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Please help - where to move to in/near London?

8 replies

LilyLiveredLoon · 18/12/2014 10:07

Unfortunately my marriage is appears to be rapidly going down the pan, and I need an exit plan, which for financial reasons means moving house and primary schools with 2 DCs.

I'd be extremely grateful for any advice on where can I move to in or near London that has:

  1. Decent 2-3 bedroom properties for 250-300K.
  2. Good state primaries with breakfast and after-school clubs that are likely to have KS1 and KS2 places available.
  3. Reasonable (financially and time-wise) commute to central London (for areas outside London, trains into Kings Cross/St Pancras/Euston ideally, but Waterloo/Liverpool Street also possible).


Grammar school area would be a bonus, but the above are more important.

I've posted in Primary Ed and had some helpful replies but just casting my net a little wider. Just looking for a starting point to focus on really, because the amount of choice is doing my head in atm.

TIA
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SarahT12 · 18/12/2014 10:47

Hi, maybe you can take a look here where there are houses for sale or rent everwhere in the UK, and a lot in London. You get in direct contact with the owners so you can ask them questions directly. I found it very usefull. The best thing about it is that you don´t pay anything to use this website and you don´t have to pay any commissions to agents... is totally free theipropertycompany.com/ just take a look ;-)

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suspiciousandsad · 18/12/2014 11:03

Forest hill/Bromley/Bexleyheath? Getting further SE but I think grammar schools in Bexleyheath/Kent way?

Southfields near Wandsworth? There's the Graveney school but it does have a tiny catchment.

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Somethingtodo · 18/12/2014 11:21

Do you need to commute into London 5 days a week? If so would you consider moving as close as possible into London to save on commuting times (therefore more time with your DC day to day and poss save money of after school care) and also save on travel costs - which can be ridiculous - £4-5K a year approx £500 a month (eg St Albans or Winchester)

I would prefer to put this money into my property investment or lifestyle than hand it to Thameslink.

If so maybe consider a flat near a park in SE London

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WhatKatyDidnt · 18/12/2014 11:38

Yes, Forest Hill/Sydenham might be a go-er if you are ok with a flat. This flat is in a fab location not far from an Outstanding primary (Elliot Bank) and the lovely Horniman museum and gardens. Forest Hill has quick trains to Canada Water (to connect with Jubilee line) and London Bridge. This one also pretty good location.

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whataboutbob · 18/12/2014 11:50

Canterbury has grammar schools and very good primaries. it's a 1 hour commute in St Pancras on HS1 train. Should be places in your budget.

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LilyLiveredLoon · 18/12/2014 11:56

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I'd rather stay as close as possible to London to minimise commuting costs. The SE London areas mentioned are sounding good.

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Cedar03 · 18/12/2014 12:19

Have a look at Hertfordshire. Trains go into kings cross or Moorgate or Liverpool street. Don't know much about schools though.

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suspiciousandsad · 18/12/2014 12:27

I loved forest hill, close enough to enjoy Dulwich, good schools, lovely park, the horniman museum ( had my first ever MN meet up there actually). I rented just off Lordship Lane, but that was 12 years ago and I expect prices have risen somewhat. Trains into London Bridge.

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