I've been there many times over the years, and not just to Andertons, and I like the place. It seems self-contained, has good shops, nice eateries, people seem nice and there's enough music and interesting stuff going on plus you've the Surrey Hills and countryside on your doorstep and the south coast and Hampshire aren't far away.
Friend's and family would still be 40 mins drive away.
There's a university or the ACM, which my be handy for my son in a couple of years time and the train journey to London, Waterloo takes about the same amount of time as it does for me now, but will obviously cost more, but I'm only in the office one day a week.
So...I believe there are a few people here who live in Guildford or very close, what more can you tell me about the place? Is it a decent, safe, interesting place to live and does anyone commute to London? What's the journey like?
Farnham's nice, too, but just a little too far out and more pricey.
Many thanks
Comments
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Its a nice change from London as the people are a bit nicer, and its a student-y place, loads of young people. You've also got Andertons which I've bought 3 guitars from.
I still go back every now and again and I recognise people out and about in town, either through ACM or local venues. Its pretty cool people still remember me.
I couldn't live there though as its way too expensive, like £450 a month or whatever, touching on £500 though London's no better off!
@Sporky - What's it like Andi
@Octatonic - does it have a drug problem?
@Lestratcaster - I was in The Star last night as part of the Guildford Fringe Festival. Good venue.
The town centre has basically everything you're likely to need (apart from a John Lewis, which is a genuine sore point for some). Crime is below average, there's plenty of woods and countryside nearby, and you can get to the M25 in fifteen minutes on a good day. There are good routes to the M3 and M4 too, and we're about halfway between Heathrow and Gatwick.
Train is about thirty five minutes to London, but if you're going to commute every day then Woking (where I grew up) is only twenty five and has twice as frequent trains. Guildford is a nicer town but most of Woking is fine.
It's chuffing expensive though. Next door (three bed link detached, decent sized but not huge garden, need a bit of work) sold late last year for just over four hundred grand, and we're in the second cheapest bit.
I was actually out in Abingdon today after just being in Henley and that is what I thought about Abingdon- I was just looking for an opportunity to make a joke.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
You mean you work there Lee
Modern town a few chavs, must types and some yummy mummy's crack on!
Bit far far out good road links trains poor.
£400K for a detached 3 bedroom sounds decent by today's prices. Where I am in Surrey, the average 3 bedroom place is close to £500K and you look at them and think really? If you could see my mate's place up in Derbyshire, 4 bedroom, beautifully done out with proper brick outhouses (always looking for the opportunity of a music room/sound proofed studio), good size rooms with good links and that was up for £320K!
Are there any no-go areas or dodgy districts?
I did see a lovely road up near the old quarry area/South Hill near The March Hare pub/White Brasserie and the houses were beautiful. We're talking millions.
In all the years I've visited Guildford, it's always had a good feel and there's quite a few people at my work who were ex-ACM and so I'll ask them the next time I'm in.
Is The Silent Pool open again up near Shere? I visited that place, Shere, Cranleigh and Guildford as 7 yr old child on a school trip. When taken to Guildford Cathedral and asked by a teacher why they the lecterns were in the form of an eagle, I answered "Because they're birds of pre(a)y.
Bury St Edmunds is also on my list and sadly, I can't afford Cambridge.