Best SFA 'Patch' for MoD

[Tracey Island]

I'm likely to be bound for Central London in Jul/Aug this year. Notwithstanding Far West's similar thread of 20 Jun 06, I'd be grateful for any contemporary advice from current or recent Main Building internees, or may be even an update from Far West himself!

Standard of the SFAs and local environment naturally important but I think the main consideration will be the easiest/quickest commute in to MoD...the helpful laydee at the HIC wasted no time in stating in her second utterance to me that, "...well, waiting lists are very long and of course we are allowed to allocate you anywhere within 90 minutes by public transport." :hmm:

Coming back from standalone tour so limited chance to recce beforehand.

Vmt in advance...

[Wrathmonk]

Whilst it's been a couple of years since I was in Quarters in that area I would avoid Bushey Heath at all costs. The quarters were of a 'reasonable' quality but the local population were less so. Unless you like being a victim of crime that is.

For ease of commute (but perhaps not the quickest) then Stanmore (again, been a couple of years so I assume they haven't been sold off yet) strikes me to be a good option. Start of the tube line (so you should get a seat;)) but more importantly it's the end of the line on the way home after a few after work beers so no chance of missing your stop! And no need to change lines either!

Of course, all the really good patches (if there is such a thing!) are full of people on their second MOD tour who know where to avoid!

[Krueger Flap]

Probably not quite what you're after but Henlow has a nice patch, decent quarters and very quiet. Also has advantage of good gym and swimming pool on camp, as well as Mess and usual amenities. Almost certainly within 90 minutes door to door, via Hitchin to Kings Cross. Very handy for A1 and going places this side of London.

[The Helpful Stacker]

I'm sure there were a few Main Buildingites in quarters at Headley Court when I was there and they were by far the nicest quarters I've used.

[whowhenwhy]

Don't even need to go to Hitchin, Arlesy (sic) is just around the corner. Of course the problem that you'll have is convincing the DE chimps that you could get SFA there because it's not the London region. I also know that despite having spare SFA, the Stn is keen not to have anyone who's not at Henlow/Chicksands! I think Bushey's being sold off too. Sorry, not sure that any of that helps.

[bowly]

Without a shadow of a doubt, West Byfleet. Very nice area, secluded spot next to numerous golf courses. Commute is one of the nicest and trains frequent and journey quick. During rush hour the time from door to desk is about 55 mins, which includes a pleasant walk across w'loo bridge. It's in an affluent area so no trouble with crime.

The only trouble is, as someone has already mentioned, you will prob go on a waiting list as it's very popular esp with Army wallahs. Most on 2/3rd tours and when I was there the record was over 10 years in situ!

Schools are excellent (local junior school has just had an "outstanding" OFSTED report.

Best patch we've been on and comes highly recommended from me!

[rchdleigh]

Henlow filling up rapidly with Chicksands and as said not keen on MOD warriors taking houses from residents.

Shepperton - long commute - approx 50 mins to Waterloo but start of line. Nice area but houses pretty unimpressive. Commute faster if you cycle over river to Walton on Thames (10 mins) and then 25 to Waterloo.

Kingston - 30 odd minute commute, The Keep better houses than Shepperton and good shopping.

Putney - short commute, mostly occupied by those who claim need to be within 30 mins of MOD, newish houses but small and not brilliant neigbourhood.

West Byfleet - reasonable commute about 30 min to Waterloo. Houses mostly OK for London area but in need of maintenance (aren't they all?) Quite popular with MOD warriors.

Otherwise you're looking at Woolwich, Biggin Hill, Uxbridge, Stanmore etc.

[hello1]

West Byfleet is recommended by all who have lived there but is popular so don't count on success. DE have a now out-of-date but handy guide to all the patches which they can send you electronically. Bushey Heath is right on the edge of that limit with a fairly painful commute and some of the houses are now falling apart. I wouldn't buy a house there - even if I could afford £250K for a nicotine-stained dump of a 2 bedroomed flat. Most of the thieves mentioned above live in Bushey; on the bright side the patch in Bushey has been sold and Watford is actually several miles away...

Not sure why the MOD would want to pay for a train ticket from Hitchin if there are quarters in London but hey, it is the MOD and they have no control over what they spend.

Kingston looks like something out of a horror movie but the area is probably nicer and you are right next to Richmond Park. Putney is generally full and looks quite cramped. I drove through Stanmore recently and assumed that the boarded up council estate was in fact the FQs - but I might be wrong, it might actually have been a derelict council estate!

My advice is to speak to DE allocations and find out what the options actually are so that you can make an informed decision - I recognise the 'long waiting lists and 90 mins line from 2 previous tours in the London area'. To be fair to the DE allocations staff, their incompetent colleagues in the maintenance department have allowed so many houses to become uninhabitable that there is always a shortage.

Use Google Street View to see what the place is like and get a good idea of commuting options using the TFL website. Have a look at likely engineering works - some of the lines are closed at weekends through to 2012 - so if you want to go into central London you may struggle slightly with (for example) the Jubilee Line. Speak to the current incumbent in your new job and find out what the score is on your likely working hours so that you can try to get some sort of work/life balance. I had none - I was in a long-hours job with a long commute.

Oh, and remember to have a lobotomy before turning up!;)

[thefodfather]

I have to disagree with the previous comments about avoiding Bushey Heath. There was previously a patch at Bushey where there had been a few problems, but these have since been sold off. The patch at Bushey Heath is in a lovely area, just google the average house prices for WD23. A nice little high street within walking distance, good primary school etc etc. The only downside is that if you include the bus trip to the tube, it can take an hour to get to MoD. Oh, and this info is recent as I only moved out last month.

[Tracey Island]

You and all your contrary opinions!

Does look as if West Byfleet might be edging it...not that personal preference will survive contact with the HIC.

Thanks thus far...

[VinRouge]

Loading... | Police.uk (http://www.police.uk/crime/?q=Bushey,%20Hertfordshire%20WD23,%20UK#crimetypes)

Helps decide non? ;)

[Widescreen EngO]

West Byfleet definitely better than Bushy Heath

I've done 18 months at West Byfleet and one of my mates is back there for a second time. It is an excellent area with fast trains to Waterloo in 20-25min and good schools. Socially a good little patch as well.

On the other side.....my brother is currently at Bushy Heath. Loads of houses are uninhabitable due to burst pipes, some also due to structural issues (cracks in the wall that you could put your hand through) and a general feeling that the areas needs a lot of money spending on it.

Of the two, West Byfleet wins hands down. Putney is also nice but houses are small and you need a letter from God to get on that list.:8

[Alpha Whiskey]

I have just recently done a lot of research into this subject for the same reasons and offer the following:

West Byfleet - definately the best patch for London for all the reasons articultaed. However, highly sought after, long waiting list and difficult to see how you ever rise to the top of it within the 4 months they allow you to be on the system for before your posting start date.

Biggin Hill - plenty of availability but very remote and rural

Kingston - 70s town houses that Mrs AW and I didn't take to. Due to NATO population, turnover a bit sparodic

Uxbridge - modern houses but behind the wire of a base literally falling down. Plenty seemed empty but the development of the old base starts this year, so probably not the most pleasant place to live in the short term

Bushey Heath - Bushey = dump, but the SFA have been sold off there. Bushey Heath seems very nice, although there is evidence of under investment in some properties. Nice quiet patch set in an expensive looking area and Stanmore tube only 4 miles away(just over 30mins to Westminster). Reasonable turnover here - we have been allocated a house for the summer that will be vacated in a few weeks.

Hope this helps.

[North Front]

Very happy tour at Stanmore. Nice quarters, very nice area, easy for work (10 min walk to Canon's Park then 30 min tube). Easy for A1/M1.