Where to live in Surrey?

[firsttime12]

Hi, I'm just looking for any advice on where to move to in Surrey with our 6 month old. Husband works in Waterloo and would be commuting. So far I like the sound of Weybridge, Cobham, Walton and basically those places that make up Elmsbridge. Any recommendations? And best for nurseries and state schools? We would really like to be near some great parks and walks and not too far from a station. Any help would be wonderful!

Woking

you need to be in walking distance of a station if commuting due to horrific traffic.

East Molesey is about 25 mins walk to Hampton Court at the West Molesey end. Ticks all your other boxes too; make the palace gardens your regular Sunday stroll.

40 mins on the train to Waterloo, and your husband will quickly get the hang of the Surbiton shuffle; if you miss the Hampton Court train get the next fast one to Surbiton and it will catch up. They always used to hold the HC train until the fast one had arrived. Hopefully they still do.

ps not what I call rural though!!

One stop up the Hampton Court - Waterloo line you will find Thames Ditton. Still has a bit of a village feel. Surrounded by commons (especially the Weston Green side) and walking distance of TD station and, depending where you live, Esher and Hinchley Wood stations.

oh yes, even nicer. With prices to match!

BTW check flooding issues round here. But I love Thames Ditton.

I also love Thames Ditton.

Have you considered Effingham/ Bookham? Trains from Effingham jn 40mins to Waterloo and lovely countryside around. Good local village schools.

Weybridge is lovely but very pricy. Houses get (slightly) more affordable if you go a little further out. Woking is nice, and if you go one stop further out to Brookwood there are lovely villages and your DH can cycle to the station in around 10 mins (parking is a nightmare so driving in might not be the best plan). But, Woking's state secondaries are a bit shit so I wouldn't live there unless you're planning to go private. We're moving away from Woking to Cambridgeshire next week and one of the main reasons for going is the schools here.

For proximity to train you need Bookham, Effingham, Horsley or Clandon

You could consider West Byfleet/New Haw/Pyrford. They are all close to West Byfleet train station which has a direct service to Waterloo. Trains take 40 mins in morning rush and 25 mins in the evening. The state schools are very good with a selection of great primaries (The Grange/New Haw Junior, West Byfleet Infant/Junior, The Marist Catholic Primary, Pyrford C of E Primary) and good comprehensive secondary at Fullbrook.

Cheaper than Weybridge/Cobham which both have WAG factor and with a bit of a rural feel - I ran 10 miles through countryside at the weekend without going on the road.