Moving close access to Redhill

[Mela7]

Hello. I have recently started working at East Surrey Hospital and currently live in London. My husband(who works in London) and I do want to move out of London in the near future. We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. My working days are quite long so ideally I would like a short commute but a good primary school is most important for us. We have been lucky with the housing market in London. I would really appreciate advice on areas to live with good schools and access to the Hospital?

Earlswood would be your best bet. Earlswood Infant and Junior school is OFSTED rated outstanding and there is also St Johns school which is also very good. Earlswood station has trains to London Victoria or London Bridge for hubbie. With regards to the hospital, Earlswood is a 5-minute drive away. Alternatively, there's quite a nice walk down the side of the old asylum and this would take you 20-25 minutes.

I second Earlswood. Near enough (depending on exact location) to walk to Redhill station which is the best for getting to London but close to the hospital. Reigate and Earlswood do go to London but you are limited by the trains. All the schools in Reigate are good but closer to Redhill you need to be careful of catchment areas for good schools and i have also heard good things about earlswood infant/junior school.

I'd agree, Earlswood or the St John's area. Earlswood is slightly cheaper than st John's though you would need to be the Redhill side of Earlswood to make it walkable to Redhill station. As a commuter myself, your husband will be better off traveling from Redhill station for speed and train frequency. Alternatively, the top of the hill at Redhill - Linkfield St, Ridgeway Road, Upper Bridge Road are about 15 mins walk to the station and about 30 mins walk or 5 mins drive to the hospital.

You could go further north to Merstham or South to Horley . Fast trains stop at Horley and it takes about 40 minutes to Victoria or London Bridge , about 10 minutes drive/bus to ESH. Lots of new housing being built in Horley as well as more traditional property and schools are expanding with a new one opening in a couple of years. Flexible nurseries/after school care to meet the demand of airport shifts too.

Great thank you so much for the replies. We are going to have a look around the area and schools next week. We want this to be a long term move. What is Earlswood/Redhill like to live in for a young family? Are there play areas etc?
thanks again

Each area has access to green open space , less so in central Redhill where the park is relatively small. Earlswood itself is mainly dense Victorian style but the Royal Earlswood development is a modern area built in the grounds of a former hospital with a community feel (YMCA sports centre is onsite and a private gym etc), likewise a smaller development in St Johns , both of which have direct access to commonland /golf course and are walkable to ESH though probably not at night.

Parsley1: you would need to be the Redhill side of Earlswood to make it walkable to Redhill station. As a commuter myself, your husband will be better off traveling from Redhill station for speed and train frequenc

This is absolutely true but thinking long term, you might prefer to be the hospital/St. John's side of Earslwood for the state secondary schools. Reigate School is OFSTED outstanding and there's a high demand for places. My husband commutes from Earlswood station and it's not that bad. If there's no train to Earlswood, he gets off at Redhill and gets a 5-minute taxi ride or walks (20 mins).

LIZS: Earlswood has a very good park behind Earlswood Infant School! There are also a range of mother and toddler groups in Redhill and Reigate area, which are all advertised in the Grapevine.

Thanks for advice so far. We had a look around the area and we liked parts of Redhill and Reigate. We are not going to be in a position to move until after the state school application deadline in January( dd starts reception 2013) so I imagine we will not get a place at a school of our choice? Is there much movement after the places are allocated?We live currently near a good school in London and don't want to get stuck at a school that's not right for us and on a waiting list that does not budge Starting to think we might be better off delaying the move until year 1 but not sure whether this will make a difference? An option might be private but there are waiting lists at all the schools in the area. Any advice from those that know more about schools in the area!!!

Remember some will hedge their bets as far as schools are concerned d, apply for a state one with a private one as a back up in case they don't like what is allocated o there may be some movement around Easter. Places overall are under pressure, Lime Tree is a new school which will relocate in a year or two to a site between Redhill and Merstham and there have been extra classes added all over to meet demand but whether these are sustainable longer term remains to be seen. tbh I don't think waiting a year will make the situation any easier, you might be better starting somewhere and going on a waiting list. None of the infant schools are that bad tbh.

We are lucky in this area to have many good schools, but there is definitely a shortage of places in them.
My kids are at Earlswood, and are very happy there- it is a great school.