Living in Epsom: tell me everything I need to know (commute, safety, schools etc)

[IncyWincySpy]

DH and I are considering relocating to Epsom in order to be able to buy our first property. We currently live in London and have 1 DD who is 3yo. We don’t have a massive budget but should be enough to get us either a small house or a nice maisonette there.
I have done a bit of research but keen to hear from those who know the area well. How is it living there? Main things for us are:

• commute (for school pick ups etc): I saw there are 2 trains from Wloo after 4pm that would take me there on time to collect DD from nursery/school clubs before 6pm closing time. Are these reliable?
• safety: I was reading that it is one of the most “dangerous” towns in Surrey but it doesn’t seem that way based on people comments. Is it just because of size? I know Guildford is one of the most “dangerous” towns too but I’d happily live there for example
• schools: good primaries and secondaries and a wide array of childcare arrangements as we work ft
• community/diversity: we are european and currently live in London, would love to be in a place with a variety of nationalities and backgrounds; is it one of those 90% white middle class British?

Any other info on best areas etc is well accepted; will need to be walkable distance from station. Budget is around half a million max.

As you mentioned it How about this in Guildford -? Well within budget and nicely done. I like Guildford a lot- (we don't live there but know it really well) I don't think anywhere that's pretty nice in Surrey is hugely diverse if I'm honest- Kingston maybe a bit more so but guess it counts as London. I would ignore those crime things- size definitely comes into it! Personally if you can find within budget I would go for Guildford over Epsom, guess it's a matter of taste but I think theres a bigger 'feel' to it.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128465951

Commute is cheaper and faster from Epsom so Guildford is not an option for us atm. Thank you

I can't tell you the specifics as it's years since I lived in the area but I had to laugh at asking about ethnicity. Britain is 85% white, outside of cities far more so (where I used to live is 52% non white) do yes a smaller town will be most white, and as a modest home is half a million pounds (which is a massive budget by the way for a young family) of course it will mostly be affluent unless you are in the dwindling housing association stock.

Still can't get over the "don't have a massive budget then saying £500k. Such a London bubble some people are in. Even where I live which is really fashionable currently £500k get you a large townhouse near the marina.

@gogohmm well I get that if you are not used to London prices this seems like a massive budget but here where I live now, £500K will get you a 700sq ft flat at best.
Our full time nursery fee is close to £2000 as an example so it’s just another planet in terms of costs, sadly.

i live in the area and wouldn’t have any particular concerns about safety; I wouldn’t think it very dangerous! Commute wise, the trains are pretty reliable - and with trains also running from Victoria and London Bridge you have options if one line isn’t playing along! In my experience it’s a good area for state schools - all the primaries have a pretty good reputation, as do Rosebery and Glyn (the single sex girls and boys school). I can’t say it’s diverse compared with London, but we have friends of varied nationalities. Overall, we like it - easy to get into London, close to countryside, and lots of families (so plenty options of activities for the kids).