down the A30 away from Virginia Water. VW still has some shops and a station and lots of enormous (and I guess some other...) houses; Wentworth you'll no doubt have heard about and you'll need a large budget. I like Windsor but it's a completely different train line and I wouldn't live there and drive to ACS if you were commuting. You could go back up the A30 and look at Ascot/Windlesham etc too and places round there but it does depend on journey times as to what will work. Guildford is fine but the traffic is hideous so if you don't have a reason for living there, I'd explore what's around closer to the schools. My knowledge of Egham is a mixture of quite old and third-hand but it wouldn't be my top choice but it's not the worst place to live in Surrey either. Just to check, you do know that some places are definitely on the flight path, for one of the Heathrow holding patterns, don't you?! Feel free to pm me if you think I can help. I've lived in and around the area for longer than I'll admit to !