Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to move to London next year

226 replies

GitAwfMayLend · 26/04/2011 14:50

Hate living in Gloucestershire. It's bollocks.

I work in Swindon - loads of Londoners commute down here.

DP can work anywhere.

DD has got GCSEs and would need a college place, but she would certainly be up for it (has the wanderlust like me and DP).

OP posts:
kittya · 26/04/2011 15:53

Why don't you wait until your daughter has finished her A levels and encourage her to apply to uni in London? I just think it might be a really big shock for her otherwise. If you are really determined I would look at north London or west, I love hammersmith and Ealing. Ive never been keen on south london and I'm the first to admit I know nothing about it appart from b
Brixton high street! God, your girl is really going to grow up quickly!

Valpollicella · 26/04/2011 15:53

SouthWest GetOrf, definately.

boosmummie · 26/04/2011 15:53

GitAwf parts are - but if you know where to look there are some cracking bargains to be had. I was there last week sorting out our move and have seen lots of great places, just south of Nightingale Lane and also around Heaver. Obviously I have no idea of your budget, but I've got a job lot that I can send links of to you if you want form ££ to ££££££. Schools wise though, that bit of LOndon is extremely well served. I could do mastermind on them all!

messylittlemonkey · 26/04/2011 15:54

Oh, yes, do it.

DP and I lived in London throughout our mid to late twenties and loved it. we relocated back up North after DD1 was born five years ago mainly as we wanted to be nerer to family and be able to afford to buy our own house!

i couldn't imagine living there with a young family, but if your DC are older and you have the finances, then go for it. London is a fantastic place to live.

Petsville · 26/04/2011 15:54

X-posted with Kittya. Hammersmith is definitely good (and has great transport links so you can get everywhere from there easily).

Valpollicella · 26/04/2011 15:55

Depends on how much you might have to spend GetOrf. Also places that are maybe a touch more south west (so not London 'proper' but still London Boroughs) might be more value for money

messylittlemonkey · 26/04/2011 15:57

Meant to say, North London is best in my view. We lived in Highgate, Crouch End and Islington, although all of these areas are bloody expensive.

EverythingInMiniature · 26/04/2011 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 26/04/2011 15:57

I live in Hackney and it's the dog's bollocks! It is surprisingly green. The lack of tubes makes it feel slightly 'undiscovered' (but buses and trains are excellent). It's still relatively cheap ? enough to be interesting and varied in terms of the inhabitants' jobs, class, ethnic profile, etc.

London is brilliant.

Spero · 26/04/2011 16:00

I don't know your budget, but if you have got enough to live comfortably in a decent enough place in a decent enough area, then go for it. I love London, I would have stayed if I had enough money but it was crazy - I could only afford to live in a two bed flat in South London and once the police moved on the crack dealers from outside my flat the teenage hoodies moved in and there have been several shootings since I moved. That was Brixton, but from what I heared Harlesden is worse.

But rich banker friends of mine live in Islington and love it. They do however have enough money to decamp to their summer home in August so I guess they get the best of both worlds.

I think London is fabulous if you have enough money. But I don't miss the transport at all. I am now in Bristol and a mile away from most of my work. I much prefer it. And London is only two hours away by train.

TethersEnd · 26/04/2011 16:00

I think Hammersmith is the devils' ringpiece. Particularly the roundabout Grin

S'horses for courses, innit?

I work in west London and hate it.

PiaThreeTimes · 26/04/2011 16:01

I WANT TO MOVE TO LONDON TOO!

Please could someone make this possible? Thanks.

boosmummie · 26/04/2011 16:02

Tethers I couldn't agree with you more! I would rather drive ten miles out of my way than go up Fulham Palace Road and over to Shepherd's Bush Green!

boosmummie · 26/04/2011 16:03

Pia you can come and stay in Clapham with me when we move back at the end of the year. Best I can offer I'm afraid!

Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 26/04/2011 16:03

lol at schools mastermind, I can do that on Gloucestershire schools and the 11+ plus system (god we are saddos).

Just made the mistake of going on Right Move - am actually amazed where we can afford (figures not finalised, but presuming £375K) I would have thought most of west London would be out of budget.

OP posts:
kittya · 26/04/2011 16:06

I love it too but, we have to remember there's a teenager involved and it's going to be abig shock for her. It has to be somewhere where she will be as safe as she can be getting to and from places. I love Highgate or even East Finchley. Winchmore Hill also has a villagey feel to it. I have to admit, if it was me I would be tempted by somewhere like potters bar/st albans borehamwood. I know these aren't hip parts of London but your money goes further and it's dead easy to get in/out of central London.

boosmummie · 26/04/2011 16:08

GitAwf I saw a lovely 2 and box room bedroomed cottage in SW12 between Nightingale and Balham High Road last week. IT's on at £325k, needs cosmetic, but that's all. I'll find it and send it to you. Easy transport there - great schools in all directions.

No, I'm not an estate agent - just passionate about that part of Town!

Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 26/04/2011 16:09

lol at Pia.

I know what'll cheer you up - go to that godforsaken pretentious cupcake shop on the Promenade staffed by the Cheltenham College rejects with fluffy hair and think 'why in the name of ARSES am I paying £4 a cupcake in gliucestershire' Grin

Christ I have just seen a 4 bed split level flat in Acton for my budget. Where the fuck is Acton (sung to tune of Alice, Alice, who the fuck is Alice!)

I am banking on work going to Whitehall - there are plently in my company who used to work in Swindon and have decamped to London. Then I wouldn't have to stay west.

You can buy a house in Harlesden. I am very surprised - was thinking a 2 bed flat would be the most we could get.

OP posts:
Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 26/04/2011 16:10

Kittya - you are right. To be honest it depends on what she wants to do, she is very up for moving (bless her) but I don't want her scared.

This is why DP likes Wanstead etc, he thinks it is suburban and safer.

OP posts:
Valpollicella · 26/04/2011 16:13

Acton is West London...near Ealing - some parts nice, some not so much afaik

Valpollicella · 26/04/2011 16:13

Great for commuting to Swindon!

Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 26/04/2011 16:13

5 bedroom house in Hillingdon!

Loads of them. What's wrong with Hillingdon?

Loads in Uxbridge as well (I quite like Uxbridge)

OP posts:
Original poster
GitAwfMayLend · 26/04/2011 16:14

Thanks everyone - this is like Geography lessons for west country yokels the feeble minded

OP posts:
ChippyMinton · 26/04/2011 16:17

I say go for it. DH and I moved out of London for three years, and moved back again before we fell asleep. I commute out of town along the M4 and it's very easy going against the traffic most days.

For Swindon by train you need access to the Paddington mainline.

Valpollicella · 26/04/2011 16:19

5 bed in Ealing here Shock