Where to move to? Ewell (Epsom) or Farnham?

[SurreyConfusion]

DH and I looking to move. Currently looking at two houses, one is in Ewell near Epsom and the other is in Hale, Farnham. Both kind of look OK - Ewell not as pretty but better transport links, Hale more peaceful but further from station. Neither of us commute into London anymore so transport not a deal breaker. Can anyone with experience of either (or both) areas advise please? Which would you choose?

Farnham is lovely, but it's a nightmare for traffic these days. I have relatives who grew up and live there and these days Farnham itself is often totally gridlocked.

I have family in Farnham and it is lovely

However what part of hale? Some of it is nice some not so much

What else is important to you in choosing a house? Do you have children? Do you want shopping/restaurants/theatres on the doorstep? Do you need access to a specific motorway/coast? etc etc

We both grew up in Farnham and I can often be heard muttering (as I sit in traffic) that I have no idea why anyone would choose to live there but I don't know Epsom so I can't compare.

To be fair it's a good town centre, lots of places to eat etc, it's just difficult to get through it in a hurry. Also I don't think Farnham is very high up Surrey's priority list for gritting the roads so we have to slide half way home in icy weather and as soon as we cross over onto Hampshire it's fine which always makes us laugh.

Traffic at peak times not a huge issue for us due to WFH, currently permanently but will be at least 3/4 days a week going forward as employer has vastly reduced office space. School catchment areas no longer an issue as all 3 DCs have finished school (hurrah).

The house we are looking at is near the church and close to Farnham Park, so not at all near the dodgy bit - which I think is Sandy Hill?

I live in Ewell. I like it very much, good transport links although I don’t need them. The village centre is pretty and there are lots of lovely green spaces for dogs walks, especially Nonsuch Park, the Hogsmill river and the Downs/racecourse.
I also know Farnham well, Sandy Hill part of Farnham is nice but not good for transport. Too far to walk into town. Hale is more Aldershot fringes. I would love to live in Farnham but in the town, or the lower slopes of the south side. (I went to the Grammar School before the building became South Farnham middle school).
Whereabouts are you thinking of in Ewell?

I forgot to say, of the two locations I’d prefer Ewell. The Sandy Hill location is too reliant on a car.

I know both areas, I'd favour Ewell personally - just a nicer area and I'd like the idea of being closer to London if I fancied a visit without feeling like I live in London