Woking or Guildford

[Siyenne]

Woking is regenerating, Guildford appears have everything.
We are looking for an easy commute, but more importantly for us a place for the family to grow. (We've checked schools). Just stuck on which of the two, will suit us. I'm an ex-media/London girl and want an area that my family and I will thrive in.

Sorry it is pyrford. That area is nice. Friends of mine used to live around that area When we were younger. Cheaper as it is slightly out there and fringes on Woking. My friends growing up didn’t like it as they had to rely on lifts from parents everywhere and you can’t walk to school from there

Thanks for your message! Yes it definitely Pyrford, spoke to an estate agent today about it and they also confirmed, albeit the northern fringe. He also said he would consider West Byfleet and Pyrford to be equally nice areas and very much equally priced in terms of the houses.

From what I understand the traffic from Pyrford to West Byfleet is only bad around 8.30 and 5pm, but earlier morning and later evening not so bad.

Pyrford and West Byfleet kind of merge together. The shops are better in west Byfleet plus there is the train station.

Yeah I would say that’s correct. We’ve always lived in the area. It depends how close you want to be if you want to walk to schools, station and amenities or you don’t mind driving. If you don’t mind driving everywhere then that road is very nice.

Guildford is MUCH nicer. I worked there for years. Lovely river, boats, shops.
Woking is horrible, my son lives there and I hate it.

I agree if you live there you will probably end up driving everywhere as it's not really conveniently near to anything.

Thanks all. But are we saying that you need to driver everywhere if based in either west byfleet or Pyrford. Or does this apply more to Pyrford?

Pyrford. Particularly that road.

A3 is particularly bad during rush hour, esp towards M25 and public transport wont be much of an easy option.

All practical considerations.

I would really recommend Guildford. It has everything and once you have parked the car, it has a very beautiful center. It is also a place with a great many small businesses/restaurants/start-ups etc. as well as the usual big names.
When your children grow up and start going out at night, I would also say the night life is marginally more diverse so there is lots going on in town, for you and for them.
Transport is an issue- getting out of Guildford Station carpark at 6pm requires patience and a large can opener.

Might be better to open a new thread tbh...

That said the difference in location between WB and Pyrford is minimal except when considering schools. Pyrford infants is great and brand new but the schooling in WB is just as good albeit with not as new facilities.

Cost wise it's the same as anywhere - cheaper bits and pricier bits!

Both get affected by the traffic along the main road

Hi - wondered how you got on in the end @Siyenne? We're looking at both these areas now

Guildford is lovely, I worked there for two years, lovely shops, river, open spaces.
Woking is horrible, my son and his partner live there, it's massively overpriced, ugly everywhere you go, full of chavs that are aggressive towards his partner who is not english.
Guildford every time.

Guildford has nicer Surroundings, is a bit more characterful and has a university but i find it a bit pretentious.

Most areas in woking are also nice. Its better for shopping, commute and has more of a non-white community. So is actually quite ok if you are from ethnic minority background its actually Ok. I ve lived here for 6-7 years and haven't noticed the Chav issue much.