Esher v Weybridge v Walton on Thames
Discussion
We've got 2 boys (2.5 years and newly born) and it looks like I might need to relocate to Surrey to be closer to work.
We'd like to stay close to London as lots of our friends are still there and Esher, Weybridge and Walton on Thames seem to look good on paper.
Can anyone here comment on these three and what they're like for a young family?
What's important to us is:
1. Reliable and good commute to London (Waterloo, London Bridge or Victoria)
2. State schooling
3. Some value for money (I realise that's relative!)
4. Enough stuff to allow us to go out on the odd evening have a good time locally.
Thank you all.
We'd like to stay close to London as lots of our friends are still there and Esher, Weybridge and Walton on Thames seem to look good on paper.
Can anyone here comment on these three and what they're like for a young family?
What's important to us is:
1. Reliable and good commute to London (Waterloo, London Bridge or Victoria)
2. State schooling
3. Some value for money (I realise that's relative!)
4. Enough stuff to allow us to go out on the odd evening have a good time locally.
Thank you all.
It depends on where you want to live in those areas, there are some parts of Walton that are nice and there are parts that aren’t very nice. Esher is nice but the only part of esher that’s affordable - ish (we’re talking under 600k) is quite a way from the station which is nearer to Mosley than esher it self. It’s also near a council estate which has birthed some trouble makers. I know because I have friends who went to Esher High school who know people from that estate.
Weybridge is nice however the train line is completely different and there are a lot of stops before you get to London unless you stop at Surbiton and get on the express train from there straight to Waterloo which I believe is 15 minutes.
I suggest, Cobham, Oxshott, Fetcham or Bookham. Very nice areas, not many rough patches, no one way systems and traffic lights, lots of pubs and near the A3/M25.
Weybridge is nice however the train line is completely different and there are a lot of stops before you get to London unless you stop at Surbiton and get on the express train from there straight to Waterloo which I believe is 15 minutes.
I suggest, Cobham, Oxshott, Fetcham or Bookham. Very nice areas, not many rough patches, no one way systems and traffic lights, lots of pubs and near the A3/M25.
Chestrockwell said:
It depends on where you want to live in those areas, there are some parts of Walton that are nice and there are parts that aren’t very nice. Esher is nice but the only part of esher that’s affordable - ish (we’re talking under 600k) is quite a way from the station which is nearer to Mosley than esher it self. It’s also near a council estate which has birthed some trouble makers. I know because I have friends who went to Esher High school who know people from that estate.
Weybridge is nice however the train line is completely different and there are a lot of stops before you get to London unless you stop at Surbiton and get on the express train from there straight to Waterloo which I believe is 15 minutes.
I suggest, Cobham, Oxshott, Fetcham or Bookham. Very nice areas, not many rough patches, no one way systems and traffic lights, lots of pubs and near the A3/M25.
Hi and thank you for such a quick reply. We're fortunate that we can stretch our budget to closer to 7 figures, so hopefully we'll get a little more choice.Weybridge is nice however the train line is completely different and there are a lot of stops before you get to London unless you stop at Surbiton and get on the express train from there straight to Waterloo which I believe is 15 minutes.
I suggest, Cobham, Oxshott, Fetcham or Bookham. Very nice areas, not many rough patches, no one way systems and traffic lights, lots of pubs and near the A3/M25.
What's the commute from Cobham, Oxshott, etc like in real life? I understand they are further out that the 3 places I cited?
Also, in terms of state schools, the best primary school I know/have heard of is Royal Kent in oxshott, it’s very small and each year group has one class but a lot of people in my nephews primary school have their kids on the waiting list to join it. If you live in Oxshott, I think it’s different though.
I don’t know enough about the schools in the area’s you mentioned apart from Esher High School so I can’t comment.
I also forgot to mention Claygate, also a very nice area
I don’t know enough about the schools in the area’s you mentioned apart from Esher High School so I can’t comment.
I also forgot to mention Claygate, also a very nice area
Moved to Cobham (Stoke D’Abernon end) 2 years ago. 3.5yo and 1yo so similar situation.
I walk to/from and commute from Cobham Stoke d’Abernon station daily. Aside from this month trains run half hourly generally, with extra ‘faster’ trains in the morning rush. Get the 07h24 and always have a seat. Typically 40 mins ish to Waterloo. I hop off at Vauxhall though for better tube connection. (Cobham is last on the line in terms of Oxshott and Claygate)
Hinchley Wood/Claygate/Oxshott/Cobham are on the Guildford (London Rd) sub-urban Line which is a stopping service generally.
Esher/ Hersham/Walton-o-t/Weybridge are on the ‘faster’ inter-city line than runs through Woking so it’s a faster commute but what we found was that unless you lived either near the line or paid extortionate money your commute time to the line didn’t compensate for the train time saving (not to mention potential parking costs)
Schools
Royal Kent is good in Oxshott, St Andrews Catholic in Leatherhead also heard good things, Hinchley Wood also, as then there is Cobham Free School which has been a success.
‘Feel’
Obviously subjective but this is how I see the various areas:
Oxshott - leafy and quite disconnected in parts. Chosen for the expensive housing estates and access to private schools in the area. Access to station can be via the heath which can make for a nice but sometimes muddy commute. Also not particularly socially diverse.
Cobham - leafy as well but more urban than Oxshott (it has a proper high street, 2 supermarkets (Waitrose and Sainsbury’s) but equally feels more socially balanced than Oxshott
Claygate - more akin to outer-London suburb than the others generally less expensive with the A3 hugging the outskirts more closely and access a bit more tricky. Some really good schools nearby though and good value properties
Esher - more divided socially than the previous. High street and supermarket experience akin to cobham however also more spread out. Esher good for evenings with a cinema and range of good restaurants
Hope that helps.
I walk to/from and commute from Cobham Stoke d’Abernon station daily. Aside from this month trains run half hourly generally, with extra ‘faster’ trains in the morning rush. Get the 07h24 and always have a seat. Typically 40 mins ish to Waterloo. I hop off at Vauxhall though for better tube connection. (Cobham is last on the line in terms of Oxshott and Claygate)
Hinchley Wood/Claygate/Oxshott/Cobham are on the Guildford (London Rd) sub-urban Line which is a stopping service generally.
Esher/ Hersham/Walton-o-t/Weybridge are on the ‘faster’ inter-city line than runs through Woking so it’s a faster commute but what we found was that unless you lived either near the line or paid extortionate money your commute time to the line didn’t compensate for the train time saving (not to mention potential parking costs)
Schools
Royal Kent is good in Oxshott, St Andrews Catholic in Leatherhead also heard good things, Hinchley Wood also, as then there is Cobham Free School which has been a success.
‘Feel’
Obviously subjective but this is how I see the various areas:
Oxshott - leafy and quite disconnected in parts. Chosen for the expensive housing estates and access to private schools in the area. Access to station can be via the heath which can make for a nice but sometimes muddy commute. Also not particularly socially diverse.
Cobham - leafy as well but more urban than Oxshott (it has a proper high street, 2 supermarkets (Waitrose and Sainsbury’s) but equally feels more socially balanced than Oxshott
Claygate - more akin to outer-London suburb than the others generally less expensive with the A3 hugging the outskirts more closely and access a bit more tricky. Some really good schools nearby though and good value properties
Esher - more divided socially than the previous. High street and supermarket experience akin to cobham however also more spread out. Esher good for evenings with a cinema and range of good restaurants
Hope that helps.
Speed.deman said:
We've got 2 boys (2.5 years and newly born) and it looks like I might need to relocate to Surrey to be closer to work.
We'd like to stay close to London as lots of our friends are still there and Esher, Weybridge and Walton on Thames seem to look good on paper.
Can anyone here comment on these three and what they're like for a young family?
What's important to us is:
1. Reliable and good commute to London (Waterloo, London Bridge or Victoria)
2. State schooling
3. Some value for money (I realise that's relative!)
4. Enough stuff to allow us to go out on the odd evening have a good time locally.
Thank you all.
1. Walton train service is better than Esher.We'd like to stay close to London as lots of our friends are still there and Esher, Weybridge and Walton on Thames seem to look good on paper.
Can anyone here comment on these three and what they're like for a young family?
What's important to us is:
1. Reliable and good commute to London (Waterloo, London Bridge or Victoria)
2. State schooling
3. Some value for money (I realise that's relative!)
4. Enough stuff to allow us to go out on the odd evening have a good time locally.
Thank you all.
2. Esher Church School is reckoned to be good, but they will want you to demonstrate that you attend Esher church.
3. That's very subjective. Esher and Weybridge are reckoned to be more up market than Walton, and therefore more expensive. How much were you thinking of paying for the house? Do a bit of Googling round the estate agents.
4. Loads of restaurants, coffee bars in Esher. Perhaps fewer in Weybridge, fewer still in Walton.
Sammy and MadMonk, thank you so much for your replies. It sounds like such a tough decision to make. I think we could just creep over 7 figures if I have a good year.
Sounds like Walton and Esher have the best commute? I guess one just has to get used to spending 1.30 hours to get to anywhere in London really?
Sounds like Walton and Esher have the best commute? I guess one just has to get used to spending 1.30 hours to get to anywhere in London really?
MYOB said:
Have you thought about Guildford? Has far more amenities than the other places you have suggested.
Seems a very long time to get into London though? We're keen to keep one leg in London, for as long as we can. I appreciate that over time this may change, so we may rent first.Yes the commute maybe a tad further. I lived in both weybridge and Walton for 4 years in total as a teenager. Lovely places but nothing there really for children, let alone everyone else.
It's all about the big fancy houses in private estates. You will find yourself getting fed up with jumping on a train to London everytime you want to see friends or socialise.
Do you actually know Surrey at all? Not sure why you have picked these places if work is in London. Nearer to London is Surbiton. Quite nice there. More places to eat and drink for a start.
It's all about the big fancy houses in private estates. You will find yourself getting fed up with jumping on a train to London everytime you want to see friends or socialise.
Do you actually know Surrey at all? Not sure why you have picked these places if work is in London. Nearer to London is Surbiton. Quite nice there. More places to eat and drink for a start.
MYOB said:
Yes the commute maybe a tad further. I lived in both weybridge and Walton for 4 years in total as a teenager. Lovely places but nothing there really for children, let alone everyone else.
It's all about the big fancy houses in private estates. You will find yourself getting fed up with jumping on a train to London everytime you want to see friends or socialise.
Do you actually know Surrey at all? Not sure why you have picked these places if work is in London. Nearer to London is Surbiton. Quite nice there. More places to eat and drink for a start.
Thanks again. No, not very knowledgeable about Surrey and trying to Google myself better. Have trips out planned, but it's a big place and not quite sure how much we'll learn on the ground. Will need a leap of faith.It's all about the big fancy houses in private estates. You will find yourself getting fed up with jumping on a train to London everytime you want to see friends or socialise.
Do you actually know Surrey at all? Not sure why you have picked these places if work is in London. Nearer to London is Surbiton. Quite nice there. More places to eat and drink for a start.
Speed.deman said:
Thanks again. No, not very knowledgeable about Surrey and trying to Google myself better. Have trips out planned, but it's a big place and not quite sure how much we'll learn on the ground. Will need a leap of faith.
Whereabouts are you now?A small point. Molesey is quite nice. There are two parts East and West. East is much better. It is right up against Hampton Court Palace, the river and all that.
Do be careful though - it is MOLESEY. Pronounced mole zee - NOT Moseley - the place near Birmingham.
Speed.deman said:
Sounds like Walton and Esher have the best commute? I guess one just has to get used to spending 1.30 hours to get to anywhere in London really?
I don’t think 1h30 is right to be honest. I have commuted to both Canary Wharf and to north London - it’s 1h30 only when the trains are delayed as well as the tube. 1h00 however is quite normal. Esher / Surbiton / Walton are definitely (a) fastest and (b) most common services as well as (c) most reliable.
However, there are of course a million other things to think about over and above the commute!
My suggestion would be to get out and drive around the areas walk the high streets and enjoy the local eateries - until you do it will only be a spreadsheet/second hand opinion
Thankyou4calling said:
Where is Tonker when we need him?
Also why are you looking at these specific areas as they are pretty pricey and £1million doesn’t go far.
I can only speak for Oxshott / Stoke D'Abernon / Cobham - but they're pricey for a reason, I live here and they are very relaxed, low crime, no litter, don't have high streets full of kebab shops & bookies, low density the sort of place where people say hello to you in the street if you're out with a baby, great schools, semi rural feel in Oxshott where you can walk on bridalways / big commons & heaths.Also why are you looking at these specific areas as they are pretty pricey and £1million doesn’t go far.
All the areas mentioned are much of a muchness on the train - 35/40 mins into Waterloo with 2ish trains an hour.
If you're used to Richmond or Wimbledon with 4-6 trains an hour that take 15 mins into waterloo then it's a step down but it's pretty manageable really IMO
Traffic is fine don't know what the fuss is about. Guildford is always busy but the rest are fine nothing to be concerned about
£1m buys a nice family house nothing flash but 3/4 bedrooms in a good street / area
Thanks again All.
Good to understand that 35-40 minutes is the acceptable journey time. Helps me appreciate that that is the norm.
Jakesmith - your description does sound like what we're looking for. We're not moving for more space so a reasonable house is fine as our flat in NW3 is 1500 sq feet. I'm sure we could get bigger than what we have from the sale of our flat.
Good to understand that 35-40 minutes is the acceptable journey time. Helps me appreciate that that is the norm.
Jakesmith - your description does sound like what we're looking for. We're not moving for more space so a reasonable house is fine as our flat in NW3 is 1500 sq feet. I'm sure we could get bigger than what we have from the sale of our flat.
I live a 20 min walk (5mins on a push bike) from Walton on Thames station and it's a 55min door to door commute to my office on the Strand. Mind you I only do public transport when I know I'm going to be drinking otherwise it's 50mins on the motorbike.
We use Esher, Weybridge and WOT for eating out entertainment etc. Plenty for the kids to do, loads of walks and most importantly very little riff raff. You can actually go to a cinema and expect reasonable behaviour, even from the youfs.
Loads of nice restaurants and pubs as well as the usual chains
Elmbridge consistently ranks highly in the "best places to live" list.
Used to live in Twickenham but the traffic just ground me down eventually and I wanted a house with a garage and felt outside of the M25 was just a step too far at the time. Have to say the traffic is getting worse over the last 15yrs but we're a short hop to the A3 which gives a pretty rapid exit to the true countryside.
I think it's a nice mix of urban and small town. 2mins down the road we have a Waitrose and a Lidil. Best of both world eh!
We use Esher, Weybridge and WOT for eating out entertainment etc. Plenty for the kids to do, loads of walks and most importantly very little riff raff. You can actually go to a cinema and expect reasonable behaviour, even from the youfs.
Loads of nice restaurants and pubs as well as the usual chains
Elmbridge consistently ranks highly in the "best places to live" list.
Used to live in Twickenham but the traffic just ground me down eventually and I wanted a house with a garage and felt outside of the M25 was just a step too far at the time. Have to say the traffic is getting worse over the last 15yrs but we're a short hop to the A3 which gives a pretty rapid exit to the true countryside.
I think it's a nice mix of urban and small town. 2mins down the road we have a Waitrose and a Lidil. Best of both world eh!
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