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Original poster

Moved from London to Guildford??

13 replies

Missmayhem · 08/07/2012 18:38

We are very close to moving to Guildford but i am suffering cold feet. On paper it all looks perfect but after living in london for a long time, i worry that i might find it a bit too home counties - don't get me wrong, i think its a great town, esp for families, but am just getting a bit nervous. Anyone else felt, or still feel like this - is it with merit, or am i wrong? nervous mum

OP posts:
RandomMess · 08/07/2012 18:41

It's easy and quick to travel back up to the smoke!

More importantly what is the situation with schools, isn't their a shortage in Guildford just like London

AllOverIt · 08/07/2012 18:42

I did the same thing, 9 years ago. I love it here Smile

Original poster
Missmayhem · 08/07/2012 20:30

Did it take long to settle AllOverIt? Big change from London or not would you say?

OP posts:
mumtoone78 · 08/07/2012 21:32

hie. we moved about 6 months ago from london to surrey. loving it here. took about 2 months to settle down and feel at home but now i wouldnt go back. you'll be fine just give yourself a few months to find your feet :)

AllOverIt · 08/07/2012 21:34

Not too bad. I was a bit sick of London, tbh so I was ready for it. Love, love, love being able to get in the car and DRIVE somewhere without being stuck in endless traffic Grin

I suppose it took a couple of months. There are bits I miss, but not enough to go back.

Original poster
Missmayhem · 10/07/2012 07:51

Any others feel differently?

OP posts:
mummytime · 11/07/2012 16:04

I have known one person who moved to Guildford and then moved back as she couldn't settle. BUT they were seriously rich, she lived on one of the expensive semi-rural roads, so couldn't just pop out with a buggy to Starbucks.
I would suggest you write a list of the Pros and Cons, you also choose the best place to live for you. So maybe not Tilehouse Road if you like to be in town all the time, and don't like using the car.

It is fine to be nervous, but nothing in life has to be permenant, you can move back if you are really unhappy. But do give it time, and don't expect everything to be like London.

Chestnutx3 · 11/07/2012 18:14

think carefully about it. I've done it the kids and DH love it, I'm a Londoner and find it difficult. I don't live in town but commute in from one of the neraby villages for the schools. Where are you going to live? How old are your DC?

There are far fewer playgrounds in Guildford than in any area of London, you tend to have to drive to them and when you get there hardly anybody there anyway. Very few supermarkets but Waitrose is going to open in town next year or the year after.

I've known one person with 3 kids going back to London after a year and another contemplating it.

There are plus sides - size of house/garden/less polution/less crime etc.... but I miss the tube, the hustle and bustle, the internationalness of London, walking to the library etc...

I think I will get used to it but it will take me 3-5 years!

mummytime · 11/07/2012 21:48

We once considered moving from Guildford out to Horsley. We came home and DH popped out for a take-away. We decided then we didn't want to move out to a village.
Guildford does have two biggish Supermarkets, and increasing numbers of Express size stores. The other big brands can all be found in Woking. Aldi and Lidle excepted.
But I would really make a pros and cons list, and make sure you are all getting something out of the move.

MidnightinMoscow · 12/07/2012 16:20

We did it 4 years ago - and love it. We looked at loads of houses, and in the end we decided it was worth sacrificing a big house for location. So we live in the centre of town, albeit in a smaller house.

It is different to London, shops close at 5pm on a week night, and there aren't any rough and ready cheap gems of restaurants like London. However, it's safe, has a fantastic town centre and good facilities for children.

Original poster
Missmayhem · 12/07/2012 22:41

Thanks! Midnight and Mummytime - did you find that a lot of people are local already? I.e. from the guildford/ surrey area and therefore moving to nearer 'home'? I don't have a problem with that, but just trying to get an idea of who moves to Guildford.

I think closer to town is more our thing - taking the buggy for a stroll and picking up a coffee or a cold drink Blush enroute sounds good.

OP posts:
MidnightinMoscow · 13/07/2012 08:05

Its a mixture, although most of our NCT friends are ex-Londoner's. I think lots of people choose Guildford given the proximity to the capital, and the fact it is a thriving town in it's own right.

For me, I needed that freedom of being able to walk into town - having to drive or get the bus for a morning's outing was too much for me! I love the fact that I can take the DC's out, grab a coffee, pop to the supermarket etc very quickly. Oh, and if it'f just me and DD then I can have a wander around House of Fraser!

mummytime · 13/07/2012 09:11

We had known/knew 3 people who lived in Guildford before, but neither DH or I come from here. Lots of people move out of London.
I think having kids helps, toddler groups/school helps you meet people. Some will actually be on you wavelength (some won't but that's okay). I did an evening class, there are lots of book groups, the Churches are quite active so if it's your thing that's another way of meeting people, as is the gym or tennis club.
After a while you do discover it is quite a small town, and you will start to find you "keep bumping into" people.

Oh and if your new neighbours greet you with cakes, and enthusiasm you might want to ask what the last people who owned your house were like (it's happened to two friends, both times the neighbours were just so relieved the old owners had moved).

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