Where to move to??? Surrey / Hampshire / Berkshire?

[nursemumofone]

My husband and I are in our mid thirties. We've recently had a baby boy who is 6 months old.

Currently living in New Malden in a 2 bed maisonette flat.

We're looking for our next area to move to where we will hopefully stay for a long time.

Things we are looking for, our budget is max £750k

• Good state schools - primary and secondary
• Commutable into London Waterloo for husband's job, but preferably not within London as we want more space
• Ideally a hospital (preferably teaching but not hugely important) nearby although willing to drive to this - I am a cancer nurse.
• 3 / 4 bed with a garden, ideally with some grass so medium sized
• Good amenities for young families - swimming pool / cinema / leisure centre etc

We've so far looked at Epsom, but prices for space seem massive around there. We also prefer the idea of our baby eventually going to a mixed sex secondary, but the best secondaries around Epsom are single sex. Also concerned that Epsom will still feel too London-y in a few years' time.

Weybridge is out of our price range unfortunately.
We have friends and some family around Teddington but it is also out of our price range.

Are there any areas we're missing that we should look at?

Thanks in advance!

Farnham/Fleet/Farnborough areas with Frimley Park Hospital
Guildford area with Royal Surrey
Basingstoke with North Hants Hospital

All have surrounding towns villages with leafy suburbs, plenty of good schools and 6th forms. Guildford & Farnham more pricey.

What schools are good in Basingstoke and which areas are nice to live in please?

Woking has quick trains into Waterloo and it’s a very family orientated area. People always slag off the town centre but it has got loads of amenities. Lots and lots of schools to choose from.

Thanks @Linens what areas of Woking are nicest for families? Near green space etc?

I would second this, and add Ash Vale as it's a little gem of a station. Farnborough property prices are good when taking into account train fares. Farnham/Guildford and my particular favourite - Godalming are much "prettier" than Farnborough but North Camp is a really lovely community. Farnborough leisure centre has been demolished sadly but there are plans for a new civic centre. I would also add, Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is in Farnham which may be of interest in your career.
(Just moved from Farnborough after 25+ years there with children. Son has been researching as FTB and keeps coming back to Farnborough as a good option!)

Another vote for Farnborough here. Not the most exciting place, but it has a good service to Waterloo, and in easy driving of Frimley Park and Royal Surrey County Hospitals.

Schools, I do not know about but the 6th Form College has an excellent reputation.

I would go for South Farnborough or North Camp if possible.

One downside is the airshow every other year.

I have worked in Woking and wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. The only good thing about it is the excellent train service out of there.

Have a look at eastern Bracknell. Martin's Heron (with train station direct to Waterloo), Forest Park etc. Walking distance to the station, two supermarkets, a swimming pool etc and a nearby forest with great walks.

Here is what £700k can get you:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152836751#/?channel=RES_BUY

I wouldn't move to basingstoke for schools we are moving out because of schools .
Wokingham lower early has good secondary and primary schools also grammar if you decide to go for that .
With your budget you would get a nice house there
I am not sure about commuting to london my husband will do it but only twice a week . You have the option to waterloo instead of Paddington but on a slower train
Guildford is very nice as well

Basingstoke and Winchester go straight into Waterloo and both have hospitals and good schools.

Wokingham ticks most of your boxes

• Good state schools - primary and secondary - Wokingham schools are excellent
• Ideally a hospital (preferably teaching but not hugely important) nearby although willing to drive to this - I am a cancer nurse. The Royal Berks Hospital is in Reading, about 8 miles away
• 3 / 4 bed with a garden, ideally with some grass so medium sized For £750K, this is easily achievable
• Good amenities for young families - swimming pool / cinema / leisure centre etc- Wokingham has a swimming pool, leisure centre an Everyman cinema, soft play and lots of other children's activities

Commutable into London Waterloo for husband's job, but preferably not within London as we want more space - this is the only one somewhat less convenient as Wokingham does go to Waterloo but it takes an hour & 10 mins.

I think you want to live in Fleet for the commute, nice vibes and access to Frimley Park hospital.

Thanks for this. Is Wokingham an easy area to make friends / good sense of community?

Winchester- under an hour to Waterloo. Easy access to 3 large hospitals & has a t decent city centre.

Petersfield? Could work in Southampton, Portsmouth or Chichester. Train into Waterloo

Yes, I would say so - there’s lots going on, community events like the winter carnival & May Fair, and there’s several local FB groups with news of what’s going on, social events etc.

Sunbury on Thames by the river. Good schools and good links via road and rail.

It is though 55 minutes into Waterloo but near the start of the line so you get a seat!

We moved from Earlsfield to Epsom/Stoneleigh borders and hated it ...so moved again to Tunbridge Wells (having looked in a huge arc across the south from Winchester, Guildford, Godalming, Farnham etc...). Schools are ace, commute easy, hospital (in a trust ranked #3 in the country), beautiful countryside and the sea not too far away.....

For Hampshire try rural areas like overton or Whitchurch for direct lines to Waterloo and decent schools. ( better schools than Basingstoke)
You could drive to Oxford or Southampton for large teaching hospitals or work at Basingstoke or Winchester in oncology.
Winchester is expensive but has good schools.
I would say Whitchurch is a good bet as has a good secondary school and station. Kids go to Winchester for 6th form anyway. Nice town without Winchesters drug problem.

If you want Southampton general look at chandler's ford but will be a longer train journey and drive to a main station for London.

I think Martin’s Heron is a very good shout! Lots of family things to do. Lego land
is 15 mins away, The Look Out Discovery Centre (science based activities which my 2 year old grandkids love along with a great park attached. Coral Reef water world is opposite which I have been informed is the best water park for toddlers. Bracknell shopping centre is fabulous and has lots of eateries. Lily Park and lots of other parks. Windsor is 20 mins away.

@Panicmode1 what did you hate about Epsom?

Have you thought about frimley? Frimley Park Hospital, very close to farnborough rail, Ravenscote and Tomlinscote schools. Leisure centre in Camberley?

Guildford. I’ve had 2 babies at royal Surrey, care was brilliant. Our GP surgeries are wonderful (sorry to say but we do seem to benefit from Jeremy hunt being our MP! 🫣)

Schools wonderful. Most amenities I’ve ever needed for the kids have been within 20 mins (circus skills was the only thing I couldn’t find when DS1 was a baby, but there is one now!).

In London within an hour door to door.

Sooooo glad we moved here. The classic London-Guildford move, but it’s popular for a reason.

@nursemumofone Can I ask why you a leaving NM? One of my siblings is looking round there.

In terms of moving what about Epsom?