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Original poster

Possible move to Surrey - HELP!?!?

33 replies

RubyBest · 27/02/2015 22:13

Hello All,

I've spent a fair amount of time on mumsnet since I was pregnant with my first boy (now 3 and a half) but only ever as a casual viewer however recent life developments have caused me to register and cry for help!

My husband has been offered an amazing opportunity with work that would see us relocate (probably only for around 2 years) from our small town in Scotland (Doune) to somewhere in Surrey. His work would see him commute to New Malden so we are looking at quite a large area but trying to stay as close as possible. Dorking area a possibility but no further out.

We have 2 boys - one who will turn 4 in May and another just turned 1. And a lovely cocker spaniel ;)

I love my home. I love the area. I love the quiet cul de sac we live on. The woodland out back for the dog. I love the friends I have made and the friends my oldest has made here. However it's a great chance for us all as a family and we need to really consider it.

So! Mumsnet! Where do I start? Where to rent? Schools? Areas? Social circles?

Any and ALL advice hugely welcome. Confused

OP posts:
BlackBettyBamALam · 27/02/2015 22:22

Dorking is lovely, very pretty but not a lot in the way of useful shops. However, you have Guildford and Reigate nearby. There are loads of lovely little villages round there if you prefer to be out of the main town. Lots of great walks around the North Downs.
Re schools, be aware that there are quite a few infant schools (reception, yr 1 and yr2), so moving up to a primary school or middle school can be interesting. Better to try and get your kids into a primary school from the start so less change for them.

BlackBettyBamALam · 27/02/2015 22:24

Also the traffic can be abysmal, so a long commute is fairly standard.

musicinspring1 · 27/02/2015 22:28

Hi, I grew up near New Malden, will try and help! will your dh commute on by train/bud or drive? Ehat length commute would you consider? Do you want state or private school/not bothered. Do you want tiny village/big village/town/big town? Rough budget?

WorkingBling · 27/02/2015 22:29

I would say commuting from dorking to new Malden would be quite irritatin. I would look closer - epsom, surbiton or Kingston perhaps. Epsom and surrounding areas great for green areas. Schools are generally good. Epsom town centr is ok and Kingston or even London arent tok far away.

Kingston and surbiton are both lovely. Near the river. Less "green" immediately around there but great parks like Hampton court near by. Shoppih, high streets etc all good. Close to London and easy to get to new Malden. Schools probably tougher to get into so you would need to goose exact area carefully to ensure you got the school you wanted.

NormHonal · 27/02/2015 22:29

Would the commute be by train or car?

Boysclothes · 27/02/2015 22:30

If he's working in new malden stay in new malden, kingston, surbiton, Raynes park, Worcester park. Great schools, easy access to countryside and his commute won't be hellish.

Mintyy · 27/02/2015 22:31

What is your budget? Do you want to rent or buy? What kind of property do you need?

ChippyMinton · 27/02/2015 22:38

Start looking in and around New Malden. Lots of green space and river walks are accessible nearby. The traffic can be horrific! London Borough if Kingston schools tend to be good.

Otherwise look at what is on the direct train line and work outwards!

Original poster
RubyBest · 27/02/2015 22:42

Hi All,

So many replies so quickly!

Let me try clarify a few things. He can commute by car or train - has parking but train better if possible. He stays in Surbiton just now sometimes when down and likes it. However we planned to be a bit further out for the more quiet village style of life but with easy access to bigger places when needed.

We will rent. Move most likely to be only for 2 years. Budget..... Not sure but around £2k a month would be maximum.

Surbiton / Weybridge would be ideal but less rental options from what we have seen. Move out a bit and you get a lot more for your money obviously.

OP posts:
whitewineandchocolate · 27/02/2015 22:44

My cocker spaniel loves Epsom Common and Epsom Downs. I would say Dorking to New Malden would be quite a grotty commute. Ashtead, just south of Epsom if you prefer somewhere a little smaller, they are both on the train line for New Malden.

Original poster
RubyBest · 27/02/2015 22:45

We would like a 4 bedroom house with decent garden. Ideal would be in not a busy street. I want to be able to walk out with dog and not have far to go before I can let him run off lead. Also let my son play on his bike etc etc.

Basically I want it all! Wink

Ps: He really doesn't like New Malden very much for the prospect of living in it. Although admits to not having seen a great deal.

OP posts:
Original poster
RubyBest · 27/02/2015 22:46

Dorking is not in any way wher we WANT to live. Just picked Epsom and a 5 mile radius and lots more options came out that way. Epsom and Ashstead look nice too.

OP posts:
musicinspring1 · 27/02/2015 22:49

Cheam village? Near Nonsuch park for the dog, bus route to New Malden and well thought of schools?

snowgirl1 · 27/02/2015 22:50

I used to live in New Malden. It has an excellent train service for commuters travelling into Central London, so I think there's a bit of a premium on property prices which isn't worth paying if you're not travelling into London.

On the other hand, I wouldn't choose to live in Dorking to commute to New Malden.

I'd be more inclined to go for nice green leafy areas down the A3: Claygate, Cobham, Ripley.

Original poster
RubyBest · 27/02/2015 23:08

Snowgirl1 - Cobham looks lovely but very pricey! What about Byfleet? Nice area?

OP posts:
tellmemore1982 · 28/02/2015 05:18

I can't beat some of the suggestions here but echo the A3 corridor giving access to some lovely villages and towns with good outdoor space. Walton is in the area you've mentioned (weybridge / surbiton) and is convenient and cheaper but very built up with not much green space.

I just wanted to add one point which I'm sure you've considered, but the cost of living in surrey is dramatically different to Scotland so don't be blinded by what might look like a big pay rise if it's a factor in the job offer. £2000 a month is really not an enormous budget for this area and you'd probably need to compromise on location to find the kind of house you describe.

That said, the schools are mostly excellent and amenities very good. Good luck.

specialsubject · 28/02/2015 11:27

re cost of living; I lived in Surrey for many years and now live in the west Midlands. What is cheaper here?

  • house insurance
  • car insurance
  • eating out and pubs; massively cheaper here and better value
  • getting stuff done (sometimes)
  • food from smaller supermarkets
  • stuff from markets

lots more choice re DIY merchants, cheaper shops (B and M etc)

what costs the same?

  • council tax
  • food from big supermarkets
  • utility bills (Even though they vary by area)

what costs more?

  • second hand stuff on ebay; less choice
  • second hand cars; ditto
  • petrol

public transport is difficult to compare as we really only have buses.
But a traffic jam is five cars. Smile

Original poster
RubyBest · 28/02/2015 11:39

Thanks all, lots to consider.

We need to decide by Friday if we are doing it.

OP posts:
HairyMaclary · 28/02/2015 11:47

We live in this sort of area, I would suggest Ashtead for ease of commute and good mix of woodland / green space and near enought to decent schools and shops. Other possibilities include Bookham, a lovely village feel, a longer drive for your DH to get to work and not as easy by train, but commute is not too bad, 30-45 mins by car depending on where in Mew Malden you are getting too. Good schools too.

Yoruba · 28/02/2015 22:09

New Malden or most places within the m25 are going to feel like a very big shock to what you're used to. Particularly the new Malden / surbiton areas are very urban.

Personally I would move further out - just by looking outside the m25 you get so much more for your money. Kingston is lovely but pricey.

Byfleet / woking / Guildford all lovely and affordable. More towns within themselves IYSWIM rather than feeling like a suburb of London. Weybridge is also lovely.

It's a lovely county, but quite split I'd say between the London bit and the outside m25 bit. Lots of green space, great schools, loads to do. We love it here!

ChippyMinton · 01/03/2015 18:00

You're unlikely to, but just in case, don't stray to the north of the Thames, as the river crossings can be bottlenecks - Hampton Court, Kingston, Walton bridges.

Lambbone · 01/03/2015 18:11

Dorking would be a bloody nuisance, though it is very pleasant.

New Malden isn't nice IMO. Worcester Park likewise.

Ashtead, Epsom are lovely- but you'd still have to change trains at Raynes Park, which is fine.

Wimbledon would be excellent but it is eyewateringly expensive. Kingston would be good too, but pretty pricey in the best bits.

Mummyk1982 · 01/03/2015 21:32

Hi there,

I love in Dorking. DH used to commute to Worcester park each day by car- took him about 40 mins on a good run, and around an hour and 15 on a not so great run.
Mother in law lives in Epsom and I work there- totally different to Dorking. Dorking has an old fashioned village feel even though it's a market town. Essential shops are ok (sains, waitrose, Robert dyas etc), Guildford good for shopping otherwise. Personally I much prefer Dorking. I live in a beautiful quiet road, 7 mins walk to town and 2 mins work to a large open space backed by woodland where people take their dogs for walks and they can let them off their leads.

Ashtead is ok, but you can sense that it's slightly closer to the outskirts of London.

You have a vote for Dorking from me as it's probably nearer the lifestyle you're used to BUT it's still v different from Scottish countryside, and it'll be extortionate compared to what you're used to (but then so will all of surrey and the south east of England!!!!) :-)

321zerobaby · 01/03/2015 22:13

If you want something more rural and villagey, have a look at Bookham. Still within easy reach of A3 and train etc.

Lilymaid · 01/03/2015 22:18

Thames Ditton. Village feel and plenty of open space/common land. On direct rail line to New Malden.