Where to move to after Wandsworth Common/Earlsfield Post Reply

[wheretomovetonexthelp]

I am looking for advice on areas that my husband and I may be happy moving to. I feel like someone on here must know someone in the same position as us. During lockdown it has been impossible to go to any areas and get a true 'vibe' of an area and so I thought it might be helpful to get opinions of people who may know these areas better than we do. So, here goes....we have lived in Wandsworth Common for about ten years now, we have a toddler and a baby on the way. Sadly, our flat is no longer suitable. We are looking at areas which are within driving distance of Wimbledon (40 mins or less), commutable into London and within an hour of Wandsworth Common (as family live here). We obviously adore where we live now, love the open greenery of the common, the friendly people, community vibe (NCT, so many fitness classes/baby classes/sports) and walking distance to lots of great 'high streets' (Northcote road, Balham, Earlsfield). Please advise us on where we may be happy with a similar kind of family friendly community? Schooling is also way up on the priority list - we don't want to move again for a long while. So far we have Cheam and Banstead on the list. Reigate although dreamy, seems way too far away. Does anyone have any experience of these two areas? Thanks so much in advance! 

[maryd]

There is lots of helpful information on http://www.lifeafterlondon.com/
and the Facebook page is great too - really helped me decide on our move from London to Cirencester.

[Nasher1]

Hi, we were in a similar position 8 years ago, moving to Claygate, which is known as the first village in Surrey.

In reality it’s only a 10 minute drive from Surbiton but feels like a more rural community because it’s surrounded by green belt, so somewhat cut off from the suburban sprawl that surrounds it.

Claygate is a lovely community, where you’ll find many like-minded families who’ve made a similar move down the A3 out of London.

We are lucky to have decent connections into London (x2 trains/hr - approx 4mins) and have a good bus service too.

Schools are good and there is an excellent secondary school in Hinchley Wood (if you can get in!!)

There are plenty of playgroups and activities for little ones, and we’re lucky to have 4 pubs, several restaurants, a thriving ‘Parade’ which includes many Surrey ‘award winning’ stores and all that, as mentioned above, open space to explore and enjoy.

The only downside is that it’s popularity means that those houses that do go on the market get snapped up very quickly.

There are however some great areas nearby that may also be worth a look. Hinchley Wood, Thames Ditton, Molesey and Cobham.

Good luck with the move. We certainly never regretted it!

[gill44]

Gave a look around East Molesey, Surrey next to the River Thames and Hampton Court. House prices are a steal compared with W.Cmn. It’s a 30- min train journey to Clapham Jct and just under 40 to Waterloo. Bridge Street is a neighbourhood strip of independent shops like Bellevue Road. Not sure about schools though. Good Luck.

[mummyhoney]

St Margarets or slightly cheaper Isleworth. Right by the Thames and so much cheaper than WC. Really glad I made the move. Living by the Thames is wonderful. Planes can be noisy but that's the payoff I guess.

[wheretomovetonexthelp]

Ooooh thanks so much for the replies. I just checked in today to find these. Feeling more positive reading these. Claygate sounds perfect - in fact, appears to tick all the boxes! East Moseley also sounds fab. Thanks so so so much everyone! X

[TrinityInteriors]

Hi 

We moved to the Cheam area 5 years ago. There is lots to recommend it, nice village for shops, good schools and a great Forest School in Non Such Park where both our children have gone to for nursery. We both drive up to the Wandsworth area for work every day so 'spiritually' it is still our area especially in terms of our friends and nice shops etc. Obviously it's not as Cosmopolitan this way - 40 mins down the road can make a difference. 
Banstead is also a nice village and nearer to the countryside. Bit of an older vibe though. 
Hope that's of help.