Looking at Properties and areas in Surrey- Guildford/ Leatherhead

[TessClaudia]

Hi there
I have been searching for years now looking for the perfect area in Surrey to move to and needing some help in shedding light on some areas. Mumnet has a lot of conflicting info, so I wanted to start a new thread!
I currently live in North Greenwich, SE London, with my Husband. No kids yet! I commute to Green Park and work in the office 5 days a week, and my Husband who works just off the Strand and will be going in 3 days per week.

I grew up in Kingston-Upon-Thames for my late childhood and about 4 years ago bought a flat with my Husband in North Greenwich. My parents still live in Kingston but will also be moving further South soon.
We are now at that time where we would like a quieter life, bigger space for that time when we welcome kids! We still require good links into London, particularly Waterloo, but not too far away from my parents as we see them often!

So, with saying all of that, Surrey is our chosen place as it has great links into the West End and will wanting to be staying close to my parents. I adore Esher/ Cobham/ East Mosely but can only just afford a 2-bed terrace as our budget is around £675k /£700k. We'd ideally love anything from 3 Beds with 2 Bathrooms.
With this budget, from what Rightmove tells me, we can afford somewhere in Leatherhead and Guildford just, but I'd like to hear opinions of people who live there or have visited more than the one time I took a train (both to Guildford and Leatherhead)
I liked Guildford town centre. The links into London are great and not too long a journey. Leatherhead's commute is a touch longer but still doable at 45 odd minutes. I have read that Leatherhead is getting a bit of a town makeover, but I always read things like this and always a delayed process. (?)
I have also visited Woking, Esher, Claygate, Oxshott, Reigate, Dorking, Horsham, Walton, Weybridge..

Can anyone send some words of wisdom? or Shed light on Leatherhead or Guildford?

Thanks so much in advance!

I loved guildford plus there fun pool is great for kids.Lots of shops good travel links and such lovely places to go for walks ,like the canals.I have since moved away from the area but it was such a lovely place

I wouldn't mention Leatherhead in the list of other towns you adore - it incongruous as it's opposite in terms of the vibe the other places have. It was last buzzing in about 1972 or whenever it was pedestrianised but you can get more house for your money. Have a look at Dorking?

How about Godalming? Might be more affordable than Guildford?

Cranleigh?

I wouldn’t have put Leatherhead and Guildford in the same sentence either. I should think Reigate would be out because of the train line - although it’s very much the vibe of Esher etc. Dorking is nice but how long is the commute. 60 mins? I don’t know Woking well but it has a fast trainline but doesn’t seem that exciting itself. A bit closer and with 3 options for trains is Epsom… I’m not sure how the house prices compare but it’s nicer than Leatherhead and has great schools. Ashtead is also nice.

I live in Guildford. We have a beautiful high street with great restaurants, coffee shops and high end shops. Like everywhere else, though, it's suffered since lockdown and many shops have gone (H&M, Monsoon, New Look etc). We have 2 good theatres and a cinema, a big leisure centre and huge park. We are within easy reach of gorgeous countryside.

Schools are all pretty good. You'll hear a lot of talk about how vital it is to get children into Guildford County secondary, but all the other secondaries are rated "good" or "outstanding". There are extremes of wealth in Guildford: we have one of Surrey's most deprived areas but at the other end of the scale, we have areas of great affluence.

It's very expensive to buy property in the town centre but a 2 bed is certainly possible with your budget. The train station is very accessible from the town centre and even for us (we live in the less salubrious north Guildford!), it's only a 30 min walk to the train station.

Journey to Waterloo is less than 40 minutes.

I wouldn’t be put off Esher/ Cobham/ East Mosely. Grew up in Cobham myself. Neighbours have house currently listed and they aren’t shifting for listed price atm so don’t be put off.

Look on the outskirts like Thames Ditton / Hersham etc and you will definitely find something in budget.

But also look around your ideal areas and you never know might be lucky with the current market and a doer upper.

Dorking is a good place to look

or If you would consider Leatherhead then definitely look at Redhill

cheaper than Reigate and guildford. New development opening in the centre. Quick commute to central

this is an easy walk to station for example www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129879962#/?channel=RES_BUY

Esther 595 on since 06/22 not shifting
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130294070#/?channel=RES_BUY

Oxshott 600k on since 07/22 not shifting.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129711746#/?channel=RES_BUY

Ah, see I only went once 2 years ago on foot and I didn’t get the best vibes.

the reason I put Leatherhead in because I saw a lovely house 😀 which is what always happens.. I see a lovely house and hope to be convinced that the areas isn’t “that” bad, haha. Dorking is a little further out but is still a lovely area!

Look at Ripley or Send near Guildford. Both have a village & community feel (especially Ripley) and both have some property within your budget. Good primary in Send and several good secondaries in Guildford.

www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/surrey-area-rated-happiest-place-25505931

Surrey Live have reported some unflattering things about Redhill but these surveys might be helpful

Leatherhead isn't that bad a place as all mentioned here. It ticks all boxes for schools, commute, eateries, community feeling and lovely houses for a decent budget. The only pull back is city center not having shops with clothes but who goes there everyday.