To leave this rural idyll for the Big Smoke.?

[QueeferSutherland]

Am I?

I live in a wee village in Hampshire, minutes walk from an "excellent/outstanding" school, a short drive from friends & family, but DH & I are thinking of moving to London.

Neither of us have lived there, but it would be good for DH's job, and I'd like to be, well, nearer stuff.

Are we mad?

yes, Rosendale will be over-subscribed, all Outstanding primaries in London will be, so it will be a matter of living close enough, or waiting for a place to come up.

And the even the not-good-reputation primary school in the more northern side of Herne Hill (where it sound as if your friends might live) did much better last year! Lambeth have poured resources and effort into their schools - but that may all now have to change

queefer, surely you could find out if HA houses are readily available in London and in what area's before you decide where you do/don't want to live?

personally I think they;ll be like gold dust, just like they are in most other parts of the country

can't help thinking you're kidding yourself on a bit

Don't!
The traffic, noise, pollution, small spaces.
You'd be CRAZY.

I smiled when I read your original post, I moved from rural life (in northern scotland) to London, not by choice but by hubby's work. Despite the chaos, I am definitely at home. I have met so many lovely mums here from all walks of life and from all over the world it has definitely enriched my life. So much of 'good London' is free, the museums, the parks, the riversides...its all there for the taking. BUT! my eldest is due to start school next year and like any area within zones 1 to 4 of the tube map, there is enormous pressure on primary school places round my way (north west) there are simply not enough to go around (a child at nursery is still waiting to be placed having been offered nothing from the first round) Don't want to alarm you but schools are a really acute problem here - oh, and even the private ones are fully booked out years in advance...there is only one reason we might have to move out...you've guessed it!