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.

Oddly enough DH, comes from West Norwood, knows your area well,had turned into a right country boy. All the places you have named aren't villages. We lived many years in Redhill,earlswood. Lingfield,yes it is a village, but has a station,easy commute to London. (We now have the near the coast village bungalow) perfectly fine place to live. Cuckfield, I was born there, got to get to Haywards heath for the train.my oldest DD lived in Tunbridge Wells till a year ago. She worked in London. Tonbridge is lovely,Kent is a lot cheaper than Surrey for housing.

What about Horsham? Direct line to Victoria. Really lovely town with good schools and excellent 6th form college. Lots of young families.

😆yes you're right!

It was previously Green Oak. It has definitely improved. I know some lovely children who attend the school and the class sizes are small. Unfortunately I think it will take some time for it to shake off it's previous reputation. It's a shame that some people won't give it a chance.

@Cloudhopping I absolutely love Tunbridge Wells as well as Seveloaks but the first is really too far and second quite pricey...can't do find for our budget that is pretty :(

Just as aside to say that feeling of not belonging changes a lot when DC go to primary. I'm in crystal palace, which is one of the most community-ish places I've ever lived in three decades of being in London, but it still made all the difference when DC when to school. There's the social side of course for them and for you, but it also helps with the rootedness and sense of belonging. Course you'd get that in a village or town too and sounds like you want to move anyway, but just mentioning as I too felt that impulse to move when DC were similar age to yours but it went away as soon as they got to nursery age at the primary school they went onto and I'm really glad we stayed here after all.

@Pinkdelight3 thank y ever so much for this very kind message which I appreciate so much ..which school did your children go to? I think you are completely right And I'm sure we would feel way more rooted once my daughter goes to school but I would Still want to move into a bigger house now that we want a second baby...I was in Guildford yesterday and I think that's where we will.move to...to be honest our next door neighbors are our best friends so my need of moving is not so much for us.we love it here and how.well connected it is ...we just feel that In a village
she might grow in a more simple way and that it could possibly be a bit safer...but who knows we might never move..

Definitely agree with this. Close to country and coast, with a thriving community, and great schools.