Moving to Woking

[VandFamily]

Hello Everyone,

We are at the starting phase of property search in Woking.
We are targeting for a 3 bedroom house and our budget is between 450k to 550k.
Online it is showing a bunch of houses in Knaphill , Goldsworth park and Kingsfield but some first hand opinion for everyone would be helpful.

Can anyone advice me on the rough and smart areas in this town?

Thank you in advance.

Hi, we moved to Woking 18m ago, it's a great town, surprisingly underrated! There aren't really any rough areas, it's a very 'middle-class' town full of large detached houses. Goldsworth park was historically all council estate at one point, but it's also where the Woking Waitrose is, so can't be that rough, and there is a beautiful lake there apparently, but I have yet to visit. Sheerwater/Maybury was also majority council housing but that is slowly changing and the council is trying to make them more desirable with affordable housing to buy, because of their proximity to the station they are very up and coming and desirable for people with a tighter budget. There's a large South Asian community there but they are peaceful people and actually these pockets are some of the safest in Woking anyway. Believe it or not, Woking was recently rated one of the safest town in the U.K! With crime rate being low, I think you will be pushed to find a particularly rough part. Kingfield and Knaphill are cheaper, but far out from the town centre and station. The 'nicest' parts of Woking are South Woking, Horsell and St. Johns.

Goldsworth Park wasn't originally all council estate, it was built in the 1980s as a commercial housing development! It's a bit more affordable than older houses nearer the station because it's an estate, but is very popular and houses there are a very safe buy. The lake is indeed nice, although the miles of green belt around are a bigger draw for me. I used to live in Maybury, which had a bad reputation at the time but was completely fine. I've been in Woking 30+ years and am v happy here: it's not exciting but it's been a great place to live and bring up a family. The main thing dictating property prices, other than size of house, obviously, is distance from the station, because so many people live here to commute. If you don't need to consider that, then you will find you get more for your money in places further from the station, therefore.

Agree with @Rebecca1985x on all points other than the Goldsworth Park council estate thing, btw

@WhiteArsenic Thanks for clarifying on Goldsworth park! Must check it out soon, a walk by the lake perhaps…

Do you need quick access to the train for commuting! Brookwood is on the line to Woking, then Waterloo. I think it’s less expensive than Horsell, Pyrford, Hook Heath. If you wanted to be a bit further out, the next village to Knaphill is Bisley, then West End, which are more pleasant.

Do you need access to the train station?

Horsell is nice. You could also consider West Byfleet, Byfleet, Pyrford (although Pyrford a bit more expensive).

We are moving away from Woking after 15 years but I’ve mostly enjoyed living here. It’s quiet and surprisingly green, lots of lovely old trees but I find it a bit dull now and so do my dc who are just finishing their school years and heading to uni.

It’s been good for them because it’s a compact and safe town, they’ve had a lot of freedom to walk to friends houses and school. And easy to get to London or Guildford for shops.

Do you need a school? I would consider that before choosing an area.

I do believe it's compulsory to mention the 22 minutes from Waterloo thing.

What schools are you looking for and are you Catholic?

I grew up and lived around Woking for 35+ years. I enjoyed my time there but it’s essentially a small commuter town.

It’s changed dramatically. The council are verging on bankruptcy due to the gamble of the pointless soulless towers and shops built recently.
Its now a VERY expensive area, more than many parts of London.
I would look elsewhere you’ll get much more for your money.

I'm also considering Woking - but would need to be near good (non Catholic) schools (still at baby stage so just worried about primary schools for now).

@Sublime66 where would you recommend instead?

Hi there, I just found this thread. Just wondering, when you say Horsell is nice, what makes it so? :) I've never been there and wondering what it's like to someone who knows it well. Thank you

• Green space but close to main town, amenities and commuter links.
• Nice local village shops
• Good schools
• Community feel

@Wokingmum which schools did your children go to?