Suggestions for areas to move to - South of England

[Collie86]

Hi everyone,

I'm returning to the UK after being out of the country for some time, and I'd like to ask about good places to move to in the South.

I'm looking for a countryside area with good transport links and local supermarkets handy - up to 35 minutes commute time to London is fine. Even a bit more is ok.

I've looked into Guildford, Surrey, Ascot, but I don't know where else to look and frankly, I don't even know much about the areas noted. I've been away for a few years and everything has changed.

Would really appreciate suggestions about areas.

Some info that might help:

• I'm looking for a safe, family-oriented area as I'll moving alone - single female
• Village/countryside or close to nature to go out and about for walks
• Close to a good train line as I'll be relying on public transport - no car sadly
• Walking distance/Close to shops for groceries etc.
• Non-smoker and I don't have pets

Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Slightly out of your commute time but we have just moved to Otterbourne (Winchester) and it is lovely .

I am from Guildford- love it but consider Shere, Godaming, Farnham (not a village or rural but lovely), Horsham.

Godalming-friends live there, on doorstep to South Downs and very pretty, safe town, commutable to London. Not cheap, though.

Do you mean 35 minutes commute into Central London (for work)? If so, I think it's unlikely you will find anywhere in the countryside tbh. 35 mins is a pretty short London commute ime.

@clary I'll be working remotely, but it would be nice to have access to the city. I've seen some places with 30-35 mins commute time around greater London but wasn't too keen, so I'm willing to see places somewhat further out.

Where is your London base office for that commute? Which is the closest station.

Godalming has a station:my friend commutes to central London, a Waitrose, independent shops and is very pretty with a village-y feel. Good pubs and can recommend the Indian restaurant. Guildford is just down the road for a larger town.

@Rollercoaster1920 not sure about the office - that is to be confirmed for now, but stations will either be Victoria or Paddington, but I could have other options. I have a lot of flexibility with the location because it's looking likely I will be able to work fully remote so I'll only be going to in once or twice a month.

Meopham in Kent? 35 minutes to Victoria on the train and a local Waitrose.

Have you looked at Buckinghamshire? Haddenham sounds like it would be perfect, also look at Denham, Gerrards Cross.

@Xdecd thank you for this, I'll look into it. :)

And thank you to everyone for your suggestions.

Wokingham:

• huge amounts of new build, expensive in town centre but outside town centre is nice too

• Very safe, lots of green space and walks (lots of the residential areas are joined by pathways, so often easier and nicer to walk or cycle.)

• commonly voted best family place to live in the UK

• good sense of community and lots of volunteering

• good and outstanding schools

• nice small town centre with decent shops, restaurants, a Waitrose, an Aldi, Everyman cinemas. A new town centre leisure centre is being built, with a new gym and pool.

• train or bus to Reading or Bracknell, easy. You can do Paddington via Reading but expensive if you are doing it at peak time or regularly. Also train to Waterloo around an hour, soon you will have Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) via Twyford too.

Take a look at Horsell. Lovely village with schools, pubs, local high street. Walking distance to Woking station and all its fast trains, plus also walking distance out to Horsell common. It is the best of both worlds and although not cheep, has many different styles of housing so caters for different budgets.

Caversham which is the North part of Reading, really nice little community with independent shops and a Waitrose, but very near to reading train station. Super close to green spaces to the north too. It depends on your budget though.

What's your budget? You could look along the East Grinsted line, so around Sanderstead, Riddlesdown, Upper Warlingham, etc. Quick trains to Victoria or London Bridge and tons of green space on your doorstep. Alternately the Caterham line - Purley, Kenley, Whyteleafe.

Or Reigate or Dorking, which are both lovely small towns surrounded by countryside. Trains to London are a bit longer though - about 45 mins I believe. Bromley could also work. Really depends on your budget!

We moved to Sevenoaks from Dubai and absolutely love it. Multicultural and "worldly", friendly people, decent facilities and 25mins to London Bridge on the fast train. Not good if you need Paddington or Victoria though

I agree with Reading area

Reigate! yes, it's 45min to Victoria but v.nice.

If more suburban, try Beckenham, great big park there if not the countryside as such. About 35min to Victoria.

I know there's a fast train from Woking which takes about 30 minutes into Waterloo. No idea what the area or prices are like though!

Thanks, everyone, I will look into all these places... what are your thoughts on Guildford and Southsea?

Also, should I use rightmove to search for rentals? any other websites you recommend?

x

Hello! Although the stops are Clapham junction for Victoria, or Waterloo, I love living in Haslemere. Safest, most welcoming place I've ever lived. Dm me if you'd like to chat , I can tell you about Godalming area too. I commute to Holborn.

@fiestasprimavera I was looking into Haslemere earlier today! I will def DM if I need more info. x

Another suggestion for the east Grinstead line, Oxted is nice/ Woldingham very rural feel but not much in the way of shops both around 30 mins to Victoria or London Bridge.

I also love Sevenoaks and surrounding villages.

It would take a lot longer than 30 minutes to commute to London from Southsea.