Dull as Dorking

[MemyselfandIrene2]

What a soul destroying town. Pretty on the outside dead on the inside unless you are 60+.
Had massive high hopes to move here as the property is gorgeous and amazingly cheap for the amount of house. Any other areas nearby you could recommend with more life??

I'll find you somewhere nicer than Surrey
Plenty of places nicer than Surrey, but if you happen to work in London, and have kids, it's a fairly popular choice!

dead on the inside unless you are 60+.

Ridiculous comment. Yes, we all lead non-lives once we reach this magic age. Might as well euthanise us all to leave more room for the youthful and vibrant. 🙄

London boroughs might be the best option for me just a smaller house

Well there may be your answer OP .

Dorking and all the Surrey , Sussex towns are what they are and so many people love them for very good reasons . But if your budget doesn't get you somewhere closer to where you personally actually want to live , for the size of house you want - you have to decide between atmosphere and size. And at that point I shall stop pointing out the bleeding obvious . DH and I have always lived in smaller houses nearer to where we wanted to be than other lovely larger houses further out . It's a choice of which compromise you make IMHO - but all very best with your choice.

I’m sorry about the 60+ comment. What I meant by that really was that by that age you aren’t looking for a buzzing potentially ‘rough at night’ high street.

What is your budget? If you're considering those areas then surely parts of South or East London would be within budget? Somewhere like Shooters Hill - Green, December schools (within catchment for the neighbouring Borough Grammar schools), quick and easy to London. It sounds like you want a London vibe? Only place in Sussex/Surrey that offers that imo is Brighton/Hove or much smaller Lewes.

December= decent!

OP I'm inner city and teenagers are still smoking weed in parks, or smoking weed at friends' houses. Or terrorising people. Or just staying inside playing on phones and computers.

Reigate is more lively but much more expensive. Ditto Guildford. Not keen on Horsham personally. Dorking kids tend to bus/train to other areas to do things like shopping etc.

If you like Wimbledon I'd suggest a look at the parts of Colliers Wood and Tooting that are close to Wimbledon. Or Raynes Park. Much cheaper and some nice leafy streets if you go away from the high streets.

Dorking actually has a very good sense of community and appeals to people who move out of London for good state schools and to enjoy the countryside. Many children travel from far and wide to attend schools in the town. It has a theatre/cinema/sports centre inc pool and brand new football stadium. Plus the best Waitrose for miles around The high street shops are not what people with teens want but Guildford is only one stop on the train. There is plenty to do for teens who are sporty, musical or enjoy acting etc. If anyone wanted to go clubbing they could head to Guildford but I think most local teens enjoy meeting up with their friends at private house parties instead. You will always find a few teens hanging around the park or at KFC as in any town! One drawback is the slow train service to London but at least it is served by sw trains, southern and GW so if one is on strike there are always other options.

This is a very funny thread!

I grew up in Reigate in the 70s and 80s and the idea of it being happening is extremely amusing. When I was a teenager it was like Dorking is now. Only worse. The cinema shut down the moment I turned 13, the swimming pool was a hundred years old, the tennis club had a system where kids had to get off the courts if an adult wanted to play.

I was desperate to escape to London, and did!

Mind you, I went to school in Redhill and was desperate to get home to Reigate, lol!

Is Brighton an option? Don't get more happening than that alright you probably do but compared to where I was a teenager it's amazing

We’ve decided on Wimbledon in a much smaller house but after taking a look at towns outside of London boroughs I just had to remember the age old ‘location location location’.
I’m sorry to any Surrey folk out there but Dorking and the like are dead towns.

@MemyselfandIrene2 - good choice! PM me if you want local info. SW19 is definitely the way to go.