Help on which area to relocate: Godalming, Reigate, Redhill, Guilford or Tunbridge

[crimp82]

Hi everyone. I am so overwhelmed that I hope someone can help me. I am planning to sell my house in London (Crystal Palace) and to relocate where my daughter (13 months old) can be raised in a village, amongst other children, a safe place and most importantly where state schools are excellent. I work in London Victoria and ideally I would like to find a place with a relatively easy commute (just over an hour). MY sis in law bought in Godalming which is an option but it does not seem to be very well connected to Victoria, so we are looking at alternatives. The most important thing for us is the state schools (I do not think we will be able to afford independent schools.). As I mentioned I would like to live next to a pretty village, green, good outdoor and most importantly excellent schools (ideally both primary and secondary ) since this will be our forever house. Our budget is anything in the region of £800 for a 4 bed house. Please help.

Hi I live in Godalming and love it. Moved out of London 22 years ago to have a family. Very safe and has good schools. It would be a struggle to find a 4-bed near the best bits of town for £800k but you never know in the current market.
Guildford has more going on re restaurants, shops etc but again expensive to buy.
Trains from Godalming to Waterloo are 45 mins. Guildford about 30 mins. Not too bad for a quiet leafy life that’s good for woodland walks and coast but doesn’t cut you off from city life.

Places in Sussex like Pulborough have direct trains to Victoria and aren't too far away for meeting up with your sister in godalming.
Godalming and Guildford are very expensive- I know all the places on your list are- but it doesn't seem sensible to choose an expensive location that isn't as good for a key criteria, eg ease of access to Victoria.

Reigate is lovely with excellent state school options but you’ll get more for your money in Redhill which also has excellent state options plus is only a 5 minute drive from Reigate x

I know Guildford and Godalming well. They are both lovely towns, with lots going on, particularly for parents with young children, so fit most of your criteria. However, there are only a few really good state schools, so unless you manage to find somewhere well within catchment then you will be left with one of the other ones. The "other ones" aren't necessarily bad, but they aren't excellent. You could also try looking at Farnham - some really good schools and lovely town - or Fleet, which also has some excellent schools. All still quite expensive though.

Hi @Jaq27 thank you so much for your answer...we went to see actually a brand new development not far from the station that would have houses within our budget...just a pity that if I move there I would have to change three trains to get to Victoria...might I ask if you have also recommendations on schools?

@MamaD2207 thank you so much...i have never been in either of them but read that they have excellent schools...I also read thought that they are often oversubscribed leaving moms having to opt for not so good ones...do you live there..can you share your experience with schools?

Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells? Two different places with different spellings, although not far from each other.

Hi @crimp82 you'd have to get the tube from Waterloo for Victoria so there is that.
There are no catchment areas with Surrey county council. You get three choices and they take other stuff into account eg siblings rather than location before you get your first choice offer.
My two left school a few years ago but the good schools back then were Busbridge juniors and for secondary Rodborough - but Covid got in the way of schools and GCSEs so things might’ve changed.
Grammar schools at Guildford are very good if your children can get past the entrance exam.
Always good to check out schools yourself.
There is no sixth form at Rodborough … the real gold is Godalming college which is one of the best in the UK for results. My two did brilliantly there for A levels and have both gone onto great careers.

Tonbridge I meant...I love Tunbridge wells but it seems a bit too far from Victoria where I need to commute.

i would absolutely look at places with a direct commute to Victoria, otherwise you are changing at Clapham junction twice a day

@Jaq27 which grammar are you referring to in Guilford? I don't think there is one ..I have heard of Godalmin college but that it's Independent and I'm not sure I can afford it...

@crimp82 Guildford Grammar School. Google it?
Godalming College is not fee based. Parents can support with funds if they choose to.

@Jaq27 sorry just checked and yes Godalming College seems to be a real gem and a state school...same as St. Peter in Guilford is another secondary that we looked at that seems amazing (although my DD is only 13 months and seems crazy looking at secondary schools)..

West Sussex has trains to Victoria and you’d get a four bed house for your money.

What about Oxted? Trains to both Victoria and London Bridge.

(Don't know about schools, but it's a lovely town with good access to countryside as well)

@Jaq27 Guilford Grammar used to be a grammar but it's an independent school now from what I read.. but yes I think I'm sold to Godalming .

Reigate does not have excellent state schools unless you are a church goer, and Redhill even less so. Reigate state is fine, Redhill I would never send my child there. I live in Reigate.
Trains from Redhill to many London terminals are plentiful and quick though.

If you're on a Waterloo train then it's easier to change at Clapham Junction to get to Victoria. But obviously easier still to be on a direct line.

Surrey doesn't have any state grammars.

The Royal Grammar School in Guildford is a private boys’ only secondary school.

NOT KENT!!

The Kent state school system is divided into two: grammar schools and non grammar schools. (There are no comprehensives.) To get a grammar place you have to force your child to do loads of extra homework on stupid crap like verbal reasoning puzzles, from around age 8, when they should be playing. If you do get a grammar place then the school is stressful and pretentious. If you don’t get into a grammar school then your child goes to the school where all the naughty kids are and bullying is a problem. So really: I wish I never moved to Kent and suggest you avoid it.

What about Hurst Green just outside Oxted? That line goes to Victoria.

Check out Brockham, nr Dorking

Seavenoaks!

Tunbridge Wells has a good choice of state schools. The grammars,TWGGS ,Skinners ,TWBGS are excellent and the non selective schools are pretty good ,the Skinners Kent Academy has really upped its game,Bennett and St Greg’s are decent schools.
Lots of villages with high achieving primary schools ,Langton Green,Speldhurst ,Groombridge,Claremont ,St James ,St Peters ,Fordcombe etc .
Change at Sevenoaks for Victoria .

Brockham is not very accessible by train is it?

But I would not describe any of the places on op's list as a village. Brockham I would though. Good bonfire though

Godalming college is good, but it's sixth form only. The only state secondary in Godalming is Broadwater - https://www.broadwater.surrey.sch.uk/. Rodborough is meant to be good, though its a little further out.