House in Weybridge (Surrey) with a modest budget, are we going to fit in with people?

[Somethingsgotthagive]

We are considering this area, although we only visited a couple of times. Seems to be very wealthy with massive mansions and people driving very £££ cars. We really like the town though, has good schools and trains are decent. We say a few modest homes within our budget so we are now seriously considering it as the next move for our family. Are we going to fit in, will everyone be super posh?
We have normal jobs and a normal joint income of £110K, which isn't low at all but also maybe not up to the Weybridge average. I just want to make ensure that us and DC will feel that we fit in the area.

No, you won't fit in unless you have three eyes, size arms and come from the planet zog.

Seriously, it's fine. There are some large houses and big private estates, but that's the minority of people.

The primary schools have nine forms between them for each year so that's 270 children of every primary school year attending a state primary. Normal people. Some wealthier than others.

The typical demographics are probably wealthier than the national average, and there probably are a higher proportion attending private school, but it's definitely not everyone by any stretch.

(Also, for info £110k isn't really normal).

We lived there for just over 8 years and most people are normal and lovely! You’ll fit in fine I’m sure.

I live very close to Weybridge and I can assure you the same social problems exist there as anywhere else! Money can’t insulate everything. It’s a lovely place and I am sure you will be happy there.

@SurreyMumOfOne thank you. As I said I don't know the area well myself but feedback I get from colleagues and people I know is that it's generally very posh, with lots of proper rich people living there. I know £110K income is way above average but this is joint so two of us working full time in London. Although it isn't low, it really isn't high either, especially when you have expensive childcare bills and live in an area where housing is also very very ££££££!!

Although it isn't low, it really isn't high either,

and that statement is why you will fit in just fine. It really is high…

There are all types of houses in Weybridge, from Council houses to houses over £20M in St George’s Hill. The only problem at the moment is traffic, it’s absolutely awful at the moment. I live just outside, but worked in Weybridge over 25 years.

Weybridge is very mixed, it’s just a commuter town, with every demographic in it, from those on benefits in social housing to professionals to working families.

@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister are you based in London?

@kasho5 can I ask you about diversity? were there many people from other nationalities or is it mainly white british?

@Somethingsgotthagive no I’m not, but you don’t need to be based in London to know that £115k is a large joint salary.
I’m not saying you don’t have large outgoings, you obviously do. But you must realise that you’re in the massively privileged position of being able to afford those outgoings precisely because of your large salary. People live in London on a damn sight less. You can afford to buy a house in one of the most expensive parts of the UK. You will be fine.

Believe it or not, we can actually read here too 😂 I did read to word joint. I would still say it's well beyond normal, but suggest we move on. Income never comes up in conversation. We're not money obsessed.

WRT diversity, 38% of my child's school class are non-white or non-British. So yes, majority white British, but a good mixture.

@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister I understand your point and I am certainly not here complaining that we are badly struggling. BUT, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world and therefore what would be considered a very good income eslewhere in the country, really does not go THAT far in London, especially if you have DC and you are only just getting on the property ladder.
House prices are still at their highest and interest rates are too so a mortgage for a very modest 2 bed house, as FTBs with a limited deposit will cost us anything between £2200 to £2500 per month. If, on top of that you add nearly £2000 in childcare and very expensive commuting costs, bills and food, you can easily see for yourself that there isn't that much left at the end of the month. So, probably still a comfortable life yes, but definitely not living as "wealthy" people at this moment in history in a place like London (and surroundings), especially as first time buyers with no family help.

@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister the above post isn't to imply that there aren't other people who are worse off. But given Weybridge is notoriously populated by a lot of proper rich people (bankers, lawyers, celebrities etc) I wanted to know what % of people on a "good/normal" income live there compared to the rich.

Depending on how many days childcare you need and what hours, you are likely looking at MORE than £2k/ month. And stupidly high council tax. Important to factor into budgets.

It’s not ‘posh’, there is a lot of wealth and bling but also lots of normal people. It’s a lovely place

hey, does anyone have any feedback/reviews about Cleves School in Weybridge? Cleves is outstanding on paper but I am looking for reviews/ first hand experience, if possible. Thanks!

Average household income in Weybridge is around £70k so you will be significantly above average!
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/bulletins/smallareamodelbasedincomeestimates/financialyearending2020#average-household-income-by-local-area

Actually just realised that is a net figure so you are probably around average

Not first hand experience but I have plenty of friends who have children there who are very happy. Near impossible to get into unless you are at one of the feeder infant schools.

Thank you for your valuable feedback! One concern I’ve come across online is that the school is said to have a highly competitive environment, which can be exhausting for some children and even for parents.
Could you share your thoughts on this? Does the school emphasize a highly demanding atmosphere, or is it more of a supportive and nurturing environment? (I know the feeder schools, thanks again!)@SurreyMumOfOne