Thinking of Sutton

[AbiBanbury]

Hi everyone, dh and I are thinking of relocating to Sutton for the schools - and also to move nearer to friends and family (we live in deepest darkest Oxfordshire at the mo). Is there anyone who has moved to Sutton from further in (to London)? Having lived in London myself for 10 years, I know that the rough rubs up against the smooth wherever you are but dh has only lived as far in as Shepperton. I'm trying to reassure him that whilst it isn't going to be Barnes, Kensington or Chelsea, it's good enough. He's preferring Epsom which is nice but I've heard that if we want to send dd to the sutton grammars, she'll have to get a higher pass mark than if we lived in Sutton. Is this right? Property is also more expensive.

Have you visited Sutton?

Epsom is definitely nicer than Sutton.
What is your budget and why have you chosen Sutton or Epsom?

Hi, yes I've visited it and like it. Ditto OH but he's still jittery. And we've chosen it for the schools. We wanted grammar to be an option and Sutton gives that option.

Oh and budget is about £500/550k (providing OH does well over the next year at work!!). Otherwise, it's £450k which is low for Epsom. We also need 3 beds and an extra room away from screaming kids for an office as OH works from home (so prob a hut in the garden).

Depends on where in Sutton. Carshalton, Cheam, Wallington, Carshalton Beeches, Worcester Park are 'nice'.

Would avoid Rosehill and St Helier.

Hackbridge and Mitcham Junction are kind of non-places.

If you're commuting by train check the times and length of journey as some aren't well serviced.

I live in Sutton borough, having lived in others part of South London most of my life and it's much like any other part of urban London to be honest.

How old is your DD? A warning - they have to be super-bright for the Sutton grammars so make sure you are happy with the other local schools.