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 😁

Also lived in Barnes off Castelnau and loved it. It was before the Hammersmith bridge closure though, so that would factor in to my decision making if I needed to drive etc.

I drove through Walton, Molesey and Hampton tonight. I don't know Barnes. Is either house on a busy road, noisy?

Depends on what you're buying, how much you've got to spend, and where you work, Barnes is in London, gorgeous, very very expensive and public transport is terrible unless you live close to one of the two train line stations.

Walton, not as desirable on the face of it, though you will get much more for your money.

I grew up in Walton on Thames, stayed there until my early 30's. Barnes is definitely more fashionable and chic, better transport links and variety BUT Walton is a really safe place, great community and a little quirky. Hampton court / Esher just a few minutes drive away which are stunning. Tough choice OP!

Closed for a long long time.

Depends what you want
Barnes will get you less for your money but a more exclusive location

Walton good schools and family oriented

So it’s Barnes or Walton (?!) and you’ve never even been to Barnes? I’m struggling with this one…

I live in Walton and love it here. But at the time of buying over 10 years ago I couldn’t afford Richmond, St Margaret’s, Teddington, Hampton or Twickenham which I would have liked. What’s your budget?!

Barnes is very obvious much nicer. Once you go, you'l see.
I'm pretty sure it was voted the nicest place to live in London a few years back.

You will get more for your money in Walton... because it's not as nice/ desirable

I know both very well and they are like chalk and cheese!

Barnes is a lovely urban village feel which isn't too big. Yes, lots of cars, but plenty of buses, good over ground trains and easy to walk over Hammersmith Bridge to the tube (or go to Richmond or Putney). The walkability of Barnes and surrounding areas is huge.

Walton is a suburban town. The riverside is nice, but not as nice as Barnes, and the High Street is functional, rather than charming, but with an increasing number of empty shops and with shops being replaced by service providers/hospitality.

But the biggest thing for me is that Barnes feels like a nice part of London, where as Walton is a commuter town. And actually some parts of Walton aren't all that lovely, so you need to be careful where you live in terms of access to which primary and secondary schools.

If I could get the space and parking I needed in Barnes, there's no way I'd consider Walton as an alternative.