Plan for a move to Surrey

[JLKL]

Hi all,
We are planning to move to Surrey and would love to hear some recommendations on which town/school we should explore for better chance to enter a good or above secondary state school? Our son is now studying in Year 3 and we would like to start planning ahead especially if we are thinking about buying a house there. It would be perfect if the location could allow a max of 60 mins commute time to London.
Thanks

What about Farnborough? I know the sixth form college there is excellent (warning - lots of the non-catholic non-independent schools around Surrey don’t have sixth forms, so for secondary it’s worth considering the good sixth form colleges too). Fast train to Waterloo as well.

In order to get a place at Weydon, you need to be in a feeder primary - there are about 5, so not a huge issue but you just need to make sure if you moved to Farnham, you got an in year place at one of them. This is definitely possible as I know friends who have done it.

What about Addlestone? www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/property-news/rejuvenated-surrey-town-two-miles-25225070

Cheam - much leafier than Sutton but access to great schools in Sutton and Cheam High is highly regarded.

Does it need to be Surrey, why not West Sussex, somewhere like Horsham or the surrounding villages, more for your money and 1 hour or less to London, good schools too.

You won’t buy a nice family home in Sutton with £500k anyway. But secondary schools in Sutton are really good.

Cheam - much leafier than Sutton but access to great schools in Sutton and Cheam High is highly regarded.

Isn't Cheam in Sutton? I was thinking of there when I suggested it.

Admittedly I don't know the area well but this is 500k

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126650384#/?channel=RES_BUY

Don’t get me wrong. I totally recommend Sutton schools and area. Good access to central London and great schools. If she just need 2 beds, she’ll find something but I have been 2 years trying to get a decent size 3 bed house on that budget. There’s not enough offer and close to grammars is going to be a challenge.

@Talipesmum , o.. yes..Farnborough! Thanks for the advice about sixth form! I always think its quite far away for us from now (still Year 3) but its always good to plan further ahead cos time fliessss

Thanks a lot @Firenze12 ! Will take a look at Farnham! Frankly speaking, I’ve not been to most of these recommended towns … its time to get prepare a list and plan for some visits there

@PhilistineWazzock thanks and yes! I did put Addlestone on my shortlist too.

Addlestone is more affordable and the regeneration of the town centre is really very good.

For Secondary schools you'd have the choice of Chertsey High, Fullbrook and probably Bishop David Brown. All good schools. All quite different from each other but you could decide which best suited you

Chertsey as a place to live might be within your budget too.

@monkeysmum21 the 3 beds are much bigger than the ones in my part of SW London! I thought the Sutton grammars didn't have catchments.

They don’t but thinking about commuting as 2 boys and 1 girls grammars are in Wallington area.
About houses… most of the 3 bed I have viewed had 2 decent rooms and a 3rd one just suitable for office or a baby. For a decent family home, I’d say you need 600k in Sutton, particularly in areas of easy commute to grammar. I personally don’t like North Cheam or Carshalton.

Cheam sits outside of sutton town between Sutton and Ewell.

It's a separate 'village' in its own right but the boundaries are probably blurring a bit. I think address wise you might say Cheam, Sutton, Surrey SM2xxxx
But it's not the same place

Thanks @Anniefrenchfry Never think about West Sussex or Horsham. But i think with my limited budget it should be considered!!

@myexisawanker but it's in the borough isn't it? I live in Wandsworth but I don't live in Wandsworth town

Honestly for a family home you won't get much in most parts of Surrey for £500k. Certainly not in any of the good school catchment areas.
Longer term we're moving out of Surrey due to prices and are considering West Sussex and Kent.

They don’t but thinking about commuting as 2 boys and 1 girls grammars are in Wallington area.

It's not that far though is it? I have school friends who went to Sutton grammars & places like Trinity. I myself commuted to Wimbledon, I always think it's normal for London secondaries but maybe that's just based on my experiences.

About houses… most of the 3 bed I have viewed had 2 decent rooms and a 3rd one just suitable for office or a baby

Yes that's true, same for 3 beds in my area. But you don't get off-street parking or large gardens. I have friends in Cheam, Worcester Park & Carshalton & they all have a lot more house & garden for the money.

The friend who moved to Worcester Park is in the catchment for 2 good state secondaries I believe but I think they paid about 800k.

Also bear in mind that few Surrey secondary schools have defined catchments. The distance of the furthest pupil admitted can vary year on year and a new housing development can affect those slightly further away,

It's is in the borough I believe.

Not sure that was the question. Maybe I missed it.

Not sure why you need to present a tone in your response.

I wasn't consciously having a tone & don't intend to have one. It was just my reasoning, eg when I first posted about looking in Sutton I meant the borough.