Esher v Weybridge v Walton on Thames

[Speed.deman]

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.

[Speed.deman]

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.

What's the commute from Cobham, Oxshott, etc like in real life? I understand they are further out that the 3 places I cited?

[Speed.deman]

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?

[Speed.deman]

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.

[Speed.deman]

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.

[Speed.deman]

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.

[Speed.deman]

rah1888 said:

Geographically it's a little further down the A3, but in terms of time sat on a train there's hardly anything in it.

I anticipate that on weekends, we'd likely to drive to London with two small kids. So, I think the distance will probably be a factor as well.

[Speed.deman]

Woody.GTJ said:

The trains at Weybridge and Walton are every 15 mins at least. Every other train at peak times is fast therefore its 30 mins for a fast train and 40 mins for the slower. Likewise Esher although it doesn't have the fast train.

Essentially when you live in any of these areas though, you will drive everywhere so you may do a big shop at Tescos in Weybridge, go to Next in Walton, eat out in Cobham and go to cinema in Esher. They're all 10-15 mins drive.
Don't worry about proximity to station as they all have big station car parks where you get yearly permits

Thanks very much. Good info about those trains.

Appreciate that lots drive to stations, but is traffic and finding a space an issue during rush hour?

[Speed.deman]

fido said:

Without knowing your budget - any reason why you're not looking further into London? I love Esher but if you're going to be travelling into London alot then train is king (even during the current strike). There's a 5/6 bed detached near me (short walk to Zone 4 station) for sale just over a million - in Esher that will get you a 3 bed semi-detached and you'll be driving everywhere.

Sounds great, but my understanding is the free state schooling isn't as good closer to London? Zone 4 sounds ace.

[Speed.deman]

Thank you all again. I think I do need to set a parameter, so I think max 35 minutes on the train is probably a sensible thing.

We're going to rent first, so we may well change this going forward when we finally buy.

So, the million dollar question is where you guys think a good introduction to Surrey life is?