ealing?

[EmBeEmBe]

Hi.

In a few months we will be moving back to London after a few years overseas. In our time away we've had two children so need to find a new, family friendly area on which to live. We need to be about 30 minutes max from the job in shepherds bush, preferably closer so can cycle. It looks like parts of Ealing borough could be affordable (our budget is 1500 pcm for 2 bedrooms) but I've never been there. What's it like? Hanwell seems more affordable than other areas. Anyone know it well? I'd appreciate any advice - it's somewhat overwhelming!!

[SpringBreak]

Ealing is very "curate's egg". Some lovely housing stock set around parks and good facilities cheek by jowl with some pretty rough areas (I remember well that the riots in London were very active in Ealing, and in fact an elderly man was killed). It'll become a lot more expensive in a couple of years when crossrail reaches Ealing B'way.
Areas near Shep Bush which I really like (but have no idea of rental values) are: Ravenscourt Park, Willesden, Brondesbury Park, the bit of Acton near Gunnersbury Park, Kew, Sheen. All very family friendly areas.
Chiswick is bloody lovely, especially the Bedford Park area but I suspect it's out of budget.

[sacbina]

I live in Ealing and love it. don't let the rubbish talk of the riots put you off, it was a nationwide freak occurrence.

tons of family friendly places, parks, activities for dcs. don't know about rental costs. hanwell nice and will be on crossrail route. In fact prices anywhere on crossrail route are through the roof. lots of investment going on too. happy to answer any q if I can help

[EmBeEmBe]

Thank you, very helpful.

Children are currently a toddler and a baby although I know it won't be long til I am applying for primary school. Yikes. League tables aside, which schools would you consider to be the best in the borough?

Has crossrail already started to affect prices? Can't quite believe what's happened to London prices since we've been away. Thought it was crazy before, bit now .

[superram]

Having lived all over Ealing it really does rock!
We live in Hanwell, having moved here from South Ealing for a bigger house. You can jump on the 207 to shepherds bush or e1 or train to Ealing Broadway then get the tube.
Make sure you are well within catchment for any school-st marks and hobbayne are great in Hanwell. Cross rail is beginning to have a big impact on prices in Hanwell so try to move quickly.
There are great toddler groups, nice cafés, the fox pub. There is Hanwell carnival and our own music festival the hootie. Pm me any questions if you like.

[LocalEditorEaling]

Hi EmBeEmBe, I am the local Editor of Mumsnet Ealing.

Try our local Talk Board -
local.mumsnet.com/Talk/ealing/local-active

I myself live in North Greenford/Perivale and our area is pretty lovely too. Lots of greenery (lovely woods) and playgrounds.

[northfieldsmu]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows a female taxi driver covering Ealing please? I have 2 teenage daughters and in the midst of everything going at the moment, we are looking for a female cab service as I can't always pick them up and uber doesn't feel that safe.

I've looked around online without success.
Thanks,

[WestieW7]

I live in Hanwell (W7) and have for 25 years and I would recommend it and not just because our Victorian terraced house is for sale. We are relocating for reasons that have nothing to do with the area, in fact, without the canal, the river, the parks, the meadows, and the woods the past year would have been unbearable.

I used to cycle to Shepherd's Bush for work. It took me about 35 minutes but anyone fitter than me takes less than 30.

Hanwell has nice cafes and pubs, a thriving broadway, a small zoo, a large Lidl (and is a ten minute cycle from a Waitrose), a carnival, a small music festival that is rapidly gaining an excellent reputation, great primaries and secondary schools, a library, a hospital, 12 minute journeys to Paddington (and soon 15 mins into Central London when Crossrail is completed), the Piccadilly Line into Hammersmith or Heathrow, etc.

Makes me wonder why I'm moving (ah yes, it isn't on the coast). But, just in case you think I've got rose tinted glasses on, you can hear aircraft noise and when the wind is in a certain direction we are on the flight path for planes taking off. But 25 years in the same house suggests that you do get used to it.

Finally, if the sign of an area that people like is a forest of loft extensions then people really like Hanwell.