Why move to Guildford? Because it’s lovely! But of course we’d say that – we’re Guildford-based estate agents and we love promoting the area. Guildford is also a great choice because it has good transport links, good schools and you get quite a lot of space for your money. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Where to move when it’s time to leave London?

Many people move to London in their twenties to start their careers. They have a great time, enjoying everything London has to offer, including a short journey to work. But London is expensive, particularly when it’s time to stop house-sharing and start to settle down. For this reason, many people who moved into London to start with choose to move out again within a few years. 

Often, people look to move out of London when they want to start a family. Others just want a slower pace of life. Some are priced out of London before they’ve even started, and look for a home in the commuter belt as their first rung on the property ladder.

Most people who want to move out of London choose to remain in the Home Counties, because it means they can easily get into the capital for work and entertainment. Guildford in Surrey is a great choice.

What does Guildford have to offer?

Guildford is a pretty, historic town located in the Surrey Hills, just west of London. The town itself is characterised by its long High Street which stretches up a natural hill and affords lovely views of the surrounding countryside. The town centre has a useful mix of independent and chain shops, as well as a library, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and the G-live events venue. The station is an easy five-minute walk from the town centre. 

Slightly outside the town centre to the south is the University of Surrey and the Surrey Sports Park. To the east is Stoke Park, home of music festival Guilfest, as well as the Guildford Spectrum leisure centre and the lido.

There are lots of clubs and activities for the children to get involved with, including dance schools, horse riding, gardening, indoor climbing and ice skating. 

What’s it like to live in Surrey?

Guildford, like most Surrey towns, is relatively quiet and safe. It balances the energy and practicality of a town with the peace of the countryside. 

The surrounding countryside is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with delightful walks to be had at Newlands Corner, the Silent Pool (home of Silent Pool Gin) and St Martha’s Hill. 

The Surrey Wildlife Trust is very active with talks and walks on the local flora and fauna – get stuck in and find out all about your new patch! 

Are schools in Guildford any good?

Yes! All the state schools in the area are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. There is also a wide choice of independent schools. 

Guildford’s transport links

The good train connection between Guildford and Clapham Junction and Waterloo means that you can live in Guildford and still work in London. The journey is just over half an hour by the fast train, which runs frequently throughout the day.

From Guildford, it’s also an easy train journey to Portsmouth, Reading, Bristol, Bournemouth and Exeter. 

Heathrow and Gatwick airports are also easily accessible from Guildford, making holidays and business travel easier. Both airports can be reached by direct buses from Guildford town centre, but the journeys are also short enough to drive. You’ll also find you’re in demand when friends want collecting at the airport! 

By road, the A3 connects you to London and Portsmouth. You’re also on the right side of London for the West Country and its popular holiday destinations in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. 

Does property in Guildford offer value for money?

If you move here from London, you’ll find that your house-buying budget goes a lot further than it does in the capital. You’ll get more space for your money, often with a good-sized garden and off-street parking included. 

Because of its proximity to London, the area has always been very popular and properties with GU postcodes continue to increase in value. This means that Guildford property is a good investment.

Move to Guildford

If you’re ready to move to Guildford, explore our property pages and see what we have to offer. And if you’re ready to book a viewing, we’d love to hear from you – get in touch here and start your new life today.