Surrey MNetters - another relocation query

[Gem13]

DH now works in Godalming and we are down on the south coast so it makes sense to move closer to his work and cut down on his commute.

We have moved around the UK a lot but never ventured into Surrey so we have no idea what it is like.

We have a toddler and a baby and I am after a house which is walking distance to a town or some shops (newsagents, post office, corner shop, excuse to go for a walk and get out of the house), toddler groups and playschools but which isn't on a main road (cats) or on a pub route.

Looking for Victorian/Edwardian houses. Whenever I do searches on primelocation etc. I only seem to find 1950s 'Good Life' type detached homes.

I have driven through Godalming once on the way to Guildford but can't remember much about it. I know some mumsnetters live near Haslemere and Guildford and any information would be welcome.

TIA

sorry to but in but have you decided to move back to London then ks?

happy new year to you too ks and your tribe! Glad you have come to a decision at last, it is awful being an adult isnt it?

Thanks KS that's very helpful. Have checked out the estate agents. Feel happier about possibly moving now. It was difficult as my only image of the place was of the roundabout near Sainsburys!

Not too worried about schools as we only plan to be there for maximum of 5 years (and then leave the country!) so it's more the pre-school environment (nice mums really) that's the issue.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that I want to be able to walk with the children easily. We're in the country ATM and it's driving me mad having to load them in the car all the time to do anything.

Plus gem, i have heard the 'surrey' diet is VERY good

actually ks did I mention that my dh has an interview in farnborough next week

Brought up in Guildford, sixth form college in Godalming. TBH I think Godalming is a wee bit twee and small, though they do have the best Waitrose in the universe. Guildford has more life and since I lived there has got even better with huge cinema complex, brilliant sports centre, more restaurants and some of the best shopping short of London. They even have a castle, cobbled high street and cathedral. Train from Guildford to Godalming very regular and takes 10 minutes.

Horrendously expensive area

Thanks Kaz33 for that. Would you live in Guildford as opposed to Godalming then?

KS - can I pick your brains on areas as I investigate?

If so what is Farncombe like? (Nice house we could just about afford therefore must be dodgy somehow...)

Definitely live in Guildford as opposed to Godalming, no probs with Farncombe at all, the houses as I recall are a bit more modern and less sexy. And of course Farncombe has a train station on the guildford/godalming line.

TBH the whole area is lovely, great country pubs, the river wey, beautiful countryside, the downs, the chantries. If I hadn't been brought up there and if we could afford a big enough house I would definitely put it top of my relocation list

Jmg1 - lovely Lewes. 7 miles north east of Brighton. Lewes, Brighton and Hove are great.

How old are your children?

Don't know why I asked now! Hove seems to be buzzing with young families. I like it because it is flat and has easy access to the sea. Brighton seems to go back further. Have a friend in Brighton who lives in a nice area but it is hilly and too far to walk to the sea. Friend in Hove seems to spend most summer days on the beach. Lewes is great but small so not much choice in housing. All the schools are good though.

ks - have been thinking about this some more and we will probably need to think about schools as by the time we move DS will be a year from starting () and so there may be related nursery school issues involved too. I know you're very organised re. education and I was wondering if you knew of a school map/list so that I could see where the nearest schools are in relation to houses?

Also, the interesting house is on Frith Hill. DH is going to have a nose around the town today but is Frith Hill walking distance to all the goings-on in Busbridge?

Frith Hill is unfortunately notwalking distance to Busbridge but is walking distance to the centre of Godalming and all the stuff that that offers. I lived in Farncombe for 4 years - loved the place - great butchers and soft play area for children - but there is a big estate there that isn't so good and I'm not that convinced about the quality of the schools - but as long as your choose where to live then it's great. Frith Hill is really nice by the way - drive past every day on my way to Farncombe train station!!

We recently (well 2 years ago) moved out to Milford - which is two miles outside Godalming. Also another great place to consider - local shops - in fact a fantastic farm shop on your doorstep, places to walk, parks, chemist, post office, etc.and a bit less pricey than Godalming (i.e. Busbridge) so you get more space for your money. House next door to us which is an 1890's 3 bedroomed semi just sold for £390k - I think.

There's loads going on all around the area for toddlers/babies - Godalming town during the week is pushchair city and I always found any local Mums I met to be really friendly.

Happy to answer any other questions though....but basically I love living where we do!

JUst picking up on the comment on Farnham as I live there. I prefer Farnham to Godalming as it's not so twee in my opinion. It's got excellent schools (one of which, a Primary,is top of the Surrey league tables), a Castle, huge park, Leisure Centre, a river, good shops, Waitrose, 2 Sainsburys, good selection of restaraunts and coffee places and good selection of different types of housing. There's a new development planned for 2006 to include a cinema.

The more prestigious area is South Farnham (where the top schools are) although the town centre has lots of good areas too and there are some lovely character houses backing onto Farnham Park.

From what I can tell, there are also plenty of mums and toddler groups, a Montessori nursery (if that's your cup of tea) and soft play centres within a few miles.

Guildford and Basingstoke shopping centres and leisure parks are only 25 minutes away (max) for a greater range of shops and leisure facilities and you can be at the coast in 45 minutes.

The only downside for commuting into London is that it takes 75 minutes into Waterloo.

Average house price for a 3-bed is from £220,000 to around £300k but you'll pay over £300k for a character house in South Farnham.

I live in a 10 year old town house, 5 minutes walk into the centre, backing onto a meadow and can walk through the fields in the summer to get into town. Our house is worth around £280k.

Godalming would take about 25 minutes to get to in rush hour from Farnham.

Hope this helps

Thank you both for your replies. Your information is really helpful. I used to be quite happy about moving house, we've moved around a lot in the past, but 2 children and all their stuff later it's become rather daunting.

We are concentrating on getting this house ready to sell (tidying, cleaning, etc.) before we come and explore the area. Godalming still remains appealing as DH could walk to work which would be a first in 12 years but it's interesting to hear about Farnham and Milford.