Is now the right time to buy?

Innys1

chucknorris wrote: »

It is nice enough but slightly further away than we wanted to be, we have investment properties in London (back then I never envisaged that I would start work again and end up commuting, so that was an unforeseen plus for Dorking too).

I'm in a very similar position. I have investment properties in London and used to live there. I now live in Woking and used to commute to London.

Soon got sick of being just another sardine, quit and now work in Leatherhead, a 30min drive away, which halved my commuting time.

The area around Woking is very green and pleasant - far better than London, IMHO. Guildford is expensive for what it is.

chucknorris

Innys1 wrote: »

I'm in a very similar position. I have investment properties in London and used to live there. I now live in Woking and used to commute to London.

Soon got sick of being just another sardine, quit and now work in Leatherhead, a 30min drive away, which halved my commuting time.

The area around Woking is very green and pleasant - far better than London, IMHO. Guildford is expensive for what it is.

Yeah Woking looks nice enough, I have played at Working chess club a few times (I think it is part of a larger sports club, might be tennis?). I only work part time so the commuting into London isn't too bad and also I rarely have to go in during the rush hour, so it isn't half as bad. I usually watch downloaded movies from sky on my laptop so it makes the journey less boring.

After being in Dorking a few years when I went back to work in London I actually said 'morning' to someone in the street in London (whoops, they must have thought I was mental lol).

Innys1

chucknorris wrote: »

Yeah Woking looks nice enough, I have played at Working chess club a few times (I think it is part of a larger sports club, might be tennis?). I only work part time so the commuting into London isn't too bad and also I rarely have to go in during the rush hour, so it isn't half as bad. I usually watch downloaded movies from sky on my laptop so it makes the journey less boring.

After being in Dorking a few years when I went back to work in London I actually said 'morning' to someone in the street in London (whoops, they must have thought I was mental lol).

I think you're being kind - the centre of Woking is a dump.

It's the places around it that are the real gems - St Johns, Old Woking, Pyrford, Woodham, Horsell. All very leafy and all commutable to Woking train station.

The best thing about Woking itself is the train service. Otherwise, nothing whatsover to recommend it.

chucknorris

Innys1 wrote: »

I think you're being kind - the centre of Woking is a dump.

It's the places around it that are the real gems - St Johns, Old Woking, Pyrford, Woodham, Horsell. All very leafy and all commutable to Woking train station.

The best thing about Woking itself is the train service. Otherwise, nothing whatsover to recommend it.

The chess club if I am remembering correctly seemed to be in a very nice area, surrounded by very pleasant houses. They play in Woking's lawn tennis and croquet club, maybe that is in a better part of the town?

chucky

Fella wrote: »

Of course it's not but it's interesting that you admit to thinking it.

If you believe that people that can't afford property should buy a house, you're much more deluded than I thought.

tom9980

naxtek wrote: »

My OH is a teacher and should get regular pay increases for the next few years.

Are you sure about that? you may want her to check, Osborne scrapped the pay increases based on service time for teachers and its now rises based on performance. The new method allows Head teachers who are facing budget cuts the power to decide on pay rises. At least this is my understanding of the new system.

Tosca3

Most of the Surrey Hills villages are great with fab cycling and riding.

Guildford has some of the best shopping in the country too. Just don't go there at night !

thelawnet

Innys1 wrote: »

I think you're being kind - the centre of Woking is a dump.

It's a bit !!!!!!, but it's not dump in the London way of thinking - you are not going to stabbed or assaulted or whatever.

There are plenty of shops, they just aren't in attractive buildings like the ones in Guildford.

It's the places around it that are the real gems - St Johns, Old Woking, Pyrford, Woodham, Horsell. All very leafy and all commutable to Woking train station.

The best thing about Woking itself is the train service. Otherwise, nothing whatsover to recommend it.

Well the shops are in handy walking distance. You wouldn't be able to walk to Next/Debenhams/theatre/cinema/etc. if you lived in East Horsley.

There really isn't anywhere in Surrey that is properly a dump -if it's a nice house in a nice road than you are sorted. Whereas if you lived in a nice house in a nice road in say Islington, you might be 200 yards from a high-security prison, in Battersea you'd hear helicopters overhead, in Brixton regular stabbings, and so on.

maisie1234

This is an interesting thread. I brought a one bed flat in the early 80's and now own a house with my husband worth over £1 million and we didnt buy it for investment we brought it because it was in a good area, with good schools, and it was ours. We have to live somewhere. And I do agree with the poster who warns against assuming that your partner will get automatic pay rises. Those days are long gone. Surely giving out payrises just because you have been there for a long time isnt the way to go?

I have just fixed for another 5 years (only have 7 years to go) to give peace of mind. Just go for it. I dont believe mortgage rates will go any lower. Also buy something you see yourself staying in for a long time. Moving is VERY expensive.

maisie1234

I|'m in South Bucks btw. Now if we had brought in London..... Husband doesnt like living in London so we are on the outskirts. I really miss the buzz of London.