London living with children

[Emmis]

Hi,
We're in the process of deciding between a possible transfer to either NY or London. We are both British but have never lived in London. We've travelled with our children ever since they were both tiny (they are 2 and 5 years old) but are completely clueless as to good, green (in as many senses of the word as you can think of!!), family friendly areas in London with good state (public) schools, and that are accessible for work in the City. Any help would be hugely appreciated. And if anyone's ever lived with kids in both NY and London any suggestions might help us make up our minds!

Thank you (and apologies if you've read this in another topic area - I'm a bit of a novice here )

[DaddyJ]

Bankers with kids?
In London they would be living in Clapham
or in the Richmond area (Richmond, Twickers, Barnes, Teddington - South West London).

I think there are some leafy expensive places in the North, like St Johns Wood,
but I am not too familiar with those.

[legalalien]

good state primary or good state secondary? Assuming primary, then SW London (as DaddyJ suggests) probably the most popular choice, or Herne Hill /Dulwich (where we are, and I really like it here!), or Blackheath (particularly if one of you is in Canary Wharf rather than the City per se). A lot will depend on how long you are prepared for your commute to be, and how much you want to pay..... the catchment areas for good state schools in London tend to be quite small (with a corresponding effect on housing costs), also bear in mind that applications for 5 year old entry in September close in a couple of weeks for a number of London areas, though not sure you can realistically do much about this without an existing address.......

[legalalien]

just re-read this - just MAYBE I have have a south of the river bias. Am clueless as to what's on the other side of the Thames.....

[Emmis]

Thanks for the replies.

Will check out some of those locations on propery rental sites asap!

Unfortunately we're in a tight spot regarding schools as our daughter would actually be in Year 1 (I think) now, as she turns 6 in July. I've no idea how that would impact on school choices. Probably not particularly positively, especially as we really do want her to attend a State school.

As for the field of work, My OH works in Banking yes, but not the rich Trading type. Basically IT in the ever so exciting Finance arena....

Thanks again!

[timmette]

Belsize Park, Hanpstead and Fulham are nice places with kids.

[Emmis]

Didn't think of Belsize Park... thanks for that suggestion!

[flibertygibet]

Ealing is a very nice area too. Rental prices are coming down and lots of very good state schools. Good access to central London, the river, Kew Gardens and Richmond Park. Not as expensive as some other parts of London too.

[choosyfloosy]

Here's a thread called Blackheath or Dulwich - might come in handy even though it's from the ancient history area of Mumsnet (2005). You could try searching on each of the areas you are interested in for particular threads.

Why not try posting another thread called 'New York living with children?' there are quite a lot of US residents on this site.

Sorry, no info, just nosy!