Leads for Great areas to stay in near RGS Guildford

[petitescargot852]

We will be relocating next year from Asia for my son’s education at RGS- having just confirmed the offer acceptance! Very excited and would love to hear what are great places to stay in near the school! Only criteria is we should be able to drive there on 15-20 mins or have public transport for about 30 mins! Would like to be near the hustle and bustle and all creature comforts being a Londoner at heart and only ever lived in big cities! Safety would be a priority and connectivity too! Any leads greatly appreciated! Also what is the healthcare situation like in the GU postcode?
many thanks!!

Where if anywhere will you be working?

It is probably better to be within walking distance or use train(London Road) as traffic can be heavy and kids tend to go independently to secondary school. Guildford is not really a hustle and bustle type place though!

What is your budget? Guildford isn't a big city with hustle and bustle

@petitescargot852 , Surbiton is 31ish mins on a train to London Road so you could live within a short walk of Surbiton station. You won't need to drive to the school that often.

Thank you @tennissquare - will look into that. Some folks suggested Godalming, Woking, Cobham among other suggestions. Any thoughts?

sorry to jump on this post @petitescargot852 ; first congratulations for your son's place at RGS. we have repatriated from the gulf too.

Question for existing parents, we are looking to move to Grayshott/Hindhead/Haslemere and we both work. what are the school hours for drop off and collection?

Are there groups of children who travel as far as above?

Born and breed Guildford, now living in London. Do you have a rough budget? This will make a huge difference as to the areas I would recommend.

None of them are very cosmopolitan. Godalming is nice enough. Woking very mixed areas and council is broke! Farnham also worth a look. What budget do you have, could you not look at Guildford itself?

Woking the only benefit lots fast trains to Waterloo including the evening. It’s a dump if not.

Godalming town centre lots of charity shops and coffee shops. Even more relaxed place than Guildford (quite sleepy)

Cobham is nice a cash rich area.

Do you have any other children to consider / schools. How many bedrooms? What’s your budget? Need a big garden? Swimming pool / horses etc or is it a town pad your after

Thanks @Toocoldnow I have another child starting university so that’s not a constraint. Looking for a reasonably big space with at least 3 bedrooms. Budget- it’s around £4500 pcm. Will have a dog so need outdoor space and parking!

@tennissquare yes Guildford appeals as well. Keeping all options open and planning to visit soon to research the areas. I like the idea of Surbiton as most of my friends are in the Wimbledon Putney Richmond area. I work from home so not constrained by commute but like to be able to travel to London easily!

@Gumps thinking around £4500 pcm but can be flexible for the right property! Need min 3 bedrooms, garden, parking and an overall sense of space!!!

The location of Cobham / Stoke D'Aberon train station makes it very car based if you live around there.

A bit of time on Right Move / Google earth plus south west trains timetable will help.

I would agree on avoid Woking.

@OccasionalHope working from home so not a constraint! Do need good connections to London and A3 access though!!

@LIZS @Gumps yes walking distance would be ideal! Would be great to know where to avoid in Guildford ! Budget can stretch to £5000 pcm!

Most private day secondary schools are 0845-1600 with some sports matches on Saturdays. Schools near train stations like RGS/Guildford High have most dc travelling by train. Schools like St George's Weybridge or Churchers college have a coach network too. St Catherine's Bramley and Tormead also have a school coach network.

Boarding schools like Charterhouse with day pupils may have a longer day.

Guildford is very busy at pick up time. If at all possible, your DS should be able to walk or take the train. He can come into Guildford Main and walk up or into London Road Guildford.

SWR is a shitshow of a train company, though Labour is taking it in-house in March. Nonetheless, it is worth factoring in that there will be a train meltdown several times a term, so you may need to drive your son in then (making surbiton rather far)

Also bear in mind that you have to drive your son to home games on Saturdays (at Bradstone Brook/Broadwater) and to some away games (new policy this year)

I would prioritise your ds's commute to school above other concerns. If you want urban rather than a village then Guildford is a good a place as any.

I would say walking distance from the town itself…. Or on the train line to the north east of Guildford. Many boys take the train. If you can possibly get what you want within a short walk of town, I would say this is best. The area to the south of Guildford towards shalford and the chantries is very nice. Or merrow is a popular area for families and a little cheaper. He could get the bus in from Merrow.

For Guildford itself, most areas are lovely, but I'd avoid Park Barn.

great sensible and rational advice thank you

Not remotely current, but 35-40 years ago we lived in hindhead and DB was at RGS. DM was in a car pool with other parents from the area but with more working full time that might be less of an option nowadays. ISTR it was about 20-30 mins drive.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/156530792#/?channel=RES_LET

Walking distance.......For example

Live in Guildford. There are some stunning areas near the centre but walking distance to gorgeous countryside. Your children as they become teenagers will be spending so much time in the city itself, either at after school clubs or seeing friends.
Commuter route pretty towns and villages like Cobham, Oxshott or Claygate are lively but you will spend your life ferrying them to and from activities.