Oxted & surrounding Surrey area

[buntybanana]

Does anyone live around this area? We're making the move from London to Oxted. Anyone have any pros and cons?

Hello! I'm bumping for you as I am also considering a move to Oxted with my two year old

@WhereTheFuck

Hello! I'm bumping for you as I am also considering a move to Oxted with my two year old

Brilliant! Are you coming from London too? Looks like a gorgeous area.

Oxted itself is not rural, just a small town. Reasonable commute to London and access to M25.

No, i have actually been living in China for the last six years! It does look lovely but would definitely like to hear from some people who live there

I don't live there, but have friends who do.

Which part of Oxted? Old Oxted or the other part?

I think it's lovely, but it does depend where you're going to be going to work (assuming that you are!). Trains to London aren't always that frequent, especially during the day.

@WhereTheFuck

No, i have actually been living in China for the last six years! It does look lovely but would definitely like to hear from some people who live there

Amazing! I hope you find your perfect place.

@BIWI

I don't live there, but have friends who do.

Which part of Oxted? Old Oxted or the other part?

I think it's lovely, but it does depend where you're going to be going to work (assuming that you are!). Trains to London aren't always that frequent, especially during the day.

Old Oxted! I'll be getting the Victoria train twice a week and WFH the other three days. I've heard southern rail is pretty bad.

If you'll need to commute check the train times as they've slaughtered the timetable since Covid.

It's a nice area, good cafes/restaurants and a Waitrose and Morrisons. Lovely farm shops nearby too. The pool was a godsend when the DC's were little (disclaimer I don't live there but about 20 min drive away)

Only 2 direct trains an hour to Victoria, if you were to be leaving around either 7 or 8am. So you'd need to factor that in - no idea how busy they are.

Yes the pool is great, really good for kids as it’s a sort of sloping lagoon type pool. The cinema is cool too, small with big comfy chairs and good cafe.

It’s a nice area for sure, good countryside all around. My friend lives there, and the one downside according to him is it’s quite competitive ie money oriented, people can be quite materialistic.

Oxted (and Hurst Green) have a wide economic range and housing. Schools generally well regarded although some travel to Caterham , Warlingham or Redhill for secondary rather than Oxted School. High Street with cafes and smaller chain and independent shops. Large park too with buggy fitness and exercise groups.

@Lonelycrab

Yes the pool is great, really good for kids as it’s a sort of sloping lagoon type pool. The cinema is cool too, small with big comfy chairs and good cafe.

It’s a nice area for sure, good countryside all around. My friend lives there, and the one downside according to him is it’s quite competitive ie money oriented, people can be quite materialistic.

Yes that's quite true @Lonelycrab - not many left-leaning types there at all! I think my friends are probably the only ones

There's also a great beer festival, in Master Park, which runs every year although because of Covid it's been postponed until 1-3 July 2022 , and also The Oxted Sessions local theatre, comedy and culture.

Also the Barn Theatre is a community performing arts venue

Yes, that's where the Oxted sessions tend to take place.

Thank you for all your responses! Very helpful.

@BIWI I'm a leftie too, glad to know there's at least a few others there!

Well one good thing about old Oxted is you have loads of pubs to choose from

Unlike Oxted itself which only has one, the spoons by the station...

There is a gin bar though @Lonelycrab!

@Lonelycrab yes quite a few pubs in walking distance - sounds good to me!

Hi @buntybanana did you end up moving there? We are moving there in a few months from London and would welcome your thoughts!!

Hi @LuciennM ! We did and we love it. We have great neighbours, most people are friendly and the surrounding areas are beautiful. We do hear residents complain about the recent increase in anti social behaviour, but I haven't experienced anything awful and it's very quiet in comparison to London.

I don't know if you have kids or not, but I have also heard complaints about Oxted school. It appears to be that most people we know send their kids to private schools - Caterham or Lingfield.

There are fantastic restaurants in Oxted - I would really recommend the tapas and wine bar at the top of the high street and the Nepalese near it. New Japanese place I haven't tried yet also! The Bell in Old Oxted is under new management and very warm and friendly. Enjoy and let me know if you have any further questions !! X

Thanks so much for coming back to me @buntybanana 😀
all sounds great then!
We have primary aged kids and are thinking St Mary’s for primary. Any thoughts on that one?
I have heard the same about Oxted school, but the new ofsted looks good and I am hoping might still improve by the time our kids to there ! X

@LuciennM no worries at all! 😃 glad I could help. St Mary's looks excellent - we don't have kids yet but we're planning on TTC in the new year and have briefly looked at the primary schools - Mary's would 100% be my choice. I've heard good things.

I really enjoy it here and I hope you will too 😃

@LuciennM have you moved to Oxted yet? I grew up there, it is a lovely place and as I teen it's great to get into London from. My parents still live there so I'm there with my kids fairly often. St Mary's is an excellent school, was when I went and still is. Oxted school was rating outstanding when I started and got worse as I went through and I wouldn't rate it, but this was a while ago now