House search in Surrey - suggestions please

[ThePoliteBunny]

We are moving towards Surrey for family relocation. We currently have 2 children, with the older one due to start reception in 2026.

What we are looking at:

• 850k semi- or detached house (room for expansion)
• school, in good state primary school catchment area
• activities, parks or rivers for children to walk and play
• commuting, not necessary but not too bad to go into London once a while
• low crime rate

Places we are researching includes Weybridge, Walton, Chertsey, Esher and Cobham. I don’t know much about those areas apart from heard some of the “attractions” in each; hence, a suggestion on which area is better for family is needed.

Also, any streets/roads in these areas that are nice to look at or to avoid would be appreciated as I am aware that there are nice and bad streets in any places.

I would love to know the answer to this one too!

You’d struggle a bit in Cobham and in Weybridge too perhaps.

I would be careful about Chertsey. It’s quite a mixed bag there.

The best area for commuting is Woking, with fast trains to Waterloo. Have you looked at Guildford, Farnham, villages towards the M3 like Bisley, West End, Lightwater or Chobham? Or villages outside Guildford - Bramley, others I can’t think of atm.

What about secondaries?

You’d struggle a bit in Cobham and in Weybridge too perhaps

In what sense?

Epsom or Ashtead.

Lovely common, easy access to countryside, good schools, good train connections to Victoria, Waterloo and London Bridge.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159221264#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87066177#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159409193#/?channel=RES_BUY

This is just a sample. I know all these roads. Really good places to live.

Weybridge or Cobham would tick those boxes.

Walton is OK but definitely a town not a village. Obviously it depends what you're after.

A bit further out you have Horsell which might be worth a look.

Ashtead doesn't have much there though

Yeah I did wonder about Ashtead too and if it’s more of a commuter town only but not necessarily with a community feel. Wonder if any of those other places would have that though? There are definitely some houses in Weybridge for that budget. I’ve also been looking in Chobham which is close to Woking but much smaller with some lovely wee shops and cafes but does mean there’s less on the market though.

Look at Hersham... you'll get more for your money & surrounded by Walton, Weybridge & esher. Good primary schools too.

--www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153637910#/?channel=RES_BUY--

Try Claygate, the cheaper end of Esher. Has commons, train station, independent shops

Weybridge has St George’s Hill, which is very expensive and means that prices are high in general.

Fairmile in Cobham is very expensive too. But then, Surrey is expensive in general.

Chobham is lovely, but there’s little in the way of state schools, if you’re looking for state. There’s a primary, but no secondary. Lots of private options in the area though.

Have a look at Bookham, Leatherhead & Fetcham.

Egham is worth considering.

Tadworth

And a London bus - your teens will thank you!

East Molesey / Thames Ditton also worth a look.

Does it?? News to me but I do t have teens

Have you considered Surbiton? It's in Kingston, but right on the Surrey border. It ticks all your boxes.

The K3 is TfL.

Bookham and Effingham are lovely

Didn’t realise this tread is active again!

Sadly we are still looking. Recently more around the Guildford and Woking area. Would like to hear what people think of those 2.

I know everyone is saying Woking is a commuter town and soulless stuff. But from the recent visits, I find it has lovely parks/common. Houses in nearby villages are also quite nice. I felt Guildford houses are very expensive and honestly very nice looking in general. Maybe I have not looked in the right area of Guildford. Any suggestions?

Woking has lots going for it - good primary schools, lovely commons and canal / river walks nearby, close to London, multicultural, good rail links. The town centre is a bit characterless it's true but overall we do enjoy living here. Maybe look at Horsell, St John's, Mayford.

Horsell has 3 schools so suits all ages and they’re all within walking distance of each other and it’s a lovely village but expensive

How about this one in Esher?

Gorgeous area, loads of walks, very lively village atmosphere with lots to do for children and adults (and bus/train into Kingston or Guildford for teens) Good schools.