anyone help pls with areas to live W.Surrey/S.Bucks/N.Hamps./E.Berks - schools/towns/quality of life

[MissChief]

Just had "serious discussion" with dh and we've decided to look ahead to our next move and would really appreciate any help from others! Since making interim move out of London 2 years ago not quite settled in new town mainly due to its poor state school provision & quality of life locally (it's noisy - under flightpath, loads of cars everywhere, narrow streets, not enough green going on, not restful..).

We basically need the following:

1. to be within 45 mins commuting distance of Staines, Surrey
2. to have access to v good state schools - primary & secondary 2)to be ideally v nr to smallish town (by car or on foot) - with decent stuff going on such as cafes/shops/cinema/theatre/park
3. to escape the Heathrow flightpath! 4)to find somewhere where c.£500k gets you an oldish semi or detached 4-bed house of decent size with garden & parking
4. to find some peace & quiet! Maybe village location

If you're still with me so far is this too much to ask?? Any suggestions of where to look/places to avoid??
TIA!

Really naughty of me Misschief - but we're selling a 3 bedroom - huge gardened detached Hansel & Gretel style house in Windlesham, Surrey. Staies is just along A30 - it's £495,000 (on with Hamptons). Not sure about the schools - but it's a gorgeous village near Ascot and a big Waitrose nearby. Does anyone else know about schools in that area? It's got a gorgeous park, and little amenity shops on it's high street - a lovely safe, local feel....if not - best of luck to you anyhow - sorry to 'use' your thread in this way!!

good test, Klaus . our current place fulfils that criteria too so wouldn't want to give up that advantage!

I love, love Godalming but wondering if it's full of cars charging through it during the week (as most likely to go for Busbridge area over the other side of the A road from the town centre). I'm a fussy bugger, I know, but really like to be able to stroll around with buggy without cars flying past me inches from the babe - will Godalming pass this crucial test??!
Re other areas, dh has dismissed Reading area as being too far a drive.

Ah well Busbridge does have very good primary/junior school. Friend of mine has just put an offer in on a house in Busbridge which has been accepted. They have obviously done their homework as their DS1 is going to reception in September. She reckons, Busbridge has quite a local, villagey feel. How old are your children?

The high street is a bit narrow I suppose, but most people use the "bypass" unless they have business in Godalming. Only one way to find out, come and see us during the week.

I also have to come clean and say that despite an 18 year absence I was brought up in Guildford and went to sixth form in Godalming and it is a great place to bring up kids. You have loads of space, and enough culture, shops to stop you and the kids going round the twist.

v. tempting - just wonder if dh could really stand the commute up the A3 & M25 twice a day.
So you're in Guildford now then, Klaus? Your friend was v lucky to get into Busbridge infants - I had no luck when I called (yr ahead though - got 5 yr old ds).
GG - thanks for the info on yr house (rather nr where we currently live!). We're looking to live in a character town - probably Windlesham is too small to fulfil that criteria, good luck with yr move anyway!

Thanks Misschief - and good luck to you too!

did you go to school in G'ford Klauz?

Sure did, PD infant school, HT middle school and the County. My old latin teacher still teaches there, thought he was old then but 18 years later he looks the same.

Only 2 bed though (looks bigger - must be shallow)

£415K for 2 bedrooms?

What can you get for that where you are?

Sorry, to janh

£400K

£365K

£385K

i live in earley which is reading, and although not really of my choosing, it has nice schools, good shops, and easy access to town, and other towns e.g basingstoke etc, £500k would buy a fantastic house.

personally if i had that much i would be looking more towards ascot, sunningdale, although your money certainly doesn't go as far. my friend from uni lives in gerrard cross in ahuge great big 1.25 million house, that has some nicer houses for about the £500k mark as well as being a short distance from good towns, although not sure on the schools, her 2 go private so maybe not a good indication of wahts avalaible there.

janh

Sunningdale would probably fit the bill.