Move to Raynes Park/New Malden area

[ABroads]

DH and I thinking of moving to SW London due to work.. Currently living in Hertfordshire which we like but the commute is killing us. We have lived in Putney before and have friends around that area but it's too expensive.

We will be renting initially and looking to buy in about 12 months and will have a budget of around 550k. So we want to go somewhere we will eventually be able to buy in the area.

We have a 2 yo DS, so also want an area that has good schools and facilities for families, where we will be able to meet other people easily.

Anyone live in these areas that could advise us on whether it's a good move. Everyone we know with families are moving the other way, but we don't see that properties are much cheaper in Hertfordshire and the travel/commute is really expensive and soul destroying!!

I should say the areas we are considering are Raynes Park, New Malden, possibly out as far as Sutton.. I work in Brentford and DH works in Farringdon..

Sutton has some nice parts (as well as some not-so-nice ones) and very good transport connections to London and elsewhere. What about Cheam and Carshalton, the neighbouring towns? They have some very nice parts as well.

I can't help with Raynes Park and New Malden but can't recall hearing anything negative.

I think Sutton has a direct train line to Farringdon too, IIRC. That might be worth looking into.

New Malden / Raynes Park both have nice houses although getting l lot more expensive as overflow from Wimbledon. Another area to add to your list might be Purley. You can probably still just about get a detached house for your budget and trains into London are 20 mins to Victoria and London Bridge. We moved out here a few years ago having not known the area before but attracted by the transport links. Not much of a town centre but lots of nice villages / pubs / green spaces within a short drive.

are you sure the travel will be any cheaper and better from Surrey? The traffic there is murderous, just as bad as Hertfordshire. The line to Farringdon is expensive in either direction.

New Malden is nice. Nothing special but perfectly adequate. Also, good school catchments are getting smaller and there are 'black spots'. Do your research.

I tend to go into Kingston for family friendly stuff and I believe Raynes Park is also better in this respect.

You might struggle to get enough boxes ticked with 550k budget in New Malden or Raynes Park. Depends on what you're looking for.

I'd second looking at Carshalton, you'd get a nice family home there with your budget. We considered moving there but didn't in the end so I don't know much about the area.

We looked in that area but settled in Whitton, which is the outer end of twickenham. Much nicer houses, quieter roads, good schools.

Hi Everyone,

We were also looking to move from Central London to a 4 bed house in the suburbs. We are able to see a property in Raynes Park in our budget - smaller garden and less space on the ground floor but 15 mins walking from Raynes Park Station. Me and my husband work near bank / City. (Terraced)

For the same price, we are also getting some good houses in Carshalton Beeches. But bigger gardens and an extra room on the ground floor. (Semi Detached)

We are completely confused which one to go for. Any thoughts or guidance?

Regards,
TG

Rayners Park is more ‘London’ whereas Carshalton Beeches is zone 5 but very leafy and on the edge of the coutryside so depends on what you’re after. CB has better schools.

I would pick Rayners Park over New Malden. New Malden does have a better high street though. Personally I think Worcester Park is nicer. You really need to walk around and get a feel for the places. New Malden also has many Korean shops and eateries as there are a large number of Korean residents that it caters for. There is a lot of building works planned for New Malden which is going to change the nature of the place as well.

@Kipperandarthur

I would pick Rayners Park over New Malden. New Malden does have a better high street though. Personally I think Worcester Park is nicer. You really need to walk around and get a feel for the places. New Malden also has many Korean shops and eateries as there are a large number of Korean residents that it caters for. There is a lot of building works planned for New Malden which is going to change the nature of the place as well.

Thanks. Any thoughts on Carshalton Beeches/Sutton.

More going on in Sutton but Carshalton Beeches I would say has more charm. Sutton is a big town with all that goes with it.

The town of Sutton covers a few sq miles so there are a lot of different areas. South Sutton is very leafy and smart and the expensive part. Other areas are more of a mixed bag but still plenty of nice places to live, good for amenities and schools are fab even in the less glamorous parts. The town centre has lots of shops and places to eat out, cinema with sofas, a sports village etc (still tiny compared to Kingston so most people head out there for a big shopping trip).

You could also look at Cheam Village which 1mile west of Sutton town centre. There’s a Waitrose and independent shops + the gorgeous Nonsuch Park and lots to do for families.

I recommend Worcester Park as well. Lived there for 6 years and loved it

@Pardalis

I recommend Worcester Park as well. Lived there for 6 years and loved it

Thanks! We will consider Worcester park as well then. Were you also travelling to City (Bank or nearby) durign this time? How was the travel to central london?

Hi Everyone,

After much thought, we have given up on Carshalton and Sutton. We just felt it was too far from London and further we got very bad reports on the "Southern" railway to get into London.

Alternately, we have settled for the New Malden area (Closer to Malden Manor)and upped our budget.

Any thoughts on Malden Manor? We are planning on approx. 8 min walk to station.

Regards,
Tuli