Where to live in Guilford - primaries?

[GarnishWithALemonTwist]

First post, hope this is in the right place. We want to be living in Guilford by the summer. DS1 is in year 2, DS2 is in nursery (so Year 3 and Reception for September). Which are the best areas to look so that:

they both have a chance to walk to a decent primary state school
house is period in a nice road
walkable into Guilford
budget is £700K
will consider renting

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Sorry, Guildford

Don't worry, I'm always reading threads where people can't spell Guildford

There are some very nice schools (and houses) in Merrow and Burpham. Not many are period type though from memory. Just outside Guildford you have Bramley which is also nice but slightly more expensive. Schools there are apparently excellent.

I know it seems a long way away, but if you are looking at staying in state for secondary I would move next door to the George Abbot School and take whatever state primary comes your way!

Have you posted before? There are very few period homes in your budget walkable to the town centre. For state schools move to Burpham or possibly Merrow and be next to George Abbott. But you are not walkable to the town centre, loads of buses though and there are no period houses. Sounds like you are used to the London 3 bed convert the loft type victorian terraces, they don't really exist in Guildford. There are some lovely victorian mansions at £1m+ in the centre of guildford though.

Reception places are very scarce in guildford and you may find that you can't get the same school for both children at first, this has happened to friends. Look at the villages too - Send, Ripley, Bramley, Shere, Shalford primary school places may be less scarce.

Thank you for all your replies. Fiddledee yes, sorry, I posted in Homes & Property because I panicked after 20 minutes of no replies here; sorry I'm new . I am just very concerned that if we don't find anywhere soon, our buyers are going to pull out. You're quite right I'm used to London's period houses; I have always lived in London and didn't realise that houses outside London are not like that. Quite a culture shock for me actually. So should we forget about the dream of living in Guildford (and I do mean Guildford town) with that budget we have?. I just want to live somewhere that is walkable into town and not having to rely on buses or car. I also want to take my children to school by foot all year round and to their out of school activities. Am I dreaming?

Okay for example, this house looks great but what am I missing: www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sales/1991458

That house does look nice actually

You could try poking around on the Mumsnet Local Guildford board. There always seem to be threads about moving to Guildford, seems to be a popular area

Ooh, thanks PurveyorOfBaloney. I didn't realise there was such a board!

Godalming may be a better bet - but few period houses there too and the best areas are quite a walk (and a steep climb) from the high street. Farnham? Even in Guildford you will find that their out of school activities requires a car, even if you live in the centre. Also you may live in town but their friends may not. I don't think Guildford meets your spec to be honest - west London is what you are describing!

I have visited Godalming but I do not like it actually, too small. Same with Farnham.

Garnish - I have posted on the local board thread. I know that house you have linked to, I live around the corner! The primary school for that house would be www.sandfield.surrey.sch.uk/.

There is a railway embankment at the end of the garden - you did notice that.

The house is right next to the railway line.
But guildford is perfectly suitable for not driving.
Theatre, cinema, leisure centre with ice rink and swimming pool and loads of activity classes.pus mainline station with regular reasonable journey to Waterloo. Plus shops, restaurants etc etc.

But central guildford is either eye waveringly expensive or a bit shabby. And factor in the pubs, clubs and nightlife - those pissed people tend to wander around shrieking in the early hours.

Yes, I agree with that. There is lots to do but lively it isn't.
It suits me but I am not a teenager

The good rail connections help though - ds1 spends a lot of the weekend on trains going to friends houses and parties.
But equally the opposite is true - all his friends in surrounding villages just jump on the train to get to school and him

Godalming is lovely. Just to be clear

Horsell is lovely - but not sure if you could walk into Guildford. You can easily walk into Woking though and schools in Horsell are good.

this is nice

Whoops - sorry, got a bit carried away and forgot you weren't posting in 'property'. I get a bit click-happy when it comes to Rightmove

Ooh yes, it is caracoli or something similar.

It is very nice but I keep forgetting it is there! I love the food section up there.
Have you tried wild garlic - right at the top end of the high street , past blockbuster etc? They have a great tick box menu so I can order everything plain for ds2
They do coffee too. But I never remember to head there either.

I live in Guildford,and would recommend Onslow Village for walking distance to nursery,infant and middle schools. Guildford County Secondary school would be in walking distance too,although by that stage the DC's could get a bus to George Abbot,if preferred. Most houses are 1920/30's,so do have some character.

Caracoli is lovely, it's my child free coffee treat when DH has DS, happy to sit there gazing down the high street.

Agree that whilst there is lots of things to do, it's not lively. We moved here from East London and find it very different. Much quieter, and also you lack the whole, "theres a new bar/cafe/restaurant opening every week" vibe that you get living in London.

However, its great for having small children, and being able to walk into the town centre has been a life line for me since having DS.

Agree that Onslow village is a good area, great school catchment. Otherwise as Pag says, some parts of central Guildford can be quite shabby, with a lot of student lets.

Have you considered some of the villages on the outskirts? Bramley, Shalford etc?

Apparently, there is a new cafe on Tunsgate called Glutton and Glee.

Anyone tried it yet?

Hello! I'm salivating already!
Right, we're quite determined Guilford's right for us so we'll rent if need be.

Lovedmyheyday, thanks for that' problem is there's no houses for sale at all!! Area sounds great though.