Hello!
I am looking for some advise from current or past Teddington residents! We are planning on moving to the area from Putney in time for our eldest to start school. We have been very impressed with Teddington and always leave with a good feeling. The draw of good schools whilst still being somewhat commutable for my partner who works in Central is our driver.
I am starting to feel anxious about the move, change is quite scary with children involved. It is really important to me that I do right by my children and I feel that choosing an area for them to grow up is a huge responsibility. We have a 2 year old and 3.5 year old. We are in a privileged situation in that we can just about afford to purchase a property in the area that is big enough to stay in whilst the children grow up and get through school (we will be choosing state school for a few different reasons.)
I am aware that the area is very expensive and does not get you much more for your money then being further into London. My big question is whether the young families end up eventually getting priced out of the area? one of our reasons for moving further out is that the families in London are quite transient and I find myself or my children befriending someone who ends up moving away. Is Teddington an area that families tend to stay put in once their children attend school or do they ultimately end up moving away in favour of more space?
As a young mum I do not have many friends with children and I am really looking for that sense of community for my children and myself, I worry about moving into an area where that does not exist. Teddington feels like it has an element of London life whilst also not being out in the sticks, however does this also mean it is more of a stepping stone area? Any advise on this or anything else that springs to mind will be greatly appreciated!