New to Hackney...where to live with a 9 year old!

[KimGym82]

Hello Everyone,

Well I am completely new to this site and don't know how it works but i'll give it a go!

I am moving to Hackney in August 2011 with my 9year old daughter to start a new job around the Shacklewell area. I am not really that familiar with the area so am looking to get some advice on the nicer areas to live and where abouts I can get her into a decent primary school. At the moment I am a tad confused as I love the vibe and creativity Hackney but am being told by people that I'm doing wrong by letting my daughter live in the area!

Any help or advice would be much appreciated! :o

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

We're in E5 and we like it a lot. The Chatsworth Road area is a good, strong, friendly community with a new weekly market and the massive green spaces of the Marshes and River Lea nearby. For a child of older primary age I'd see if Millfields or Rushmore Schools would be able to take her; Daubeney (our local) is good in the youngest years following a change of head and special measures but in my opinion older years are still feeling the stress of past problems the school's had. We looked around all of them and felt this was pretty marked.

I think the housing will be cheaper here too as I think it's probably not the 'best' area in Hackney! If that's more your vibe try looking London Fields/Broadway Market way. But of course, the prices rise accordingly.

I don't know much about the secondary schools though and this will obv be an incoming decision! Do find out about catchments/admissions etc as I know several families for whom this has been a big old problem this year.

Good luck. We love it here.

[KimGym82]

Thank-you so much for the info! I have read on other threads that both Millfields and Rushmore are good schools. I started to look around Upper Clapton and then got side tracked to London fields beacause I heard it was full of 'mummies'!

My confusion seems to be that I absolutely love the vibe and energy of Hackney during the day but am getting freaked out by comments from people saying that it suddenly drops at night and I could be in my bedroom looking out of the window at mass stabbings! I count myself as being streetwise and careful but as I have a child I've found myself toying with the idea of moving further out (Leytonstone, South Woodford etc).

Tomorrow will be a day filled full of research!

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

Mmm. She'll be wanting to get out by herself soon too. But mine are smallies so I can't really comment on that. Hopefully someone with children a little older will come along soon!

The violence thing... can't say I've witnessed anything but I don't go out much at night. DH works nights but cycles everywhere so isn't on foot/public transport much.

The Chatsworth Road area is Lower Clapton too, I think as Upper Clapton's more around Springfield Park. Anything below the Lea Bridge Roundabout and above Homerton High Street.

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

Oh, and Chatsworth Road market is on tomorrow too - Rushmore School opens one of its playgrounds then and there are stalls and food there.

Have fun!