Moving from US, working in Farnham. Where to live?

[Lcbeec]

Hello mums. This is my first post; my
family and I are considering a short term move to the U.K. from NYC. He will be working in Farnham. We I’ve found only a few properties for s short let.
One is in a guildford near Burpham. I’m concerned about thr commute. Does anyone have any experience with driving around there at rush hour? I’ve been told it could take 20-40 min to get to Farnham and I’m assuming the same amount of time to get back? It seems like the Hogs Back road can be a nightmare. But I’m not quite sure how bad that is as I’m used to nightmare nyc traffic.
The other options are in Elstead and possibly Woking.
I’d love to have things I can walk to with the kids as I’m quite used to walking to do all of my errands (although I’d also have a car). Guildford was appealing as it seems like there is lots to do, but I don’t want to have my husband sitting in an hour of traffic 2x a day.
Thanks!

Of living in Farnham is an option within your budget i would hold out to find a property there. It is a lovely town, lots going on ideal for a family.

Thanks for the reply. As of now nothing is available in Farnham which meets our needs but I agree Farnham would be ideal. I’ll keep looking! Our problem is this love is happening quickly..within the next 6 weeks!

Usually you can give notice after 6 months? I would check with the agencies all the properties available.

Usually people want long term let's do it may be the way they are advertised? The English tenancy laws are quite restricted and I'm sure they can't make you have a property longer than the initial 6 months.

I would definitely aim to live in Farnham if possible. Guildford is also lovely but the drive can be awful. I don’t think your DH would manage it in 20 mins during rush hour, 30-45 depending on exact locations is probably a better estimate.

Also, the standard U.K. tenancy agreement is 12 months, often with a 6 month break clause so providing you could commit to 6 months at a time then I wouldn’t have thought you’d need to look specifically for a short let. This might open up more options to you?

I’d also contact letting agents directly, if you haven’t already. The rental market moves quite quickly and not everything makes it online before it’s let. It’s also pretty common for properties to only be shown as available 4 or so weeks before move in date.

I'd also look at public transport. A lot of people in England catch a train to work. They are reliable, clean and safe so it might be a good option as long as the office isn't too far from the train station.

Yeah we are only going to be there for 2-3 months total so it seems like a short let us our only option. IVe contacted some agents about some properties that are long let’s just to see if the landlord would be open to a short let.
That was my concern about guildford. I’d imagine it’s gojng to be closer to 30-40 min each way
I’m starting to contact letting agents...good to know that a lot of properties don’t come on the market until 4 weeks out. I’m a planner to I want to get this booked up!
Very little avaible in Farnham but I’ll keep looking!! My husband is going to pop into a real estate office this week
Is Woking nice? It sure would be nice to be on the train line.

Woking has direct trains to Farnham, I think about 3 trains an hour in rush hour but they take about 25 minutes and you’d have to factor in journey time to/from the station at both ends. There are some lovely houses in the areas around Woking but the town centre itself is very bland (meh shopping centre and mostly mediocre chain restaurants).

Personally I would definitely favour Guildford over Woking and the door to door journey is likely to be about the same, just Guildford would be in the car.

If it's only 3 months look what's on Air BnB and see if you can negotiate a monthly rate x

Thanks all. very helpful. I’ve run into a lot of dead ends as far as short lets for that period of time (or I find a furnished place but I’d have to provide all kitchenware, linens, cleaning stuff, TVs, etc. ugh!) DH might just have to live with the drive to Farnham from guildford. It’s only for two months anyway and it seems I could walk most places in a guildford and he could take the car

I don’t think guildford to Farnham will be a bad commute at all. My friend does it everyday. It’s a very different drive than in NY traffic. I travel 60 miles to work (120 both ways). And it is for just a very short time frame. Your biggest problem is going to be finding a short term let to be honest. I tried to find a 4 nth let due to house renovation with no luck through an agent. You need to be looking at other avenues (local Facebook groups, air b n b etc). My priority would be accommodation over commute anyday. Also, trains run from guildford to Farnham. My sister lives in Elstead and that’s easily a better commute, fantastic village with good links to guildford (shopping).

Gumtree also a good website houses. Go onto Farnham or Elstead FB group page and post a message, you’ll get more options than from an agent. Agents want a 12 month let with a 2mth notice period after the first 6mths so you’ll need to commit to renting for at least 8mths. A holiday cottage or similar might be a better option.

Hogs back isn't great but I'd rather commute from Guildford than Woking. I live in Farnham and work some days in Woking and it takes a good hour in the morning to drive. Not sure about the trains.

Don't discount Hale and North Farnham, we're very friendly this side!

There is no direct train from Farnham to Guildford, you need to change at Aldershot. Traffic is bad at rush hour.

Maybe you can contact the holiday park Tilford Woods to see if they do longer stays.

This is a bit of a random suggestion, but have you thought of trying holiday lets in Farnham/surrounding villages? One that springs to mind is the lodges at Tilford Woods, but I'm sure you could just do a general search for holiday rentals.

Depends which side of Guildford you would be living and which side of farnham your DH would be working but it seems a shame to commute from Guildford when you should be able to rent in the Farnham area just as easily and Farnham has loads to offer for a family. Elstead would also be nice but have you seen this one? It looks great to me (no idea of your budget) and is in the loveliest road Georgian road and near to the castle and farnham park. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-63269569.html

It's right in the town which means you could walk to the train station for exploring but would have everything nearby. Guildford is nice but the traffic can be hell. Better to be near to work and 'commute' for leisure where there is no time pressure.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-63269569.html

I was going to suggest checking holiday let's out. Most of them would be quite happy with a 2 to 3 month let, less cleaning in between let's, equals higher profits. We looked at doing this when we sold our house and there was going to be a 3 month gap between our purchase. Farnham is a great place.

Check air bnb too, some places that are newly listed maybe able to sort a 2 month reduced rent for you!

anything here work?

Thanks @tealady. I had seen that one, unfortunately we need a furnished place unless I sort out renting furniture for 2-3 months. I realize that my need of a furnished place is the limiting factor here. If we were staying more than 2-3 months I’d consider renting furniture.
Thanks for the reassurance @mammaagata that’s good to hear that the drive won’t be awful.

Our best option is an air B and B in guildford. Our budget is quite (I think) healthy but there just aren’t many air b and bs. There are a few in farnborough but look rather bland. I’ll be cooped up with two little kids inside; the house needs to be nice and with things easily accessible.
Good idea looking up holiday let’s @cakeandchocolate and @jon66 Being from the USA it’s hard to figure out what to enter into google. “Holiday lets” just isn’t s term I’m familiar with.
Really good idea about the Facebook groups. I hadn’t explored that route!
Thx all

Try contacting Farnham Town council, they might have some suggestions
www.farnham.gov.uk

Try the holiday lettings.co.uk site or home and away.co.uk , also the local tourist board website will also have links to holiday lets .You could also try English country cottages

English law is such that there's no such thing as a let under six months for a standard rental unless the landlord is mad or crooked. But as you want furnished, holiday let is the way to go. Will cost a lot as includes not just furniture but bills.

How about Alton/Bentley and commute by train.

Further out of London so rent should be a bit less.

Homeaway.co.uk

Search Farnham and loads come up with 3 beds plus. Depends on your budget and the owner’s willingness fir a longer than usual let. But it’s a slow time of year so you might be lucky

Thanks @homebythesea yep I’ve email blasted looootttts of people on home away and air B and B. I’ve gotten a few leads. The homes certainly exist but just have to convince people to let out their primary residence for a few months which can be harder (even with the offer of quite a lot of money)