Claygate vs. Cobham??!

[nashter]

We're in the process of leaving Wandsworth and are torn between these two areas... have two houses in mind but can't make the final decision!!

People always talk about the fantastic community in Claygate, which I love the sound of. It's really important for me, as a stay at home mum of 2 under 3, that I have ample opportunity to meet other mums.

However, I also love the slightly more busy vibe of Cobham with the larger variety of shops and I'm drawn to the more green surroundings. Plus I'm aware of plenty of playgroups in the area and the likes of the 'cobham mums' website reassures me that there will be plenty of like minded souls around.

Schools seem relatively on a par, and travel time isn't significantly longer from Cobham to make a true difference.

So Mums, can anyone enlighten me and help our decision making?!

We live in claygate and it's so much nicer than cobham. Really lovely community and stuff going on all the time, there are loads of people with young babies here too. I can do stuff with my toddler and young baby every day of the week either in the village or by driving up to 5mins away. If you can afford it claygate is the place to be!

We moved to Claygate last year and couldn't be happier. There really is a great sense of community - christmas carols with mince pies and mulled wine on the green at Christmas; a "flower" show in summer (which is way, way more than a flower show - it's like a really good summer fair); residents who tend and plant up public areas for 'Claygate in Bloom'; residents who band together to successfully fight the introduction of parking charges. Best of all, people smile and say hello on the street :)

There's plenty to do with children in Claygate or nearby - there's a playgroup run by mums in the village hall; another in the community centre; there's Monkey Music in the village hall; plus Tiny Talk in Thames Ditton; a playgroup in Thames Ditton surestart centre; rhymetime and storytime in both Esher and Thames Ditton libraries - and there's probably more that I'm not aware of as we have a young baby, not toddlers.

Claygate's also closer to Kingston (and Esher, which has some lovely boutiques, if that's your thing) for "proper" shopping.

There's Claygate Common and Arbrook Common for green space.

Claygate's great. Good luck if you decide on Claygate - houses tend to move quiet quickly!

Thanks for your replies guys! Good job we went for Claygate having seen these replies.... We're hopefully (assuming we exchange soon) moving to Claygate in July.