Living between Guildford and London - tips please!

[feb1982]

DH and I currently live in a 1 bed flat in Clapham but I've recently got a job in Guildford, so we're thinking of moving out in that direction. We'd like our commutes to be roughly the same length (DH works in London near Green Park) and don't want to live somewhere that we need to drive to the station. No children yet but hopefully at some point so we'll be looking to buy somewhere larger and schools are also a consideration! Would be really grateful for any top recommendations as well as places to avoid and any commuting tips!

I'm not an expert on South London, but I put your 'dual commute' problem into a property matchmaking platform and it seems to recommend these areas: Woking, Surbiton, Wimbledon.

I know a few families in Surbiton and it's really lovely. Wimbledon is also great but probably more expensive! Don't personally have much experience of Woking however. You can see your matches (and your commute times) here and have a play with your budget, rent vs buy, etc.

From what I could see, All those locations would put you on the Southern Railway and you'd have a reasonably fast train into Guildford, while DH could take the same line but going north into Vauxhall. He'd then swap over to the Victoria line for 3 stops to Green park. Would be about 35-45min each for you from Surbiton.

Working meant to be a bit grim, I think. Wimbledon nice but expensive and lots of schools black holes. Surbiton has nice bits and is popular due to good transport links, vicinity to parks and river and decent schooling. Housing obvs pricier closer to station. Probably best bet of the three, although train to Guildford not much quicker than Clapham Junction to Guildford.