Calling all Hillingdon borough mums - can you assist?!

[bobsleigh]

Hello, what is the borough of Hillingdon like to live in? I am currently living near Hammersmith with my DS of 20 months, and soon-to-be-ex. We need to stay reasonably close to central London as my soon-to-be-ex would like/I would like, him to stay fully involved in DS's life.

I was looking at Hanwell (transport links to the West generally easier to get into Hammersmith area) but alas it is still too pricey. I am now thinking about Uxbridge/Hilingdon - looking for an area that is reasonable to live in, with plenty for little ones to do, decent schools, but not too quiet. Although I am currently working part time, I plan to become a childminder (which I hope I would be reasonably good at) so that I can support us and be at home with DS. Is the area over-run with childminders? Do you like living there?

Any advice would be extremely helpful and much appreciated....

[Waspie]

Hi bobsleigh

I was brought up in LBH but moved away years ago. It's a very large and diverse borough. Generally the other side of the A40 is considered "naicer" - Ickenham, Northwood, Ruislip etc... Harefield is cheaper, Denham more expensive but both are quite rural with poorer transport links into town.

Ruislip/Ickenham area has the bonus of being on the Central Line as well as the Met. line which offers better routes to West London.

I don't know much about schools in Uxbridge/Hillingdon but my mum's friend is a TA in a primary school in Hayes (on the same side of the A40 and not far away) and it had to take a 5 form entry this year due to the number of applicants. That's a lot of children who may need a childminder

[bobsleigh]

Thanks Waspie, do you know if any areas in particular are more child-centred/family orientated? Good parks / toddler groups / nice people? Sorry probably not if you moved away years ago, but still anything you are anyone else knows would be handy...

[LondonSuperTrooper]

I think that North Hillingdon is lovely. You are close to the station, great schools and a vibrant family area.

[bobsleigh]

Oh really? Much green space? And what is hillingdon high st like...or would you go to uxbridge ? Thanks

[Waspie]

Hi bobsleigh. Well I was a child brought up in the borough and I had a great time - there are parks, cinemas, shops, good bus routes and the great access to London meant that the museums, theatres and art galleries were all an easy distance away.

I like Uxbridge, it has some lovely Victorian streets (parking can be difficult!) plus more modern 1930's onwards builds and there is Brunel university so there are always lots of young people and it feels very vibrant. There's a good shopping centre and "townie" activities but it's close to the countryside too - visits to Black Park in Iver, the aquadrome in Rickmansworth and farms in Harefield very favourites when I was little (a long time ago!) But I don't know it well enough now to say which areas are particularly child centred - sorry.