Nicest place to live a commute to Gatwick airport?

[Lucielllle87]

If money was no object, where would you choose for a max 45 min commute to Gatwick?

Advice for a friend who currently lives abroad!

Horsham.

And would anywhere in London be possible? (I think probably not?)

I have heard good things about Reigate, Oxted and Edenbridge- I'd probably start around there?

You can get into London Bridge and Victoria within half an hour from Gatwick, so definitely.

South Coast? Ditchling, Arundel, Petworth, Tunbridge Wells if driving. What specifically are they looking for though?

If the preference is for London then clapham junction to Gatwick is half an hour on the train. So around there if budget permits!

It’s quick from Croydon!

Reigate, Banstead, Chipstead are close and nice residential areas in the London direction, good schools (although small catchments, buy/rent carefully!). Or go further towards West Sussex which would be cheaper, Billingshurst, Petworth. Dorking and surrounding villages worth a look too.

Budget will be important.

I think they’d imagined by car - but train from London is probably the only way? Is it expensive to commute on?

They’re looking for a friendly place to live with kids - and they’re an international couple. One is very arty.

Epsom, Dorking or Guildford. Horsham is nice too but very much on flight path- so depends if that bothers them and have they experienced it?? If not I would suggest they avoid anywhere that's really on the flight path

We are Living in Windsor at moment (short term) and it's not for the faint hearted at certain times of day and night .

If money is no object, then avoid Croydon, Edenbridge and Dorking and Crawley.
I’d probably live in Sevenoaks, Uckfield, Tunbridge Wells, Leatherhead, Clapham, Wimbledon

They currently live in a big city, so maybe they won’t be so bothered by flight noise? I’m not sure!

I suspect living somewhere that welcomes diverse international people will be ideal. I think they’re ok for money (they’ve got more than me! So can afford nice places!).

If money was no object, you'd choose Croydon

Ha even I (opposite end of London dweller) know to avoid Croydon if you’ve got enough cash!

@Lucielllle87 from what you've just said I think Guildford or Brighton would suit them most - or even somewhere like Wimbledon/kingston/Hayward's heath maybe - although Wimbledon and Kingston will be 45 mins on a very good day

When we drove home from Gatwick the other week I said to DH I'd forgotten how nice Reigate high street is.

Currently in Lewes for the weekend. Very arty, quirky etc and very family friendly.

Reigate or Epsom.

Or anywhere except Crawley.

East Grinstead

If they have £1.5 million plus for a house then definitely consider ‘Between the Commons’ (Clapham and Wandsworth) and commute to Gatwick via train from Clapham Junction. I see BA pilots in uniform walking up Northcote Rd a fair bit so it must be a doable enough commute if you have the cash!

Are they working at the airport or nearby? Flight paths currently go East-West so best avoid an area around A264 (Horsham/East Grinstead roughly) and a couple of miles north and south of that line. Do they need schools, private or state?

Reigate, Dorking. I was in Brighton recently and it’s really dirty and I was quite shocked.
Maybe Kingswood.
Reigate has a beautiful park, lots going on in the town center. Lots of private schools to choose from. Easy to get into London.

London side or countryside?

Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, Lewis, Brighton?

South Croydon's pretty swanky in parts!

Otherwise Horsham or Brighton.

I missed the money no object part! Although I would pick Croydon over somewhere like Reigate - pretty but dull

More rurally could look at Henfield, Upper Beeding, Ashdown forest