Places to live near East Croydon - Please help

[3catstoo]

Hi,

We currently live in a village in Bucks. My DH works in London but will soon be moving offices to East Croydon. The journey will be 2 hrs each way so we really need to move.
Neither of us know that area. We have 3 children (DS 6, DD1 5 and DD2 2).

Ideally we want a 3/4 bed house with a big garden, in a place with good shopping facilities that could be walked to or easily reached by public transport.
Currently I have to drive to everything. Our village has one small shop and 2 pubs.
DH would also like to be within easy reach of London just in case his job moves again.
Good schools and facilities for children are a must.
Our budget isn't great. Max £375,000.

DH said Dorking has a good connection. Never been there though.

In October my parents are having the children for a short weekend so that DH and I can stay in a B & B to check out our chosen area(s).

Can anyone recommend any where in this area?
Any suggestions would be greatfully received.

Thanks LIZS,

Are you in that area then?
Would you recomennd it?

It sounds like there is plenty to do with the children.

The house on Cockshot Hill is between Lime Close and Broadhurst Gdns. Not on the main road bit but just behind a hedge I think. Still a busy road though.
There's another house in Alma Rd and another on Hilltop Rd and another on Carlton Rd.
I'm guessing that Carlton Rd goes through Reigate and Redhill as I have seen a different house listed as Redhill in that Rd.
seems like a nice Rd.

Thanks for the useful info.

I'm nearer Gatwick atm but am looking for a house in Dinny's direction. Carlton Road area is quite sought after apparently, but a bit 70's iyswim, and the Wray Common/Gatton Park end is just in Reigate I think. Alma Road is good for the station depending on whereabouts the house is(it is a fairly long road !) and Hilltop Road is in a nice area, but don't know the actual street.

Thank you.
Just spoke to the agent about the Cockshot Hill house. It is on the main rd. Shame because it is nice with a big ish garden too.
We ahve 3 cats so I'm not sure if it would work out being on a main rd.

The one in alma rd was no good because of the garden not being connected to the house. Sounds strange.

That's a shame , the houses are good sizes along there .

The Family Grapevine has several editions across Surrey and Sussex. It used to be online too. Good listing of what is around for children int he area , tots group, activities, local nurseries, playgroups and schools, libraries, sports, doctors, days out etc.

Thanks car25 and LIZS. What a helpful bunch you are.
It's good to hear there are places to go and things to do. It's one of the problems with moving so far.
You've been really helpful, thanks.

Hvae called some schools to check if there are places in Reigate. Holmesdale Infant has a place for both children at the moment, that could change, of course.

I didn't realise that we need to apply now for DS to transfer to Junior School in Sept 2007. The deadline is 19th October. There's no way we will have an address by then.
DH has decided that we will rent to start with to put us in a better position.

It's still 6 weeks before we go and stay overnight to look around. That seems too long to wait. Especially for an impatient whatsit like me.

Did you come to Reigate to have a look 3Cats? I have just seen this thread. Have lots of exeperiences with the area/ schools you are talking about - do get in touch if you want to chat more!

We came this weekend.
Stayed in a hotel in West Street.

Our only problem is finding a house in a nice area within our budget.

I think we will be looking at 3 bed victorian houses with no off street parking on roads with lots of people in the same situation.
We would like a decent sized garden too.
We have the added complication of having 3 very silly cats who will sit in the middle of the road and not move even if a car comes along. We live in a cul de sac currently and our neighbours are used to our mad cats.

If we do move we will rent in Reigate first to put us in a better position when houses come on the market.

Someone recommended Holmesdale School and The Priory School. Holmesdale had one space in both year one and 2 when I last spoke to them, things may have changed since though.

What are your thoughts on those?

Info from someone who lives there would be great. Thanks for the offer.

We are also looking for swimming pools that have slides, more of a leisure pool than a swimming pool.
Where we are now we have a great leisure centre with an ordinary pool where the children have lessons but we also have (10 miles away) an Aquavale pool which has rapids and slides. My DH loves going there with the children and would love to find somewhere similar if we move.

Where are you in Reigate (roughly)?
You can email me if you would rather.

Thanks again.
xxxx

I've heard positive things about Holmesdale but it is infanst only so they have to move on to another school for year 3 . Priory is very popular and the applications will be due in around end of October for September 2007 entry, as you'll miss the deadline it could be Easter before you find a definite place.

There is a leisure pool in Oxted, although not been there myself, and they are planning a new pool in Horley to replace the current one, although that is several years off.

LIZS are you ReigateMum?

Thanks. DH will be pleased about the leisure pool.
It was the least of my worries but I would rather he was totally happy!

I have the application form ready for the junior school. I spoke to Surrey Council a while back. They were most helpful and told me to apply anyway and then update them once we have a Reigate address. At least by applying we get on the waiting list and once we have a Reigate address we may move up the waiting list.

Can you recommend any other schools?

I guess I also have to think of DD2. She is 2 but is due to start our local pre school, one day a week in April.
I guess if their is a pre school attached to Holmesdale then I need to put her name on a list too. ?

So much to think about.

there not their.

Nope we're different Mnetters, there are quite a few around here! There is a West Sussex / Surrey meet up thread running but they seem to have kids rather younger than mine.

How old are your children?

8 and 5

Mine are 7, 5 and 2. So not too different from yours.
Do they go to one of the local shools?

No they're at an independent , we don't actually live in Reigate

Have you moved recently? When I first started the thread I know you had looked at some houses in an area that another Mnetter lived in. Did anything come of that?

No our buyer pulled out so we're still on the market !

It takes so long doesn't it/
I dread the thought I the whole process dragging on.