hi all, i've come on to mumsnet because I really hoped people from Woking and Guildford could help me understand the area better.
After doing some research and meeting a few locals in coffee shops and chatting, I've been told both towns have quite a lot of deprived areas, but there is also a lot of wealth on one end. There isn't much in the middle. In other words, there's quite a huge wealth disparity.
I have also visited both towns quite a few times now. In terms of living there, I like the more popular areas in both towns for families (Woking - Horsell area; Guildford - Pewley Hill area). School seems very good in both towns. People seem nice, although a bit reserved and not friendly upfront like in the North. Guildford has a prettier town centre, but Woking is perfectly adequate with a few good pockets of prettiness.
When in Woking town centre, I did smell cannabis every now and then, and there were a couple of people who looked... how do I put it... like they were looking for a fight. But it was literally once or twice. But generally, people seemed nice and normal. I also noticed it is quite ethnically diverse in Woking which I prefer and more used to from my upbringing (I also have a very mixed extended family).
When in Guildford, I noticed some homelessness, and a few groups of teenagers (probably aged around 14-15) vaping and smoking, which I find off-putting. It was not very diverse at all, I'd say 99% of people are white there, which makes me wonder about racism too.
I'm hoping people can advise me about the culture of both towns so I know the areas better. Safety and living somewhere nice and pleasant is really important to me and my mixed family.
Thank you for your help!