Lockdown planning ahead to next few years. Would be interested in hearing views and experiences of other London Mums (or Dads).
We are expecting our first in June. We currently own a 2-bed new build flat in Woolwich. It's spacious has a balcony overlooking the river, but we don't want to stay long term. It's been a great first rung of the ladder though. Once dc is school age we'd like to be somewhere with really good access to large green space. Ideal places we've rented before could include Blackheath or Camden, where we lived living close by the parks, or north London where we've lived near Highgate Wood. However prices are likely to be too prohibitive in those areas.
We have rented in West London before as well and liked it. Have looked at Chiswick but don't know it really well.
South London is not somewhere we've lived, mainly because we have always prioritised transport, up until we bought.
So key priorities for us are:
Green space (decent sized for good long walks) or riverside
As central as possible. Quick, efficient transport links as DH works long hours in the city. Ideally tube or really frequent trains. His commute ideally 30mins max. (I wfh).
Local area / villagey feel with shops / restaurants etc
Primary schools good or above. (Less concerned about primary than secondary).
To have the option of a decent secondary school would be brilliant. Would rather not be forced into private.
Areas I'm looking at very broadly are:
Blackheath / Greenwich
Tooting Bec / Balham
Tufnell Park / Gospel Oak (pricey)
Chiswick?
Battersea?
Clapham- too pricey?
We looked at Dulwich area but it felt a bit too suburban for our taste and trains were infrequent.
Places like Twickenham / St Margaret's look lovely but probably too far a commute at present? DH's hours will be early / long for the foreseeable so we want to ensure he can get home quickly.
Are there any others out there with similar lifestyles and requirements with advice about any of these areas, or indeed any other interesting suggestions? We've got a few years yet but would like to be settled by the dc first school.
Budget-wise by then we could probably afford up to 850k for ideally 3 beds. We are very happy in a flat not a house, as long as there is a balcony and green space nearby and as central / well connected as possible. Happy to do work.
Thank you