Difference between Kingston and Teddington/Strawberry Hill

[PallySally]

We're thinking about moving out from SE London, nearer to our families who are in Hampshire. I have a colleague who lives in Twickenham and it would seem to fit the bill but using Rightmove, there seems to be a marked difference in price between houses in Teddington and Strawberry Hill and similar houses in Kingston. I think they're all on the same train line so I'm not sure what to make of it - is Kingston rougher than I'd thought? Views from local MNetters welcome.

Kingston rough - good lord! Possibly a little more mixed - great area to live, Richmond Park on doorstep, river, beautiful market town.... Teddington, S Hill, posher generally, smaller. And Kingston closer for Hampshire. Not trying to sell it to you - house prices bad enough here already!

Teddington and Strawberry Hill are much smaller areas than Kingston, and more homogenous. They are very affluent, good schools, low crime etc. They are both lovely (and very close each other); my main preference for Teddington (where I live) is because it has a better high street than SH - more of a centre - and that is important to me.

Kingston covers a much larger area and is more mixed. There are very posh bits and not so posh bits. Also loads of good schools. Big shopping centre, great shops, much more urban and busy feeling, more rough on a Saturday night. More racially and socially diverse, more vibrant.

So I think that you will find Kingston properties that are cheap relative to Teddington and Strawberry Hill, but also properties that are just as expensive.

Twickenham is up the road from Strawberry Hill. it is more of a centre, but not as good shopping as Kingston. Some nice bits, but it's not to my taste as much as the other areas. However, it does have a much quicker train line into central London.

USP of each of them, summed up:
Kingston: great shopping, great schools, grammar schools if that's your thing, some lovely parts, nightlife
Twickenham: 20 minutes into Waterloo, some good schools, some lovely streets and houses
Teddington: smaller and quieter, nice high street, great schools, good community atmosphere, very safe feeling, you'll want to get within the catchment of Teddington School for secondary
Strawberry Hill: smaller and quieter still, some lovely huge houses if you can afford them, great primaries, if you have daughters you'll get them into Waldegrave School which is considered fantastic

Frankly, they're all very naice areas. Just visit and see which suits you best - you can walk from Kingston up through Teddington and Strawberry Hill into Twickenham within an hour (and then walk back along the river - lovely).

Agree with Devora; also Twickenham is within striking distance of the district line at Richmond and the overground to Stratford ( short bus ride over the bridge). I think Teddington is much 'naicer' than Twickenham, but the train line is much slower.

Thanks, all - really useful. We've had visitors since I first posted so have only just caught up now but there's lots of food for thought here.

Bear in mind they are different boroughs, too. Twickenham/SH/Teddington are in Richmond borough (unlike Kingston, obviously) and if you have a small low-emissions car (Mini, Polo, Fiat 500 etc) you will qualify for free parking throughout the borough which is a huge bonus for us. Free parking at Deer park and straight onto the District line. Kingston has much more choice of shops but we prefer the feel of Richmond/Twick/Teddington. However, there is more aircraft noise - Kingston wouldn't have the same racket from the aircraft. Have a look at the transport links - access to the A316 was important for us, it's very handy being able to reach M25 or M3 without horrible traffic tangles. Good luck in your search. All the areas you mention have great access to green space which is a wonderful bonus.