Advice on areas to live? Leatherhead, Epsom, Chessington, Lightwater, Bagshott?

ifonlyitwaseasier

lightwater and bagshot are both nice to live in, Bagshot has less parking generally tho, and both can be awful to get out of in the mornings if the M3/A30 gets backed up

clairey22

Wow thanks everyone for the replies. I need to get the map out now and start looking into some of the suggestions. I did a test drive from here (Crawley) to Kingston yesterday in the car. It was fine on the M23 and M25 but coming off at the Leatherhead Junction then getting on the A243 I think it is, it was crawling along all the way until Chessington and I was practically stationary for about 20 mins. I left Crawley at 7.30am and got into Kingston at 8.55 which is cutting it a bit fine.

Does anyone know any decent (and safe!) car parks in Kingston? I parked in the NCP Fairfields yesterday and didn't really like it! (the ramp is one of those that goes up and round for ages).

My job is right next to Kingston station - so getting the train might be a better option than driving.

thanks again everyone! especially 00ec25 for the detailed info on routes.

devotee

clairey22 wrote: »

Wow thanks everyone for the replies. I need to get the map out now and start looking into some of the suggestions. I did a test drive from here (Crawley) to Kingston yesterday in the car. It was fine on the M23 and M25 but coming off at the Leatherhead Junction then getting on the A243 I think it is, it was crawling along all the way until Chessington and I was practically stationary for about 20 mins. I left Crawley at 7.30am and got into Kingston at 8.55 which is cutting it a bit fine.

Does anyone know any decent (and safe!) car parks in Kingston? I parked in the NCP Fairfields yesterday and didn't really like it! (the ramp is one of those that goes up and round for ages).

My job is right next to Kingston station - so getting the train might be a better option than driving.

thanks again everyone! especially 00ec25 for the detailed info on routes.

I always park at the shopping centre and it's fine.

boo2410

I lived in Cobham for 20 years and agree with 00ec25 that traffic is an absolute nightmare in the whole area. If I was going to choose any of the areas you listed I would go with Fetcham. If I was going to stay in the area I would have moved there, as it is we've moved to South Norfolk and I love it here. People are lovely and hardly any traffic jams. It feels like escaping from the ratrace. Wouldn't go back to Surrey for all the tea in China!!

boo2410

Oh, and I always used to park in the Seven Kings car park which is not far from the station.

zagubov

WelshNic wrote: »

New Malden is a dump compared to what it was 10 yrs ago - why do you think we moved out of the area

I think OP should give it a look- there's places to avoid (e.g the congested areas around Kingston Road). But anywhere near say Beverley park/ New Malden station would give access to the A3 for Addlestone (maybe 45-50 minutes via Cobham, then Weybridge or New Haw) and Kingston by train (4 per hour, 2 stops, 6 minutes travel).
Just don't drive to Kingston; that way, madness lies. :eek:

emmatthews

00ec25 wrote: »

Dream on, it is NEVER clear at rush hour :rotfl:it can take 15 mins just to get from Esher past the Scilly Isles

I meant it can take 15 mins outside of rush hour, should have worded it better.

I was going from Weybridge or Walton, I would use the Hampton Court/Kingston Bridge route rather than the Scilly Isles. But whichever direction you are coming from, Kingston is never going to be an easy commute.

MrsE_2

clairey22 wrote: »

Also I have been checking the "live traffic" on Google Maps and it looks like several of the routes into Kingston get very busy in the mornings. Does anyone drive into Kingston and could give me advice on routes to avoid? or am I worrying over nothing?

Thanks
Clairey

Avoid the road in from Chessington, the A243, it cabn be a nightmare in.

TrickyDicky

Have you thought about Woking? It has some nice parts, decent shopping and only 25 mins to waterloo on the train if you fancy a night out in London (plus they run most of the night too!).

firesidemaid

i would love to be able to get public transport to work, so if you work by the station i would really consider the train.

do your employer offer season ticket loans? have you had a look at some sample prices?

depending on which station you travel from/to can make a big difference to the prices - the train folks on the transport board are a wealth of expertise in these matters.

also, if you have 2 cars, could you then get rid of one to save money?;)