BARNES OR WALTON ON THAMES TO LIVE??

[Robynred209]

Hi
so im looking to move from South Croydon to either Barnes or Walton on Thames this year.
Which would you choose? What’s your thoughts and experiences of each area please to help me decide which direction to go 🤗because at the moment I’m confused.com and torn as the property in Walton is bigger than the one in Barnes
id appreciate any advice and help 😁

Barnes. It's a far nicer area than Walton-on-Thames which is basically Purley with a river on one side of it.

Dunno. Can’t afford either.

I don't know Barnes very well but I do know Walton.

Walton is very popular. You have the river, good schools (Primary and Secondary), a fairly nice shopping centre although it is suffering, like many, with empty units. There is a nice leisure centre, a massive choice of restaurants and cafes, transport links and generally a nice vibe.

Some areas are better than others. Hersham is on the edge of Walton and has a more village like feel. Walton is definitely a town and is busy.

I regard Barnes as London and Walton as Surrey.

LITERALLY EITHER THEYRE BOTH FINE.

Sorry couldn’t resist 😄 they’re both nice enough. I’d go Walton as further out so IMO far preferable.

I know Walton on Thames very well. I would never buy a property there. The town centre is utterly devoid of any charm and traffic over the bridge is horrendous! The train into London is very quick though. I don’t know Barnes at all but for the money you pay in Walton I would think you could do better.

I lived in Barnes a long time ago. What’s the status on Hammersmith Bridge because that was the main negative for me.

Depends whether you want to live in a green part of London or a home counties town. My guess is, you get a fair bit more for your money in Walton - more garden, bigger rooms. Walton has good local schools, state and private, and is quite lively. I know some units are shut down, but it has a nice cinema, great theatre, restaurants etc. I have to visit it for work fairly often and it always leaves a nice impression.

I don't know Barnes so well. But it seems leafy and villagey and sleepy but inside London when I have visited friends there.

It is going to be a long long time before it's sorted.

Barnes. Its in London and a lovely place to be. Has a villagey feel and the London Wetland Centre

Personally I like Barnes better, it has a nice feel. It depends a little on how you tend to get around, where you go and what you do though. If you like to drive out to the countryside all the time Walton is a better choice. If you're happy on public transport Barnes is better, once you get across Hammersmith bridge you have great transport options.

They're both nice. Barnes is more stylish, Walton more suburban. The key difference is that one is in London and the other is not. Do you need to commute into London for work? Obviously Barnes is more central but with the bridge problem you may find commuting in from Walton just as easy.

I love Barnes, I’d pick that on the basis it’s more central, but it depends on what is important to you. The Hammersmith Bridge being out is a pain.

Hi everyone
Thank you so much for your thoughts and experiences.
I agree both areas are nice for sure. The Walton property is bigger, its central right in the town.
I work remotely so commuting isn’t required for me but I do understand the Hammersmith Bridge issue is still ongoing but won’t affect me too much. I wanted to live closer to Richmond where my family are but too expensive for me. The Barnes property is just off Castelnau Road if you know it and in the Richmond Borough.
I myself have never been to Barnes but will be viewing next week.
So I’m thinking do I go with a bigger floor space in Walton on Thames that has a village feel or a smaller floor space in Barnes that seems quieter?
what would you do please? 🙏🏼

Have you considered Hampton. It's much nearer Richmond but cheaper. More charming than Walton but still on the river.

I have and actually I really would like Hampton too it’s all the things you’ve said but I’m firstly just trying to work it out between Walton and Barnes.
it seems Walton is a lot more well known than Barnes?

Barnes is expensive for that area, maybe less so on the Castlenau side (which I think is further away from Richmond?). Have you considered East Sheen, St Margaret’s or Kew? All very close to Richmond.

Barnes is not as known just because it's a small area I think.

It's very pricy for what you get. I would imagine if you can buy a house there you'd get a really really nice house in Walton.

How long do you want to live in this house.

I agree with another OP. Hampton is close to Richmond and closer in than Walton. Teddington? Twickenham?

Why are you only looking at houses in those two areas? What about Esher, East Molesey and Weybridge? Those three areas will be cheaper than Barnes per sq metre but are far areas than Walton and are as close to Richmond.

I love Barnes, it's so nice and villagey but the traffic drove me INSANE when i lived nearby. The upper richmond road was often gridlocked on the weekend. Castlenau used to be good for the bridge but alas no more. It will be much more ££ than walton.

The train is also a PITA from barnes bridge and barnes station is far (altho i think you could walk over the bridge and get the tube?

On the plus side the sheen sainburys is excellent!

We were looking around there but ended up moving to z6 due to price and train speed!

Barnes is nicer but to be honest I wouldn't buy a property there because of the aircraft noise.

Be careful if it's one of the cheaper Boot houses in Barnes. It could be hard to get a mortgage unless it's been reconstructed.

Barnes. It’s closer to Richmond, closer to London. Is posher. But the traffic is terrible. And planes fly over head. I know it well but wouldn’t choose to live there. Walton is a provincial town even further down a commuter line. And given I choose to live 25 mins cycle ride from King’s Cross I don’t think it would suit me. But maybe that’s what you want.

im more curious about what it is about those two places that you like, and what life you are hoping to live there.
that’s all that makes sense.

I know Barnes very well. We raised our youngest there and moved across Barnes Bridge to Chiswick in 2013. I go there a lot still because it’s right there. Barnes is pretty. It’s not worth what it costs to buy in there. But! Schools are fabulous and the community feel is so warm. It’s definitely a plus. Boot houses are shite, even ones that have had a makeover just aren’t worth what they go for on the market (bad build/architecture). The area around them is not very nice… North Barnes is a bit sad, imo. Air traffic noise is very loud over Barnes. Go to Chiswick across the bridge: Dukes Meadows/Corney Road area. Houses are more affordable and the area is gorgeous!

Come to Teddington! Close to Richmond, good schools, cheaper than Barnes, lovely high street.

Having said which, my neighbour is just moving to Walton so maybe you get more for your money there. But there are lots of lovely areas close to Richmond; Barnes isn't your only option.