Any info on Reigate?

[Charlottemh]

Hi all! So we’ve sold our flat in south west london in the hope of being in a better position to buy after house hunting for over a year now. Have given up on my much loved Sevenoaks due to nothing being available. Briefly looked again at maisonettes etc in south west london (want a garden, previous flat didn’t have one) but we want more for our budget.

So we’re now looking at Reigate, absolutely love the high st, seems quite similar to Sevenoaks in terms of what we’re looking for (access to walks, restaurants, pubs, independent shops, has a Gails…).

Our budget is up to £800k and this is the house we’re looking at, does anyone know the immediate area and whether there’s anything to be aware of, because to be honest we know nothing about Reigate other than looking around it today.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/107346350#/?channel=RES_BUY

We’re a couple in a mid 30s with no kids so the house looks ok, only compromise seems to be the size of the garden (but it’s much better than nothing), and I don’t know about the area? Also commute seems quite long, but was thinking we could cycle to redhill and get the quicker train (Victoria is convenient for both of us).

Any local knowledge greatly appreciated!

I live just down the road from this house and pass it regularly on the way to the park. It's a lovely area full of young families and this house looks really nice - so will ho very quickly!.

We commute to London and either cycle to Redhill or drive to Merstham where parking is easier. It's fine really as you generally get a seat as East Croydon it gets busy.

House prices seem to have increased in the area over the last 6 months generally due to lots of people doing similar to you and moving a bit further out as can wfh more.

House looks lovely (and recently reduced!)

DD1 lives in Redhill borders of Merstham and loves the whole area. They moved from Streatham about 6 years ago. When she has to go into work it's a very fast commute from Redhill which is the main reason SiL wanted to move there.

I think that road is in what is called the 'Lesbourne Road area' of Reigate - just south of the centre and probably walkable into town in about 10-12 mins. It is a popular residential area with families and has good schools, is close to Priory Park and at a push you could walk to Redhill train station in about 30-40 mins.

It's a built up area of Victorian housing. Parking can be a pain and traffic can be quite bad, but it's always popular and has small. At helmet areas for schools and a lovely community feel with a local parade of shops,mas well as being close to town.

Good location. I'd go and view it.

I know Reigate well. Lovely area. Priory Park is amazing. The town itself is wonderful. That's a great location for amenities but terrible for parking so do consider that.

If kids might be on the cards in the near future, just be aware that the local (excellent) junior school in the park (The Priory School) is moving to Woodhatch (other end of Cockshott Hill) and also that The Reigate School catchment (not really catchment but largest distance) has shrunk massively, but if kids/schools won't be a factor, ignore that!

Enjoy! Reigate is a fantastic place to live!

It's one of the best towns in London surrounds!
I think there's more to it than you get in Sevenoaks (high street, shops), while the countryside around is comparable (i.e. impressive).

I love Reigate! We love about 25 mins drive away and DD is going to Reigate College this autumn - she's looking forward to having such a great town centre right outside the college door!

Live about 25 mins away!

Thank you so much for the replies, they’re really helpful. I’m pretty much sold on Reigate now! Going to do a second viewing of the house this week and check out some other ones nearby. Absolutely love the distance to the park and the town centre.

I’m pretty much sold on Reigate now

what's not to love! I'd be there in a shot if I were going for the London vicinity and if I could afford it.

Yes the park and town centre are wonderful. People come from miles around to use the park and there's always (covid aside!) something going on there. You'll be lucky to live so close to all that!

I live in Reigate - fantastic place to be bringing up my children. You've made a great choice!

Hi all, many thanks again for the feedback, our offer was accepted on the house!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/107346350#/?channel=RES_BUY

Me being me, I'm now starting to get anxious about everything.

The garden is probably a compromise for me as it is east facing and I really wanted evening sun. But because it is a corner property I think we should get it until at least 5pm. Does anyone love having evening sun in their garden or am I putting too much emphasis on it?! Its also rather overlooked by houses on the other side of the road (because its a corner property) but I figured I'd put some tall hedges in to provide some screening (although not too tall to block the sun!)

Also it doesn't have any parking. To be honest this wasn't a red flag to us at first as we've always lived in London and never owned a car - this will be our first one. But speaking to my family and friends, they say they would never buy somewhere without a driveway. I can't quite ascertain why but maybe it's our lack of experience. I know its a terrible area for street parking, but the agent is trying to use the argument that there is a dropped kerb in front of some gates which used to allow access to a driveway (now part of the rear garden). Nobody else should park on the dropped kerb as it still looks like a driveway access, so it should be clear for us to park on. Apparently this is what the existing owners do. Do you think this is feasible?! Will we get ticketed for blocking our own "drive"?I've attached an image.

Also we literally don't know anyone in Reigate, and I've no idea how to make friends in my mid-30s with no kids, hoping to find a board game group! lol.

Anyway - any further insights would be most welcome!

Sorry can't get the image to upload - maybe this street view link will work?

www.google.com/maps/@51.2328456,-0.1984913,3a,75y,8.79h,83.88t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1smAvEG3iq0VIaiR8eboO9mQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DmAvEG3iq0VIaiR8eboO9mQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D89.046875%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Congrats OP! I had a sneaky peek on street view and see the dropped kerb access you are referring to. I doubt anyone else would park there.

The house is gorgeous. As you say, location isn't great for parking but it's great for access to walking to town and priory park!

Oh - and join the local Reigate Facebook page! We Love Reigate is a good one. We welcome newbies to Reigate!

Ha! You made me laugh with the board game group because there IS one - in one of the cafes in Redhill, one evening per month! What were the chances of that!

I’d think the dropped curb thing would essentially give you guaranteed parking. It is useful round there as gets busy. But all properties involve compromises don’t they. On one level you’re just getting cold feet.its very normal.

Don’t worry about meeting people - you will if you want to. That’s no different to anywhere else is it - not a Reigate thing.

Have you viewed the house again? It’s a case of thinking about what key things are and what are the minor issues really.

Have you made an offer yet?

Niki26 - thanks, yes the location is basically why we went for it! I will definitely join the facebook page.

WombatChoc - yes the offer has been accepted! Actually got it a bit below asking which is a bit surprising in the current climate (and makes me wonder what's wrong with it lol). I agree about the cold feet, I have an annoying habit of just dwelling on potential negatives rather than being excited about the positives. Definitely got to accept compromises particularly in an expensive town like Reigate. I've always had this silly image of having a glass of wine in my sun-soaked garden at 7pm (after being in a flat for 7 years with no outside space) but I guess I can always have it at 3pm! Definitely a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.

Congrats! Reigate is a wonderful place to live. You'll meet people no problem- there's always lots going on, and clubs for everything. I've got friends in Reigate in their 30s with no children (some of whom love board games too!). Definitely join the local Facebook pages - there are a few but as someone said the We Love Reigate group is a good one. If you're into sport there's loads of good social fitness groups that meet in Priory Park too.

Thanks! I’m actually super excited about moving to Reigate, I think it’s the right choice for us. Will definitely be joining some work out classes in the park!

Hi Charlotte/ OP, I'd love to know how you've got on in Reigate and in that lovely house of yours over the years? I also have no kids and in my thirties, and my fiance and I are thinking of moving here - It's where my late dad grew up and also where my grandpa lived until he passed, so I feel the pull particularly strongly!

This is my first post on this site and not sure if you're meant to resurrect old threads like this, but hopefully you don't mind me asking :)