Tolworth/Ewell - views on the area

[Mnb556]

Hi. We are looking to move out of Dulwich as sadly we can't buy a house in the area and we are looking at Surrey. Surbiton would have been our first choice, but again it is looking too expensive. So we are thinking maybe Tolworth or Ewell would provide better value for money, but with still good links into town. Does anyone know anything about these areas, and whether the schooling is any good, we have a 16 month old daughter so we would be looking to stay in our new house for a few years. Any advice would be gratefully received, as my head is hurting with all the house hunting and just not knowing if we are even looking in the right place. Thank you.

I used to live in Tolworth and was utterly miserable there.

It is very, very unattractive and run down and the constant lack of green got me very down. It seems like the council couldn't care less about it being pretty or having any pride in it.

It was also on the news for having the most air polluted schools as something like 10,000 cars drive on the A3 everyday.

Was used to drive me utterly mad was how the constant traffic used to add time and stress to every journey. Even going just over to Surbiton could take 20 mins plus as the traffic was awful. It should have been a 4 minute drive! Don't get me started on trying to get onto the A3. If you like going out places further than your own doorstep I wouldn't recommend the area as the constant traffic will be unbearable.

I also found some people were anti social and let their kids piss all over our garden which one of the final straws for me. Also somebody stole a radiator we left for 10 minutes in our front garden.

Used to hate the Broadway at night lots of hoodies hanging about.

Good things - M&S food . I suppose the quick connection to London too but DH said the train was packed and horrible. The Doctors surgery was good. Nice to be nearish to Richmond park but again took ages to get there.

Sorry to be so negative but I despised living there in the end and was utterly relieved the day we moved.

Tolworth has changed considerably since theorignial lived there! It's really up and coming now as people have been priced out of Surbo. Has an outstanding primary and all the secondaries are good. It's not very green though but you are only fifteen minutes walk from a park at the most. I've lived on surb/Tolworth border for three years and its never taken me more than five minutes to drive to Surbiton and its only a fifteen minute walk anyway. What's your budget? Some roads I would avoid but it's generally lovely.

Ewell I don't know as well but I know east ewell/ the village is the nice bit and west ewell a bit ropier. Stoneleigh is supposed to be lovely. Fantastic secondaries.

Oh and they are revamping the broadway in Tolworth at the moment, not a clue what it will look like but they are doing something big!

I think it depends a bit where you live in Tolworth. Tolworth/Surbiton borders can be nice and there is some good property. I think that bit is a bit up and coming.

I moved just a short way into Surrey and I do prefer it. I have considered Tolworth when considering a future move but tbh the main thing that puts me off is the lack of a real centre. I like a central street/amenities with a different feel to the Broadway.

What about Long Ditton?

I would choose Ewell over Tolworth if you ahve a family (with poss exception of Tolworth/Surbiton borders). Stoneleigh is nice and you are in the catchment for Cheam schools (secondary so a bit in advance but worth thinking about for resale)

Tolworth's all right now. The schools are really good and Alexandra Park is just over the Ewell Road. That said though, when we were buying a few years ago we did choose a small house in Surbiton over a big house in Tolworth. The traffic in Tolworth can be really bad.

At the end of the day Surbiton and the Dittons are nicer than Tolworth. You pays your money and takes your choice I think.