Moving back to Surrey after 15 years abroad

[Sazzz1e]

Hi all,

I'm moving back to the UK at the end of June after 25 years in Spain. I'll be based in Pirbright, near Woking, for my work but am fast getting dazzled choosing a place to live with my little girl who's currently 17 months.

I'm looking at the Knaphill -St Johns - Horsell area of Woking and the top end of Guildford as nearer options and then at Fleet, Church Crookham, Elvetham Heath as possible further options. What's Frimley Green like? I'll be renting at first and then buying in about a year's time.

As a single Mum, my priorities are to live in a place which is child friendly and which has at least a few local shops. I'd like the option of countryside walks and don't want more than 30 minutes driving to work. I don't want to be in the centre of town and a train station would be good if possible although it doesn't have to be super quick. I'm happy with a village if people are friendly and you can easily and safely walk around with a little one in tow, ie: not along the side of a main road without pavements.

The more I read about each area the more confused I get and it's extremely difficult to imagine from where I am and after so many years out of England.

Any advice you can give me would be gratefully received!!

Well the best thing is that with the age of your DD you will be able to move if you don 't land in the right place straight away. The areas you mention sound okay, and there are lots of young families around.
I would go for the nicest rental you can afford, and try to get involved in things (if you can get any week time off to go to a toddler group that is a great way to meet people). Activities and nursery/ CM are a good way to meet people and get to know the area.

I used to have a friend from Knaphill. Goldsworth park area is a bit estatey (and some parts are a bit ropy), but has a lovely park with walk around a lake, it melds into the base of Knaphill (which is better in terms of housing). The primary school for Knaphill (St John's) got an Ofsted drubbing last year but has had a change of leadership since then and I understand is improving. Knaphill generally felt pretty safe when I visited and has a good parade of shops, a toddler group (church hall based I think) and Milano pizza is excellent! Horsell is extremely naice but extortionately expensive and more isolated. Good luck!

Thanks! I thought about trying to join toddler groups as a good way to meet people. I've been out of the UK for so long I kind need to start again. I have some very good and dear old friends in the UK but no one in that area. Also since I'll be renting first, I can always change before school time.

Firstly, it will be great to move with your daughter that age, as already said. I made firm friends with people I met at toddler group and our DC have continued to grow up together and go to school together, and most importantly have play dates together while us mums have coffee :-)

Secondly, brace yourself for a move back to your own culture. I did it after 11 years abroad and wasn't prepared for the feelings of homesickness I had. People didn't get it because they said "But you've come home now!" Only it just didn't feel the same as when I left all those years before. I had really acclimatised into the culture of where I lived and it took me some time to settle back into the English way of doing things. Even stuff like how the banks operated threw me because they seemed so behind where I'd been. And social customs through me too ... People didn't greet me in the way I'd been used to so it all felt a bit colder at first. However now I love it and am really glad to live in the UK.

All the best.

Hi Sazzz1e, best of luck with your imminent move.

You could try posting this on our Local Surrey site too: local.mumsnet.com/Talk/surrey/local-active

Cherry, Local Editor