Farnham is indeed popular among SW Londoners, and it has that lovely countryside feel too. If you’re open to other areas, consider Guildford or Woking—they both have great schools and are within easy reach of London.

When we moved, we found it really helpful to use getmanandvan.co.uk. They made the whole process so much smoother, especially with kids in tow. And yes, moving before your eldest turns 7 is wise—getting them settled in school early can make a big difference.

We’ve moved to Farnham and love it.

Our kids are primary and secondary and the schools are great and lots of community stuff going on.

I think in pre-teen and early teen being out of London works best as they have more independence. I don’t worry about them hanging out in town on their own etc.

I don’t know about the teen years for certain because we aren’t there yet but I think compared to the risks in London and all the posts about kids being mugged by other kids I prefer a bit boring for them!

My daughters friends In Clapham junction seem to be growing up way faster than here & not really in a good way

    

Don’t go!! It may be at the moment while your kids are still little that moving out looks appealing but when your kids are teenagers they will have absolutely no interest in country walks. In London they become self-sufficient, using public transport or Ubers (late at night) to get around. Wandsworth Common is the epicentre of teenage gatherings. By the time they leave for Uni they are super confident and well able to take care of themselves and more importantly you haven’t become a taxi service. We thought about moving out when our kids were little and I’m glad we didn’t. I lived in the suburbs as a kid and had the most boring teenage years imagineable!!

We moved to South Farnham a few years ago. We focused on schools. State schools are great (Primary & Secondary) but you need to in catchments / feeder schools etc.

We chose based on schools but wanted a town with a lot going on. Farnham does have more of a country vibe (first purchase was a fabulous pair of warm winter boots - no heals!) but also there is so much going on. Most weekends there seems is an event in the centre: carnival, summer concerts, food festival, duck race, fireworks etc. Lots of people here have moved out of London and we have found it incredibly friendly, never really felt new. I was happy to have a quieter life with less socialising but there’s a lot going on here, I haven’t slowed down.

A lot of people commute in. It’s a relaxed commute and we always get a seat. My eldest daughter misses Southside and the lovely wide pavements of SW London. Husband I miss the huge choice of restaurants in SW London.

We employed Mel Ingle to advise on schools etc for our move. This helped to focus us. I still love SW London - this set the bar very high for moving out. I wouldn’t say you get a better life moving out - it’s just swapping some benefits for others. My teenager plans to move back to SW London after university.

Move to Reigate.
It’s great . we have not looked back.

We have a 2 great high streets with a park in the centre of town.
Amazing restaurant, great independent coffee shops, We also have a Gail’s , Space NK and a Sweaty Betty.. Gorgeous independent shops such as Gerrards. Bars and restaurants , great for nights out and walking home .

Lots of lovely stunning walks , via pubs if that your thing . The skimmington , Reigate Heath, Reigate Hill, Buckland park lake .

There is a great select of both state and private schools, but for prep and senior.


State prep
Holmedale , Reigate Priory Junior School, Reigate Parish

State secondary
Reigate hight, Royal Alexander and Albert and St Bedes (need to pray )

Prep
Mickenfield , Reigate St Mary (junior school to Reigate Grammar , Hawthorns (a drive)

Private Secondary
Reigate Grammar, Dunottar , Boxhill (a drive ) , Caterham (a drive )

We are soon to be selling our 3 bed victorian house with garden home office v so, close to the
station , long garden , not overlooked
We are still staying in the area .


We also live in North Reigate , which is useful as there is a lovely walk via an allotment to get to Redhill (which isn’t as nice but a very practical town , also has a larger train station )

Morning!
Much as we love this part of London we are thinking of moving out in 18 months time.

My husband and I are both Northerners and don’t have any big pull to any area other than we love Windsor and Winchester and would like to be within commuter distance of London for work. We have friends in Farnham who tell me that it is a hot spot for SW Londoners, not sure if that is true, it also seems to have a more countryside vibe. If anyone has any other suggestions for other good family areas that we might look at I would be very grateful to hear them. We are planning to be gone by the time our eldest will be 7 as friends tell me leaving it much later gets tricky for schooling? Would love any insight into this as well. Apologies for so many questions but it seems quite a daunting prospect.