Raynes Park vs Carshalton Beeches

[TuliG]

Hi Everyone,

We were also looking to move from Central London to a 4 bed house in the suburbs. We dont have kids yet but planning on them.

We are able to see a property (Terraced) in Raynes Park in our budget - smaller garden (100 sq mtr) and less space on the ground floor but 15 mins walking from Raynes Park Station. Me and my husband work near bank / City.

For the same price, we are also getting some good houses in Carshalton Beeches. But bigger gardens (350 sq mt) and an extra room on the ground floor and conservatory to boot. (Semi Detached)

From a Primary school perspective Raynes Park seems more attractive. Also proximity to a tube station (Morden) and Kingston/Wimbledon but then we would be comprising on the garden size and living space.

We are completely confused which one to go for. Any thoughts or guidance ?

Best Regards,
TG

[TuliG]

Hi Everyone,

After much thought, we have given up on Carshalton and Sutton. We just felt it was too far from London and further we got very bad reports on the "Southern" railway to get into London.

Alternately, we have settled for the New Malden area (Closer to Malden Manor)and upped our budget.

Any thoughts on Malden Manor? We are planning on approx. 8 min walk to station.

Regards,
Tuli

[TuliG]

@JoJoSM2

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk

That’s the best place for comparing schools. Over 90% are rated Ofsted good/outstanding so that’s not necessarily that helpful.

Re feeling cut off, pre having children, I lived in SW11 and went out all the time. Moving out to zone 5 was a massive step. The reality of living further out has been that you do get the space and garden and there are tons of families around. On maternity leave, my social calendar was so busy that so barely kept up. I do enjoy the ‘London buzz’ so we tend to head into London for date nights. But I agree that Raynes Park sounds is much closer to what you’re used to.

Thanks JoJoSM2, this distance piece is important and helps to understand how far out we can be. Going by what you are saying, after having kids what matters most is good space in the house and it just seems that that is more possible in Carshalton Beeches and Sutton. And if Wimbledon/Kingston is 20 mins, that is not bad to be fair.

[JoJoSM2]

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk

That’s the best place for comparing schools. Over 90% are rated Ofsted good/outstanding so that’s not necessarily that helpful.

Re feeling cut off, pre having children, I lived in SW11 and went out all the time. Moving out to zone 5 was a massive step. The reality of living further out has been that you do get the space and garden and there are tons of families around. On maternity leave, my social calendar was so busy that so barely kept up. I do enjoy the ‘London buzz’ so we tend to head into London for date nights. But I agree that Raynes Park sounds is much closer to what you’re used to.

[JoJoSM2]

Sorry for yet another post but I’m next door in Sutton and it’s a 15-min drive to Wimbledon Village and not too far for shopping in Kingston either. By public transport, the Thameslink goes to Wimbledon and it’s 5-6 stops on the X26 from Carshalton to Kingston.

[TuliG]

Thanks @JoJoSM2

The kind of property you posted about is spot on. It just feels more like a home and something you can look forward to living in. On the other hand, we feel we will be so cut off from London and wont be close to the likes of Wimbledon/Kingston etc. So very confused :(

Thanks for clarifying the Schools comment. I guess we ended up doing the research wrong. Thus, +1 point to Carshalton.

Regards,
Kaus

[JoJoSM2]

You could also look at Worcester Park as it’s cheaper than Raynes Park with a zone 4 station on the Waterloo line + buses to Morden. For school catchments, it’s best to be a longer walk towards North Cheam as that gets you into Cheam Common and Cheam High School + close to the gorgeous Nonsuch Park.

[JoJoSM2]

Just answered on the other thread you posted on.

Both nice places but a different vibe. CB is very leafy on the edge of the coutryside.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72583482.html

From a house like this one, you can catch a London Bridge train or walk up to Carshalton station for the City Thameslink line. Both stations have Victoria trains and Morden is a bus ride away. Leisure centre and shops are also within walking distance + coutryside and parks.

I’m confused about the schools comment as they’re better in CB.