Talk to me about living in Sutton (or somewhere else that might work)

[aStarWithHerOwnWays]

DH is very likely to be taking a new job in Farringdon any day now (has had several interviews and one offer so far, is waiting to hear back from everyone before making a decision). We currently live in E Mids so will be looking at moving back down South in fairly short order, and I'm trying to get a feel for where might be good to go.

We have a 2yo DS and another baby on the way. DH would like to be on an overground line into Farringdon so we're looking at places like Sutton, but are open to suggestions. I am from SE London originally but have very mixed feelings about living in London proper again. We're renting atm and would be renting once we move, but hope to buy in a year or two depending on how life goes.

Can anyone tell me what living in Sutton is like for families with young DC? Any help or alternative suggestions much appreciated :) Thanks.

Have you considered Redhill (yes, the "pit"! :p)
We moved there a year ago, from beautiful Balham, and I'm learning to like it. We had a decent enough budget that we could have afforded Reigate but we both commute and I just couldn't face the misery of the Reigate branch line on a daily basis. We now live between the two - walkable into Redhill in 10 minutes and Reigate in 20 minutes. It is still on the Southern misery line, but it has improved and Redhill's 2018 service is going to be much faster into London Bridge (less than 30 mins, twice an hour, and additional slower trains).

Redhill is a funny place - there is currently a LOT of money being poured into it, the town centre is undergoing enormous regeneration, and there's definitely a more positive feeling about the place. But it still has its rough parts, and it's going to take a while to become gentrified. It does have a wide selection of good schools, a decent leisure centre, a huge new Sainsburys, and some high street stores (H&M, M&S etc) in its Belfry Centre.

The surrounding areas are beautiful, and there's a lot of green spaces....Priory Park in Reigate is a real hub (Saturday mornings especially, it must be one of the busiest places in Surrey!), and the Surrey Hills and North Downs are easily accessible. It's a great place to have a dog! I keep my horse in Reigate and hack over Reigate Heath, which is another lovely spot.

Hi
We are moving to sutton at Kingston avenue with a child....Would like to know how is the place to live with family....
Thank you

I have been in Sutton for the last 20 years and as far as safety goes I think Sutton is one of the safest boroughs in the capital if not one of the best in the country it has some of the best free schools in the country
very good links to the city
Sutton is now very much a Urban suburb with a vibrant young population

a lot of the old people have moved on
Sutton is a perfect place to raise a family

I'm glad this thread has now been brought up to date, as back in January I too was asking the same question regarding Sutton.
I moved to Sutton at the beginning of February, and I don't regret it one bit. it's a safe area, the schools have an excellent reputation, and is very vibrant.
I like the fact that due to Sutton point being such a prominent project, I amazed every time I walk past it, and picture what it will do for the area going forward, I noticed that on the high street new businesses are opening up, a new H&M is coming soon.
There are frequent trains to London Victoria and London Bridge, I believe 8 trains in total per hour to victoria, and 2 per hour to London Bridge, which for a rail station is excellent, but also that a bus ride away you can be in Morden which has the underground.
The Future looks bright for Sutton :)