WHERE TO MOVE? Surrey or Harfordhire? Post Reply

[dianaSW]

Really need help ASAP! We have overgrown our London house and made a decision to move out of the area (and London) ((. We have been looking for about 2 years now and finally narrowed our search to 2 (or 3) areas: St Albans, Harpenden and Guildford. We have 3 young children, a live-in nanny (who doesn't drive), husband works in London (and hopefully I will be back at work in London soon).. I have never lived outside the big city so need life, shops and kiddie stuff around me. We also need good commute to London and good jr and sr state schools. All the above places seem to tick those boxes. House prices also seem to be very similar. We know people in St Albans / Harpenden but not really in Guildford. How do we chose which place to concentrate in??? Am I missing any other criteria? May be any of you lived in the above areas and could shed some light? We sold our house in London and need to move out in the next 6 weeks. Looks like we will end up renting for awhile but would love to rent in the area we will eventually buy. Please help!!

[BalhamMumWorkingFT]

Personally, I'd go where I know people and definitely rent until you are sure about a place. Just make sure you can get into the local schools before you decided on a house as they tend to be just as oversubscribed as Wandsworth (i know, shock horror).

Good Luck.

[Htheh]

Have a look at www.lifeafterlondon.com
A website run by a friend(and local mum), it is very useful and can connect you with people in both areas. Good Luck

[Bee@lifeafterlondon]

Thanks for the recommendation - we'd certainly love to try help you. The site is free to join and you can post questions and we find locals to help you...it might be helpful to get a feel for the areas and many people using our website have found it helpful. You can also post general chat if you just need others to help with advice.

Also a couple of things that might help you which I've learnt/discovered. The first is to jump ahead and think about secondary schools. Primary seem so important when you're choosing but try to give some consideration as usually where there are good secondary schools you find good primaries but the same doesn't work in reverse.
Secondly look at the commute as it really can make a difference to pleasure on both sides! A very helpful website is www.commutefrom.co.uk which shows which stations work in terms of timings. You might already be sure about it but it's very handy and saves looking at all the train companies.
Another helpful site if you're looking at Herts for schools is www.www.schoolguruhertfordshire.co.uk and also another site which is good is www.surreymummy.com.

Anyway I hope we can help - our website is www.lifeafterlondon.com and we will do all we can to ease the confusion you must feel.

Bee

[dianaSW]

Guys! Thank you so much! this has been tremendously helpful! All of your inputs are very much appreciated! I wish I posted a lot earlier as gained some great info and found some good and helpful websites! Thanks again! please continue with the comments and advisel!!
D

[Elizabeth24]

Hi - Bee is absolutely right about looking at secondary schools, even though you're not there yet, as they do tend to be fed by good primaries and you'll be at that stage before you know it.

Nat Price at Dean Associates is the absolute font of all knowledge on schools, at all levels, all round the country so I would really recommend you have a chat with him. Look at deanassociates.co.uk and call Nat on 01646 661 646.

Good luck!

Elizabeth
West London Kitchens