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Original poster

A bit more space and a bit more rural or less space and in town

30 replies

palmtreessunshine · 15/03/2025 18:06

Hi all.

Hoping for a bit of a handhold and some advice. We are moving from Wadsworth to Surrey. We’ve lived in Wadsworth for five years after moving from America.We’ve been on our first big day of looking at houses. Our budget is roughly 750 K for a four bedroom house. I’m pregnant with my fourth baby doing September.

We visited several places, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Epsom, dorking and Effingham.

The only house I absolutely loved is slightly above our budget. It’s also in an area called Langley, which is a more rural location. It’s about 10 minutes from the schools, we have our eyes on for our children.

after seeing the house, it was the only house I could imagine myself and my family in but being more rural and not walkable to really anywhere makes me feel quite nervous. We viewed seven houses as well. There’s not much on the market and we still quite arranged from fixer uppers in Dorking town center.

i’m very used to now being able to walk to baby classes and the grocery store. Our terrace house currently has a more open plan which makes it feel like it has more space than it actually does, but we don’t have the budget to stay in Woodsworth I would like to move someplace with better schools for our children.

how do I make this decision? Have any of you moved and regretted it?

OP posts:
ASongbirdAndAnOldHat · 15/03/2025 18:08

Only live rurally if you enjoy driving.

With four kids I think you need walkable and bus routes (unless you plan to move again at teen years)

Original poster
palmtreessunshine · 15/03/2025 18:08

A few more things I should say is I struggled with postpartum anxiety and depression after my most recent baby who’s too. Getting out to classes really made me feel better. But also being in nature makes me feel a lot better too. Being American I’m used to driving everywhere. But I did really get used to the convenience of walking to my local high Street and everything being at my fingertips. But after seeing such a wide range of houses and being slightly depressed at how little our money buys us I’m now suddenly wanting to pay extreme amounts of rent to stay in Wadsworth even though buying a house is our better investment of our money.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 15/03/2025 18:10

Rent an airbnb in the area for a week and see how you like it and imagine being there full time

It s a trade off.
Rural big house drive more
Or town house smaller easier to get a to b

ASongbirdAndAnOldHat · 15/03/2025 18:21

Rural living isn't for everyone - it is more isolating, I don't know Surrey at all, but I think of people and groups help you then rural isn't for you.

Woollyguru · 15/03/2025 18:26

I would 100% stay in the city. So much more to do right on your doorstep, good public transport.

We've had friends who moved further out and have to drive their DC everywhere. You might not mind it but I was quite pleased when mine were old enough to get the bus/train/tube by themselves and I think they liked the independence too.

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 18:39

4 dc? no way do you want rural! You need footpaths/shops around the corner.

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 18:40

I lived in Wandsworth most of my life & you get very used to things on your doorstep I would never swap that for a bigger house where I have to drive to everything.

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 18:41

if you want good schools what about areas that border Surrey?

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 18:42

eg Worcester Park, New Malden, Kingston?

Yellowtulipsdancing · 15/03/2025 18:50

Would your children be in catchment for the state schools you want in this rural house?

Original poster
palmtreessunshine · 15/03/2025 19:23

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 18:41

if you want good schools what about areas that border Surrey?

Oh like which ones? Sorry we’ve just heard surrey for good schools

OP posts:
Original poster
palmtreessunshine · 15/03/2025 19:23

Yellowtulipsdancing · 15/03/2025 18:50

Would your children be in catchment for the state schools you want in this rural house?

Yes- it’s a 10 min drive. To be fair it’s “rural” but also 10 mins in either direction to Epsom or ashtead

OP posts:
CarshaltonMum · 15/03/2025 19:23

It's a tricky decision. We drive quite a bit but we walk to school. I grew up nearby and my mum drove me around loads. She drove us to secondary school and to meet friends. On the occasions she wasn't available it was a bit tricky.

You obviously get more for your money and the might enjoy the peace, but you will be driving lots. That could get annoying when juggling the needs of 4 kids.

Original poster
palmtreessunshine · 15/03/2025 19:24

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 18:42

eg Worcester Park, New Malden, Kingston?

These were the areas we originally started looking in- my in laws are in Kingston, but the prices have shot up.

new Malden has some very nice parts but I haven’t found any available houses there yet.

very good shout though- thank you for the reminder

OP posts:
CarshaltonMum · 15/03/2025 19:30

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/69647169

Carshalton might be an option. A range of 4 beds near your max budget. Maybe not quite as nice an area as Epsom and more suburban. You do need to consider which secondaries you would aim for too.

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 19:50

Are you catholic?

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 19:56

I went to school in Wimbledon so still have friends in those areas & funnily you should say that as my colleague is looking in Worcester Park & she is struggling as prices have jumped. I think people have been pushed from New Malden (which has also jumped) & just more Hong Kongers in general. She has just expanded her search to Stoneleigh/Ewell as I think she is unsure if she will get WP now. That was her preferred option because of the schools & she wanted to live minutes from the shops/station. You also have the grammar options if you are that way.

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 19:58

I thought the trouble with Carshalton was that if you didn't get a grammar your only very good school option was Harris which has a small catchment? A friend lives her and tutored like crazy for the grammars. It's a nice area with nice housing stock but personally I prefer being closer to Wimbledon/Kingston direction for shopping/eating out vs Sutton/Croydon.

Gunz · 15/03/2025 20:16

I would be very wary of living semi rurally with 4 children. I had three children and it was fine when they were primary age as everything was in the village. When they got to secondary school they were in schools in another town. Ended up being a taxi service for around 10 years - school runs twice a day, meeting up with friends, sporting events, nights out the list was endless.

Original poster
palmtreessunshine · 15/03/2025 20:35

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 19:50

Are you catholic?

Yes we are- we are aiming for Catholic primary and secondary schools wherever we live

OP posts:
loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 21:01

Ok so you have good options in Surrey & can access the New Malden catholic secondaries from there or WP. I think in Surrey you need to be in a primary feeder but more scope in London to move to catholic secondary as long as you have your priest stamp.

CarshaltonMum · 16/03/2025 17:43

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 19:58

I thought the trouble with Carshalton was that if you didn't get a grammar your only very good school option was Harris which has a small catchment? A friend lives her and tutored like crazy for the grammars. It's a nice area with nice housing stock but personally I prefer being closer to Wimbledon/Kingston direction for shopping/eating out vs Sutton/Croydon.

The schools are improving - Greenshaw is popular and Oaks Park is becoming popular. St Phils is great if you have girls. Maybe not as good as in some other areas.

I agree with you on the eating out front. Some nice restaurants but we sometimes go to Wimbledon for more choice.

But all this is reflected in the prices and you get more house for your money, so depends on the compromise you choose to make.

Original poster
palmtreessunshine · 17/03/2025 07:09

loadalaundry · 15/03/2025 19:56

I went to school in Wimbledon so still have friends in those areas & funnily you should say that as my colleague is looking in Worcester Park & she is struggling as prices have jumped. I think people have been pushed from New Malden (which has also jumped) & just more Hong Kongers in general. She has just expanded her search to Stoneleigh/Ewell as I think she is unsure if she will get WP now. That was her preferred option because of the schools & she wanted to live minutes from the shops/station. You also have the grammar options if you are that way.

This is exactly right- we were looking in those areas as well because my husband grew up in Kingston and his family and friends are in that area but we’ve been priced out

OP posts:
loadalaundry · 17/03/2025 08:26

you would defo get something for 750k but probably not 4 bedrooms.

MollyButton · 17/03/2025 08:31

If you are Catholic I would consider North Guildford, as you should get into St Peter’s for secondary. And the prices are much lower. Good communications.