Moving to Haslemere / Surrey

[Lucyh1989]

Hi all, I’m looking at moving from London to Haslemere for the usual reasons - more countryside, slower pace of life etc. Would love some advice / thoughts about Haslemere.

Is it a friendly town? Does it have a commuter town feeling? I’d like somewhere friendly with a community and opportunity to meet new people. I’m late thirties with no children. So I know this might be slightly ironic place to be posting :) but it’s a great place for advice, just want to know if it’s very family focused and if I would be ‘out of place’ without children or harder to make friends. Don’t want to be somewhere as busy or big as Guildford.

I’ve also looked at Farnham which I liked but thought it was quite sprawling and houses can be far to walk to the town or station.

Any other recommendations of small towns with pretty high street, few shops and restaurants etc would be appreciated if I am missing good places nearby! Looked at Godalming but not sure why just didn’t like the vibe as much there.
Thanks in advance

What was it you didn’t like about Godalming? What makes Haslemere preferable?

Yes it’s friendly with a community feel. Perhaps look at the Haslemere Community Board Facebook site. Whilst there are a lot of families and demographic is more 35-60,there are plenty of things to get stuck into. Walking groups, tennis club, book club, cinema/local theatre, rock choir, volunteering groups. Lots of dogs and a great base for gorgeous walks but not big on nightlife beyond usual pubs. Would you commute? It’s expensive but you do get a seat.

Thanks for your message, that’s reassuring. Yes I’d be happy to try some new clubs / groups. Also looking at getting a dog so looking forward to having more countryside! No, luckily don’t need to commute but nice to be able to get into London occasionally.

I think I preferred Haslemere as felt slightly more rural / in the country than Godalming which I liked the high street but not surrounding areas as much.

I would say Haslemere is very family orientated. It's very Surrey and has a fair amount of keeping up with the joneses. There are some extremely substantial properties in the surrounding areas of Haslemere which attracts a certain type of person. The High Street is pretty but I question how useful some of the shops actually are. The pubs and restaurants are limited within Haslemere itself.
You mention that you think Farnham is spread out - it is. But so is Haslemere.
There's a small amount of roads near the high street, Wey Hill, Shottermill and Camelsdale.

I would also look at:
Godalming - I know you said you weren't keen though
Farnham - good option
Dorking - have you considered/looked here?
Reigate - similar to above

You could also look at Petersfield slightly further down the A3 from Haslemere.
It's more rural than Haslemere but does have a slightly older profile as well.

I get that Guildford may be too big for you.

What is your budget and where in London do you currently live? Only asking as I think it does make a difference in places that can be suggested.
I'm ex SW London of over 33 years now living in Petersfield.

@Kipperandarthur how are you finding Petersfield after being a Londoner for so long? Hope you’re adjusting..maybe it’s a relief?!

I grew up in Haslemere and love going back to visit. I would have been happy to move back in my solo 30s.

It's also close enough to Guildford for shopping and more restaurants and entertainment etc.

Good luck!

I'm still adjusting to life in Petersfield after nearly 7 years here!

I moved when I was 54 having lived in SW London since 21 and Beckenham before that where I was born.

Lots that I love, but honestly I do still miss London and think I always will. Having said that I sometimes wonder if I would even fit back into London again.
I definitely miss TFL, the array of opportunities that London has, its connectivity and the general vibe.

@Kipperandarthur I can imagine! You can take the girl out of London, but you can’t take London out of the girl! Hats off to you for moving though, I’m still in London and dithering about leaving for somewhere cleaner and less crowded, but so used to London I’m afraid of the leap. You’ve done well!

Thanks so much everyone for comment. I will definitely have to check it out again for a bit longer and maybe visit Godalming and Farnham again. Yes Petersfield looks lovely was worried it is a bit too far south but at least has the train.
Budget about £900,000 to £1m.
I currently live in SW London too ( earlsfield). Can imagine it is an adjustment - I think I’ll miss Deliveroo options the most haha!

I know I it’s not what you asked, but I’d stay in London 100%! London is the best. I moved out 20 years ago and I miss it every single day. Nowhere compares!

I also moved from Earlsfield down to Petersfield.

Seriously consider what you actually want and how rural you really want to be. It's a very, very different life.

I would take another look at both Godalming and Farnham and also with your budget consider Reigate.

With this budget I would consider Surbiton too- you will take a hit on house size but there is more going on and closer to London etc.

Surbiton isn't a bad shout either, but is it worth moving from say Earlsfield just a bit further down the line?

If you aren't going to go that far I would say Reigate is much much nicer.

Ha e you considered Weybridge?