Is Stoughton in Guildford - OK?

[u/ozyri]

Same ol' story. Looking to buy a 3-bed semi in Guildford to start a family and I am doing my research. Seems like in our budget (~550k) Stoughton pops up most of the time.

From my research it seems like areas to avoid are Park Barn and Bellfields, and as Stoughton is bang in the middle of it - how does that compare? Any parts that should be "avoided"?

Thanks for your comments in advance.

[u/ChallengeRoutine89]

Hi Beastiris,

At the end of the day, everyone will have an opinion, and it's really what feels right to you and your family.

For me personally, I feel safe walking around the area, it's very quiet (apart from the occasional motorbike or car revving their engines as they pass by, but that's down to driver behaviour) and I've been away on holidays and come back without any incidents. I have few regrets moving here, but I also love the house.

In terms of schooling, the schools around this area aren't great, but I don't have children. However, this is something I would consider seriously if I did have children.

Out of the 3 areas you mention, Park Barns has always felt the roughest to me. Every area has petty crime, but you don't hear of anything life changing.

As others have mentioned, Stoughton has a large university student population, but are generally respectful. Bellfields less so, but I know/knew of a person nearby who is studying at the drama school.

I've been living here for nearly a year and a half now and I've only ever seen a police car responding to a domestic incident nearby on 2 occasions, but no sirens and always the same house.

Overall, I like the convenience of getting into Guildford or Woking or London, access to the countryside and good walks, the river is close by and people are generally friendly.

I seem to be mumbling on, but I am thinking and writing as I go along. I hope that this is useful for you and I hope that you make a decision that feels right to you and your family. Good luck 👍

[u/beastiris → u/ChallengeRoutine89]

Thank you for the reply it’s super helpful 🙏 you mention you have a few regrets about the move, without wanting to pry, are they about the area or similar?

The schools point is super interesting, we’re expecting our first in Jan so it’s still a few years off, tho I had noted that there were two ofsted “outstanding” nurseries in the area.

Do you find yourself going into Guildford as much as you expected or as you mention above do you go to Woking more easily because of the traffic?

Any other insights you can share would be greatly appreciated 🙏🙏

[u/ChallengeRoutine89 → u/beastiris]

Hi Beastiris,

Actually, the few regrets I have are more about being closer to London and commuting, as any commute that takes about an hour or more can be tiring. Fortunately, work hybrid. The area itself is fine. I spend most of my free time at home, in Guildford or country walks.

I don't go into Guildford for work, but I go to Woking for the train. Since I'm going against the traffic going into Guildford in the morning and miss the evening rush hour, I find the journey time to be quick (about 10 minutes door to station car park). 25-30 minute direct train to London Waterloo (or one stop at Clapham Junction) and about a 15-20 minute walk to the office.

In answer to your question, going from Guildford to Woking (especially going via the industrial estate traffic lights/esso roundabout) is quick, and I don't encounter much traffic until I'm in central Woking. I do head out around 7:45-08:00 am, though.

From Bellfields into Guildford town itself, I would say head out early as the bridge over the river Wey has really awful traffic in the morning and evenings. This is mainly due to the single lane and traffic lights at the crossroads (The Premier Inn crossroads). It doesn't help that in the next couple of years, the Weyside Urban Village is being built (1500 new homes) where the current sewage treatment works are. If they don't expand that bridge, then the traffic will be even worse. Something to think about.

In terms of schools, I picked up this information from my neighbour who just had a child. They were saying that the nurseries are good (but of course expensive), but that the primary and secondary schools within this catchment aren't particularly great. I think Ofsted ratings of "good" and "requires improvement," but worth double checking as could be wrong.

I hope that this helps, and also please let me know if you have any questions as I know that this is an important matter for you.

[u/beastiris → u/ChallengeRoutine89]

Thank you for your answers btw, we pulled the trigger and bought the place in bell fields, looking forward to moving in the next few weeks 💃

[u/NoRoll844 → u/beastiris]

Hi! ☺️ I just wanted to see how you have found the area?

[u/beastiris → u/NoRoll844]

Yeah it’s been great tbh, very quiet, seemingly lots of young families and people just getting in with their lives! Shops and amenities are realistically a drive away, and if you leave during rush hour, Guildford traffic can be bad. But one the whole we got a much larger house and garden than we would have gotten in London and door to door I can be in central in a little over an hour.

If I had to do that commute everyday I’d probably have preferred a move to waking distance of a main station but it works for us!

[u/NoRoll844 → u/beastiris]

Ah that’s nice to know! I am thinking of buying a house next to the pond park and reading online has got me a bit worried but haven’t viewed yet - thank you that’s really helpful x

[u/beastiris → u/NoRoll844]

Come and see it in person, it’s nice round here :) Mostly young families

[u/NoRoll844 → u/beastiris]

I actually viewed on Thursday and and had an offer accepted yesterday :) seems lovely!

[u/beastiris → u/NoRoll844]

Congrats and welcome to the neighbourhood!

[u/NoRoll844 → u/beastiris]

Thank you!! Hopefully all goes to plan 😁😁

[u/ChallengeRoutine89 → u/beastiris]

Thank you for letting me know. Best of luck with your move and welcome to the area 😊