Is New Haw in Surrey a nice place to live

[dina3amarantha]

Hi all,

I'm looking to move into the Surrey area after being gazzumped on a property in Wimbledon.

We have seen almost 20 houses in Weybridge/Walton/Addlestone/New Haw/Woking/Hersham/Chertsey.

We really liked the houses in New Haw and Addlestone as we felt they were really worth moving out of London for but have heard some not very pleasant things about these areas. Are they really that bad?

Also, we are looking for an area with good schools as our son will be starting reception in September.

Things would have been so much easier had we not been gazzumped but hopefully the move to Surrey will be a good one for all

Thanks for your help

It's ok.

Addlestone is cheaper because it doesn't have the fast train into Waterloo whereas you can walk to West Byfleet from New Haw.

The schools are fine/good.

What have you heard that is bad?

I'm originally from Woking and don't think they're that bad. Chertsey probably the worst place of the ones you've listed, Weybridge the nicest (and priciest). Woking has good and not so good areas, quite a few decent schools around though. Wish I could afford to move back to Surrey but if we sold our 3 bed house in the East Midlands we might be able to afford a 2 bed flat there if we're lucky.

I have to say it depends on what you are comparing to and which particular streets/areas you are looking at. Some places are in school black holes where you may not get a place etc. New Haw you will def get a reception place at The Grange which is a good school.

Personally I wouldn't move to Chertsey if you were planning on state schools.

New Haw is fine, West Byfleet and Woodham also fine. Both The Grange in New Haw and West Byfleet Infants are good schools. Am also curious what you've heard that's bad?!

What's your budget for a house?

As it's nearly September, you will have to do an in year entry and I suspect both schools mentioned above are full - try the Surrey County Council website to see, or give them a call. Will you rent for a bit?

Random, for this September at the Grange?

(OP, you might also want to post on the MN Local site for Surrey)

Ah I'm not sure for this September - was thinking entry Sept 2014 however with 3 class entry you stand a good chance as it's not always full. Wonder if Pyrford has spaces as that has expanded?

Only bad think I can think of is the teens hanging about in the evenings which as far as I can tell happens almost everywhere!

Op, do you or DH need to commute by train?

As long as OP isn't hanging out by the canal all evening then

Thanks all for your help.

My DH would be commuting to the City of London so would need good services to Waterloo or if there are other stops in the City that he could get to.

It also seems that Byfleet is the closest school to the house by 0.1 of a mile. If that place was offered to me by the council would i have to take it or could I get a place at another that is slightly further away, obviously depending on places available?

The Grange or West Byfleet looks like a very good school and those are 0.7 and 0.9 miles from the house (Byfleet is 0.6 miles).

Then new haw or west Byfleet would be better than addlestone for the commute for your DH.

Is it for sep 2013 you need a place?

You can see on the Surrey CC website the last distance admitted for recent years but you'd be unlikely to get West Byfleet on that distance, I think, even it it's a sep 2014 place you need.

I would ring up the schools and see if they have spaces/ask to go on the waiting lists. I don't think there is a truly awful infant/primary school in the locality.