Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Moving to South London and Schooling

132 replies

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 08:01

We are planning to move to South London with our kids (from a fairly rural part of Scotland). Absolutely terrifying.

Any tips on schools and how to know what schools to get into?

Looking at Balham, Wandsworth, Earlsfield area.

Also totally scared about doing this with kids. Any advice appreciated

OP posts:
FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:26

Just worried that we haven't been there for 5 years

you lived there five years ago pre children. Your experience and what you regard as “good” will be very different to now

Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:23

WatchandWaitorNot · 14/03/2024 10:22

Intrigued that you see the secondary school options as move back to Edinburgh or send to boarding school. What about private secondary day school in London?

Edited

This could be interesting. Not thinking that far at the moment. But thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:22

@FunnyFinch I lived in Balham for 5 years and my husband was there for 8.

OP posts:
FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:22

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:21

@FunnyFinch lol yep!

heads up… people who self proclaim as “I just tell it how it is”… generally aren’t all that nice!

WatchandWaitorNot · 14/03/2024 10:22

Intrigued that you see the secondary school options as move back to Edinburgh or send to boarding school. What about private secondary day school in London?

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:21

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:19

4 years ago

And I know the area very well, lots of family support and friends. Don't want to be in a random place that I don't know well.

Show quote history

to visit or were you living there?

Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:21

@FunnyFinch lol yep!

OP posts:
Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:21

@FunnyFinch we live in an expensive place and it's not that far off the prices in London.

OP posts:
FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:20

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:17

Ha, I love her. She was saying it jovially but she's very blunt.

Show quote history

ah she’s one of those. “I just tell it like it is”. 😆

Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:19

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:13

Yes, just state schools and we want to be in the thick of it.

when was the last time you lived in london OP? and i take it that it wasn’t with children?

4 years ago

And I know the area very well, lots of family support and friends. Don't want to be in a random place that I don't know well.

OP posts:
FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:19

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:18

Our family was here and we were promised support but it didn't really materialise. Parents separated and quite a few family deaths.

Show quote history

what would your support be like in london?

any family or friends?

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:18

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:17

Ha, I love her. She was saying it jovially but she's very blunt.

Show quote history

where does she live?

Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:18

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:16

Husband works there 4 days a week too and it's really hard being left for most of the week

what made you move to scotland??

Our family was here and we were promised support but it didn't really materialise. Parents separated and quite a few family deaths.

OP posts:
Lampzade · 14/03/2024 10:17

ISeeTheLight · 14/03/2024 10:11

I'd honestly consider living somewhere in the commuter towns with that budget rather than more central. There is a happy medium between the middle of nowhere in Scotland and central London...

This
I think it is a big jump going from the area you currently live in to South London.
You would get more for your money,

Original poster
WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 10:17

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:04

One of my friends has told me I am absolutely insane to move them to London. She thinks I'm holding onto my old life and need to grow up

one of those “mumsnet friendships” where neither seem to like one another in the slightest

Ha, I love her. She was saying it jovially but she's very blunt.

OP posts:
FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:16

Husband works there 4 days a week too and it's really hard being left for most of the week

what made you move to scotland??

WatchandWaitorNot · 14/03/2024 10:15

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 09:41

Yes, just state schools and we want to be in the thick of it. Lived in Balham before for 5 years so know the area well. Just worried that we haven't been there for 5 years and is it as good as I remember? I'm worried to take the kids incase it's not good for them?

It’s probably better than leaving them behind in Scotland to fend for themselves 😂

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:13

Yes, just state schools and we want to be in the thick of it.

when was the last time you lived in london OP? and i take it that it wasn’t with children?

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:12

ISeeTheLight · 14/03/2024 10:11

I'd honestly consider living somewhere in the commuter towns with that budget rather than more central. There is a happy medium between the middle of nowhere in Scotland and central London...

i agree with this

it is a massive change for you op and i don’t think your budget is big enough for what you likely have moved from

ISeeTheLight · 14/03/2024 10:11

I'd honestly consider living somewhere in the commuter towns with that budget rather than more central. There is a happy medium between the middle of nowhere in Scotland and central London...

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:11

you can be whoever you like whenever you like and no judgement

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:10

i have lived in a handful of places across the UK

and hands down friendliest was london

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:07

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 09:54

Yes! Have heard about secondary schools and it being an issue in London. We've got about 7 years and then we might have to move back to Edinburgh or send them to boarding school which seems a shame.

Show quote history

but your youngest would only be 9…. i think you’d have to discount boarding school at that age?

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:06

WineLover21 · 14/03/2024 09:45

We've got about £1.3m to spend? So I hope so, can't see much on the market at the moment though!

Show quote history

my brother is selling on a dodgy road 15 mins from clapham north and not near a good school. 3.5 bedrooms, terraced, courtyard garden, nice interior… £1.8mil

FunnyFinch · 14/03/2024 10:04

One of my friends has told me I am absolutely insane to move them to London. She thinks I'm holding onto my old life and need to grow up

one of those “mumsnet friendships” where neither seem to like one another in the slightest