Is Guildford or Woking the better place to live? Home buyers have to make complex decisions. Our guide looks at five important categories across the two towns.
Location and Transport
Located in the South West of London, Guildford has great transport links and easy access to the Capital, taking just 30 minutes by train. Guildford is very close to the A3 and A31, and closer to Gatwick Airport than Woking.
Located in the heart of Surrey, Woking is a large town offering regular fast trains to Waterloo which only take 25 minutes. Woking is close to the M3 and junction 11 of the M25, and nearer to Heathrow.
House Prices
Based on information, the average price for a property in Guildford was Ł595,575 over the last year. Woking was a little cheaper, with the average price for a property marked as Ł538,226. The minimum deposit needed is likely to be around Ł35,000, but saving more has clear advantages in borrowing a smaller percentage of the property value and accessing cheaper mortgage rates. Once ready, conveyancing solicitors Guildford and Woking, such as Sam Conveyancing can help with the entire process.
Education
Surrey has some of the best performing secondary schools in the whole country, according to Ofsted. However, Guildford has more “Outstanding ” Primary Schools.
Crime Statistics
The statistics for Guildford don’t look great. Classed as the most dangerous major town in Surrey, it also ranks in the top 20 most dangerous overall out of Surrey’s 105 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Guildford in 2021 was 72 crimes per 1,000 people, whereas Woking rated 62 crimes per 1,000 people (2021). Guildford rates highly for drug related offences, shoplifting and personal theft.
Cultural Attractions
Historically rich, Guildford has numerous buildings and attractions dating back through the ages, such as the High Street, which was laid out in 900AD. It hosts stunning, immaculate landscaped grounds and parklands, such as West Horsley Place and Hatchlands Park. Loseley House is well worth a look, especially in the height of summer when its one thousand rose bushes are in full bloom
Guildford Cathedral is also worth a mention. It’s one of the town’s iconic landmarks, located on Stag Hill, and a fifteen minute walk from the town centre. Another iconic building is Guildford’s Norman Castle. Built soon after the Conquest in 1066, it was once used as a royal palace and the castle grounds are famous for their beautiful, colourful blooms.
Woking, on the other hand, offers West End shows at The Ambassadors’ New Victoria Theatre. The New Victoria Theatre is part of The Ambassadors entertainment complex, which includes the 1,300 seat New Victoria Theatre, 230 seat Rhoda McGaw Theatre and the recently refurbished seven screen Nova Cinema. Woking also has an award winning gallery and museum, The Lightbox. Situated just five minutes walk from Woking Station, The Lightbox has three galleries which host a huge range of exhibitions.
Another worthy mention is The Woking Food and Drink Festival. Organised by Woking Borough Council, it forms part of the annual Celebrate Woking programme of events. Other attractions include the ruins of Henry VIII’s Tudor hunting palace, and the Shah Jahan Mosque, Britain’s first purpose-built mosque.
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