Areas to raise children / teens in London

[Citylifemum]

I've one young child, a boy, and TTC. We live in London and will remain here due to our jobs and because we like everything it has to offer, the diversity and the variety. At the moment the area we live in was great pre-kids but isn't very suitable for family life.

I am looking ahead to teenage years / secondary school and aware of the rise in problems young people face as I work with young people in a support sector. Like all parents I want to do my best to support my DC to stay safe and thrive.

I'm wondering if we would do well to choose the area we want to live in now whilst DS is still small, and make a go of it in a new area with a view to staying there until DC have left home. My concerns are finding good Co-Ed secondary schools and it being a good safe area for teenagers (as far as possible). Obviously I know that nowhere is untouched by violence, gangs or drugs etc. but some areas are better than others.

We are fortunate enough to have a healthy budget for a home so lots of London would be available to us but as a newish mum it's the first time I've looked round London areas through a family lens.

What are other peoples experiences of raising children / teens in London and areas which tick most of the boxes?

Ok,so are you open to all London or a specific area eg north. Near a tube?
South and East London are relatively cheaper than say West
What Do you need transportation wise?

Muswell hill, crouch end both have good school,parks, nice to be in
with schools you really need to check you’re well in the catchment area, obviously, as good school are oversubscribed

All London. I know about prices as I've lived here 25 years. Just don't know which areas are good for families and relatively safe for teens going out / walking to school and so on, as I don't know any families with older Dc.

It's very wise to think about this now.
South Ealing/ Northfields has very good primary and secondary schools, parks, summer festivals and is mostly quite safe. Every now and then there are problems with teenagers getting mugged and there have been, I think 3 stabbings nearby in the last couple of years so not without its problems.
Chiswick seems more upmarket, but I don't think Chiswick high has a good rep.
Same with Kew & Richmond, nice safe places but a lot of people send their kids to private schools

Twickenham, Richmond, Barnes, Barnet, Muswell Hill

East Dulwich - Herne Hill - North Dulwich in catchment for the Charter secondary schools.

What is your budget, how many bedrooms do you need, do you want an house or is a flat ok, and what stations do you need to commute to?

I'd think about your commute to work if you work away from home and go from there.

My DD (15yrs) is happy at her co-Ed school in SE4 and is in the same class as lots of people she was at nursery with. It’s great for me as I know the parents of her peers (or someone that does) which makes it easier when she is meeting up with new friends. She can get the train into China Town with her pals and the overground to Brick Lane.
We’ve been really happy here, lots to do (Horniman/Surrey Quays farm/Southbank when little) and good transport network now she’s out and about on her own.
I would move now and get embedded before teenage years.
Telegraph Hill

Interesting. What do people think about Blackheath as a potential area? We love the area for little ones but not so sure re schools / secondary.

The trouble with Richmond (and possibly Blackheath?) is that so many people send their kids to private. We are fixed on state schools.

I like Blackheath, we go often or a mooch around the charity shops, and DD used to have a regular art class at the Conservatoire which is brilliant. Why don't you have a look at 'the good school guide' to get an idea of which schools appeal? Good school guide.
What are your interests? We love Lewisham because we're close to Goldsmiths and Camberwell and their art galleries, and near some lovely parks for our dog - Beckenham Place and Greenwich Park and can easily get to central London on the train/overground.
You could also post this in the Property/DIY thread where you may get more replies.

We live in Wanstead E11. My elder son started at the high school in September and is happy there. It's changed a lot as an area over the last 15 years - lots more families, more diversity, and a buzzing high street. So many restaurants and bars. Lots of green space - Wanstead Park is huge, and you're close to Epping forest for long walks and bike rides. We use the Olympic Park a lot - 3 stops on the tube, great facilities for growing kids. However, we feel crime has also gone up - lots of cars being stolen, and there have been several muggings of high school kids in broad daylight lately. Not sure if this happens in all parts of London but it's a shame as otherwise a nice area.

The area around Greenwich Park has amazing primary schools, loads of families move there to raise a family. If money is not an issue, then a mid-terrace house with a small garden near the riverside will get you easy access to Maritime Greenwich with all of its educational and playdate opportunities. Strollers are frequent on riverside, and Greenwich Park has amazing playgrounds to spend endless days in the first few years. Great secondaries in that direction too (some of the best state schools and indy's in the UK) easy weekend bike rides to Bromley, Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, etc. A2/A20 lends easy access to the Kent countryside (Leeds caste, Hever castle) with all of their family programs and loads of beaches within easy reach etc etc.

For us the only benefit of North London seems to be the full-on state schools like QE, but it's different there and not much else from a family perspective. Surrey and Buckinghamshire are also popular with families, but in comparison to Greenwich/Blackheath I have always felt that they are a bit lacking in family entertainment opportunities programmes - and somehow feel more managed 'fitting in', less choice based environments (e.g. schooling, family programmes, beaches, etc) when it comes to raising children.