Outer London/Surrey - London or Surrey, best of both?

[Yoozanaim]

Hi
Further to my other posts regarding relocating (so thank you again those who contributed there) I am weighing up my options - 'proper' Surrey (Guildford/Godalming/Oxted etc), or Surrey/Greater London borders.
DH will be commuting in to London so I am factoring in commute times and costs, but also finding the right area for us to raise our children. I had my heart set on a pretty Surrey village but am a bit put off by some previous comments about how isolating that could be for independent teens, so am rethinking that, as well as a tedious commute into London.

So I have started looking at the Greater London area which is London-ish but also Surrey. I'd love some input please into the following areas - primarily - how nice they are, do they feel proper Surrey or more like London (or a good combination of both/neither/or what), do any have a pretty high street and a nice village green, do they have a nice community vibe, are they safe? Anything I need to know (apart from schooling.)?

• Tadworth
• Caterham
• Cheam
• Kenley
• Old Coulsdon
• Warlingham
• Chaldon
• Banstead

(I am not closed to any other similar areas - have listed these as I have identified affordable properties that fit our requirements there.)
Thank you in advance.

If you want a villagey feel then look at Ashtead, or the good side of Epsom. So these are genuinely best of both worlds- leafy and pretty but with shops nearby and an easy commute to London.

By good Epsom I mean college area, or near the Downs. Much more expensive but you really feel you live in the country but you don't! You can walk into the town centre or into high hedge countryside in 15 minutes.

Caterham is lovely 😊 I should know spent 30 years there. But it's not cheap, any of your options that are near a train station are going to add cost but getting a train to Caterham is a lot easier at any time compare to other places. Also you have the added option of buses because the route to Caterham is very regular.
Kenley/ Whyteleafe is good because you have two regular train station.
You should have a look at 407/ 466 but route, they are the areas you suggest.
If you want to pay less then look nearer to Redhill and surrounding areas.
I worked in Guilford, and once is took me two hours + to get there from Victoria because of delays and changes etc. It's not always about being near a station but how good the service is and other options nearby.
Like Oxted, Buses are terrible and they don't have Uber, by 8am all taxi are booked.

some of Caterham is lovely but the town centre is in desperate need of regeneration and plans are only just being drawn up. Property is hugely variable.

Op you really need to spend a day driving across these areas to see what is within your comfort zone, expectations and worth pursuing. You could also look at places in Kent with trains into London Bridge, which is still close to Waterloo and connected by public transport.

@LIZS every area has its ups and downs

True, but having visited regularly for last 7 or so years it has definitely gone downwards. Strong sense of community with regular street events and Christmas market though.

I grew up In Haslemere. Direct train into London. Pretty. And not too village-y. I live closer to London now and want to move back that way to raise kids...

We will visit and have a really good look around, before committing 650k (my pound sign is broken, sorry).
Ashtead sounds like it might fit, and areas of Epsom too.
Carshalton has been on my radar but currently nothing there within budget.
Kenley is looking like a good option - a couple of properties there that I really like: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69120148.html and www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60560898.html - these will likely go before we are in a position to buy, but it does seem this is an affordable area for us.

I will definitely consider Kent, though I heard concerning things about availability of secondary school places for Kent? We may home ed all the way through but I'd like to have the option of school if need be.
We will of course go scout out all the areas, I am currently just trying to see if it's worth moving because if we can't afford a nice enough house in a nice enough area, it won't be worth it at all. So I need to try and get a feel for prices and effort of commute, before we take the plunge. It's very useful hearing from people here, so thank you.

Haslemere is so far out from London though? Looks too far to be a nice commute?

Have you thought about Egham or Englefield Green? Nice pretty high street, lots of greenery and lovely landscape around. Commute is fine.

Oh and tons of stuff to do for the kids

Kent is also a grammar system.

Surrey and Croydon are both comprehensive.

Have you thought about the Surrey / Hampshire border? Farnham is a pretty town, and you’ve got Fleet (or surrounding villages like Dogmersfield, Crookham Village) which has fast trains to Waterloo.

EG is a long trek from the station, and a horrid walk up the hill home.
Interesting re Egham though, thank you!

Not opposed to Kent or Hampshire - at all. Was just trying to get a feel for Surrey first, I don't know why I feel so drawn to it!

Watch out for flood risk, btw, in the valley that runs from Caterham to Purley. There's a Bourne lurking under the A22 and it rises periodically. So avoid the very lowest parts.

My best friend does it every day, keeps her fit!

It’s really not hard to park within a few minutes walk of Egham station though, or cycling could be an option?

Well, there's my new word for the day - never heard of a bourne! Thanks! And thanks for info - I will make sure I look out for that.

Yes, he likes cycling (I do not!) but I should think in winter that would be quite a chore.

Would Hersham/Walton/Weybridge/West Byfleet/Woking work for you? All on a fast line to Waterloo and family friendly places with lots of activities going on. I really wouldn’t look at villages around Guildford if you want an hour door to door commute.

Yes - thank you - have looked at those areas, flagged a few for now. Really exploring all options - closer so less of a commute and cheaper - but have to compromise space, or a larger property but more of a commute - oh to have just a couple of hundred thousand pounds extra!

We’re in godalming, DH commutes to St. Paul’s. 40 mins into Waterloo I think? Then he walks from there (nice bit of exercise!).

Why do you "absolutely need detached" ?

I grew up in the Purley/Banstead area and lots of family and friends still there so visit socially often (from central london). To slightly digress, what always strikes me is that despite the green spaces/country side (sort of) is that you have to use a car to do everything as detached houses all a bit out of town, or your village doesn’t have enough shops etc so in the car you get for your basic survival. All clubs and activities mean the same. It’s a strange contrast that in more central london (or probably zones 1-4 ish) you can do it all on foot which feels a bit more day-to-day healthier than moving for country living.

Good luck- you’re on a very tight budget with quite clear priorities, so hopefully a house turns up with the right compromise that feels right for you

here

Kenley really isn't village-like.