Somewhere lovely (and cheapish) to live within an hour of Epsom, Surrey??

[NeverReady]

We currently live in SE London but are looking to move, mostly because of schools. Criteria is: an hour's commute (car or train)from Epsom because of DH's job. Good secondary schools and the possibility of buying a 3 bed house for up to 350k. I have a feeling that our budget rules out much of Surrey! Does anyone know of such a place and if so could you tell me all about it?

By good schools I don't necessarily mean top of the league table but more friendly with reasonable results, if that makes any sense at all. We are very used to living in the city but are up for a change.

Thanks for answering Batters! I had a look at the schools some time ago but got the impression that it was mostly selective. Any schools in particular i should look at? We'd be looking for DD first as she is coming to the end of primary but have a DS too - he's only little so don't have to worry about him for a while.

Up the Waterloo line from Epsom you have Ewell West, Stoneleigh, Worcester Park - many 1930's surburban 3 bed homes and others here well within your budget like these in Worcester Park for instance.

If 'lovely' for you means a cottage with 1/2 an acre in the countryside though, I am afraid you won't get very far with £350,000 in Surrey.

I know teachers at independent schools with kids at both Blenheim and Rosebury. Or are you thinking of trying for state grammar?

Batters - thanks for suggesting those schools. Had heard of Rosebery but not the others so will have a look at those.

MrV- I know I'd have to go much further afield to get a cottage with 'grounds'!! I'd settle for an area with good schools and a low crime rate to be honest. I'm not sure about grammar schools. Whilst DD is bright (I would say that obviously) she does not seem hugely motivated academically at the moment.

Blenheim School is fine but avoid the surrounding area for houses. You'd get a decent house for your money there but the area isn't great. You only have to go a few minutes up the road for it to vastly improve.

Very diplomatic Eyeballs, the area surrounding Blenheim is a massive council estate and whilst not awful if you can avoid it, do.

Come to Epsom though, it's fab, look at this well within your budget!

most of the schools around there are absolutely fine. some are brilliant. and i'm sure you can find a three bed familyhome within that range anywhere there.
try sutton, or north cheam, they have nice places,a d even the bad schools are good.

Thanks so much this! Can I just ask if anyone knows whether catchment areas are very tight for 'desirable' schools as they are in some parts of london? I guess what I'm trying to say is would we have to live right on top of the school to get a place? I dread the upheaval and expense of moving only to find we've missed out by a couple of roads! (Actually, answering my own question, I guess I'd just call the school's admission office.)
Think it's time to go and have a proper look around the area - I had pretty much discounted it but it sounds like there's hope after all!

on the sutton side, there is a serious creaming off to the grammar schools. so cathment not so important.

Catchment not tight for Blenheim. Tighter for Rosebery and Glyn (the boys school) you have to live in a 3 mile radius and that's not guaranteed, thought they both have some selective places so your DC could sit the 11+ and get in that way.

Problem with Epsom is that some big housing developments are going in on old hospital grounds, putting added strain on schools...

Those houses are only in catchment for Blenheim and Epsom & Ewell though aren't they?

Epsom has a bit of everything I think..that's why it was voted best town by channel 4 a couple of years ado. Rosebury is a good girls state school and glyn the corresponding boys. Both are in nice parts of town so you shold be able to afford a house on that budget now (but not a year ago!). Good luck!

The houses seem to be in the catchment areas for those schools, so it really depends on the numbers applying and the appeals decisions..

The good thing too about Epsom, is that it is in spitting distance to some good grammar schools in Kingston, Wallington and Sutton ..

Epsom seems to be changing ... ....