moving to UK for job in London - where to live, 3 kids...

Oh, and I strongly agree with others on this thread - that considering you could live anywhere, definitely choose places where you can get a train straight to Liverpool St. 50% of the time on my commute is getting from my house to London Euston, and the other 50% is getting across London on the tube, because annoyingly we live the wrong side of London. It would be so much quicker if I didn't have a tube journey as well as the train (there are lots of reasons why we aren't going to move though...).

You need www.commutefrom.com - you put in Liverpool Street, and the length commute you want, and it tells you what places are on the right train lines, with a load of other useful info, like train season ticket costs (which can be eye watering - expect to pay at least around £3,000 a year for an annual season ticket, and quite possibly more).

When you say he wants a commute of 45 mins to an hour, do you mean the total house front door to desk time, or time on the train? They are very different things - my train journey into London is only 20mins, but my total commute is one hour. So you have to be clear what you are signing up for.

In commuterville (ie towns or villages with a good commute into London), there is often a massive premium on house which are walking distance to the local train station. So that's something to bear in mind too. If you live 15-30 mins walk from the local train station, houses are often cheaper, and you can then cycle in to catch the train in half the time - that's what I've done in two houses in two different towns.

If you have a browse on that website I'm sure people could tell you what the various places are like to live. Afraid I'm better at knowing places which commute into Euston or Kings Cross, not Liverpool St.

Could OP get a 4bed house in Cambridge on that budget,and afford the season ticket for commute to Liverpool St.? I suspect not.

I would definitely choose somewhere on the Liverpool Street line up to Cambridge - much better not to have to get on the tube after having a train journey.

Lots of the stations on that line are in quite small villages, so you might have to weigh up between walking to the station and walking to the shops.

Saffron Walden is lovely, but it doesn't have a station in the town - nearest is Audley End. It is theoretically in walking distance, but the shortest route doesn't have pavement. I think it would still be my top choice though. Semi-fast trains still stop at Audley End, so the commute is not too bad.

Bishops Stortford has good schools, fast commute to Liverpool Street, lots of amenities.

Stansted Mountfitchet is nice, quite small, close to the airport so might be noisy.

Elsenham, Shelford, Great Chesterford, Newport all quite small and villagey - though Newport has a secondary school. Whittlesford station is in the middle of nowhere (or rather in the middle of lots of busy roads)

Cambridge is great, very bike friendly, good transport links, very good schools, state and private but very expensive. The station is quite a trek from the town centre.

Broxbourne and Sawbridgeworth would both be worth a look too.

Harlow, is (imo) not that nice, same with Cheshunt and Roydon.

I would look primarily for places where the train goes in to Liverpool St. If an additional tube journey can be avoided so much the better.

What about Saffron Walden?

If near Bank (close to Liverpool St) then anywhere into Waterloo works as you can take the Waterloo and City link which is quick!
I'd really recommend moving in June.
Friends suggested we do the same when we moved overseas - and it worked brilliantly as DCs made friends who they could then play with/meet up with in the hols and I did too!
Must less stressy in September then.

Ealing, not raking!

I second raking, Kingston and Richmond! Good tube links, you are near central London if you fancy a night out. Nice green spaces and access to lovely countryside for a day trip.

Another vote for the German school. And have met Americans who use it and are happy. There is a fair degree of mobility so the chances of getting a place should be good, and they will be used to settling in new arrivals. Plus it is in a good part of London with lots of green and lots of facilities for kids plus good access to Heathrow (though aircraft noise is a downside.)

You probably need to be clearer about what you want. You are talking about Brighton and Cambridge and are getting suggestions for Stoke Newington. (Look at Google maps - Stokie is loved by many but quite urban!) Are you planning to pay. Are your children academic and does their progress here matter, or do you see them mainly having a curltural experience. What is your budget. (Look at Rightmove for approximate rental costs.) What is your tolerance for commuting. A crowded train is very different from sitting for an hour on the freeway, and expensive too.

commuter guide website

I was going to suggest colchester too. County websites will give you a lot of info on 11+ exams.

You only need to worry about 11plus if you are moving to a grammer school area like Kent or Essex. The 11 plus forum would help with what prep and materials. Most private schools will also want to do an assessment but that would be individual to the school.
The best idea is to identify areas where most/all the schools are good. The state has to find you school places so if you move somewhere where all the schools are good you will be in luck. Richmond borough is good but the wrong side of London for Liverpool street.
With regard to your younger child. Schools are supposed to be able to cater for SEN. Reforms have meant they should be catering for the 1st £6000 or £10000 out of the SEN part of their budget. It if only if the needs are more than this you will be eligible for an Education health and care plan. ( replacement for the statement). Class sizes in the UK are 30 . Will he cope in a class of 30 with .APD? If you need smaller quiet classes he might be the one to consider private for? How severe is his problem/ dyslexia? Fairly House school has a god reputation but I personally don't know it

I'd agree with Colchester, though don't know school detail.

I also think missing out on the end of year 6 would be a real shame for your kids as they are about to move country. Given that you have the private option as well, I would take the risk. (Though I find it hard to believe that if you actually start renting a place in Essex, that you wouldn't be able to apply as soon as you rent ... but I bow to superior knowledge).

11+ is often county specific so I believe you need to decide whether your dd takes Kent or Essex i think (likely Essex for Liverpool Street). Is the timing right though?

Still would like to recommend Richmond or Kingston.

To Liverpool st live in Ealing about 30 mins on central line-will be quicker when cross rail eventually comes. Lots of parks, good school.

Sorry, UptheRhine, I haven't read all the posts...just noticed that you have already suggested the German School.

Cambridge is more than 45 mins surely! Do you know the UK at all , or have any friends over here?

Hi, have you thought about German school in London? There is one in Petersham (Richmond Borough), co-ed, goes till 18yo and a bit cheaper then other private schools. Very nice area too, huge Richmond park just round the corner.

Too late for 11+ now and it is applicable only in certain areas anyway. Most areas allocate school place based on distance and specific criteria such as practising relevant religions, siblings, feeder school attendance etc. You really need to determine an area first then contact LA or look on its website for the data and when to apply. In the end it will probably come down to wherever has a place at the time you arrive.

If you contact private schools they may require an academic test and interview, if they are still recruiting. Your older dc may be more lucky if anyone gives notice at Easter for September in her year group but they made already gave a waiting list for dc2's entry group and you'd have to find out where she might be on it.

11+ exam is Only in a minority of counties, not within London itself (I think?). Many private schools have entrance exams, too (most not tough).

I was thinking about Colchester, actually, it's a big enough town to have a lot to offer. I don't understand how good the schools are, it's a grammar school county I think? Like Kent? How does that work when someone moves into the area who never did the 11+?

Someone will have to explain Grammar schools to OP, we've nothing like it in CA.