Prefer an expensive nursery because is walking distance... unless DH agree to buy a car...

[Norange]

The point is I always, ever, since I was 18 I had a car drive to everywhere I wanted in the city where I come from. Now in LOndon I´m facing a lot of diferences and one of then is the terrible weather with a DD of 2 yrsold. I miss my old life and I hate the idea of submit my DD to the bad weather and buses to go to the nursery.

You are been really kind, thank you, even you KateSpade , yes I´m from another country.

I think it´s a cultural question that I have to overcome...like many others I´m facing ...

I started to go to a child club they just opened near here, it is not a playgroup but I hope start to work like that.

thecook I live near Maida Vale, do you know some Nursery around?

I only meant it because of how you mentioned staff, as its not the norm in this country but it is in others, and was curious. Thats all.

That explains a lot. Norange. London takes a bit of getting used to if you're not from the city and especially, I'd think, if you're not a UK national. Give it time, find some groups to join maybe - they don't all have to be child-centred, what about a gym or exercise class with a creche so you can get some time to yourself and have some adult company?

And thecook, my part of London is the other side of the river but I'm very envious of the Maida Vale mews. There's lots of lovely history to those houses I'd imagine. :)

"I hate the idea of submit my DD to the bad weather "

She won't melt. Honestly, I've been subjecting all 4 of mine to the weather for the last 10 years and they are still intact.

Everytime i leave the house when its raining my dad says 'Do you know its raining' i always say, 'shit, i'll frigging melt then won't i?, i better stay inside'

I´m from Brazil, staff in my case means cleaner and nanny, what is absolutely normal there.

I live near Regent Park, anyone knows good nurseries around... ok, even if I have to take a bus
??

Norange

There are lots of Brazillians in London. Especially in Queensway and Willesden Junction. You should go to Queensway market (a bit scruffy) but lots of Brazillian stallholders. There is a restaurant on Westbourne Grove called Rodizio Rico (check out the website). Also in Willesden junction there is Station Road, full of Brazillian shops. I think there is (or there was), a free magazine called Leros (wrote in Portuguese).

My good friend lives in Porto Alegre

And I completely understand the driving thing if you are from Sao Paulo or another one of the big cities xx

I have the names of two nurseries in Maida Vale but there are waiting lists cos when your child is 3 you can get 15 hours a week for free.

If you look on the City of Westminster website it lists all nurseries xx

Station road has cafes (where you can get those custard things (natas?), butchers (where you can get mixed meat to make Fejoida) and even lingerie! There is also a church close by (opposite Willesden County Court) that does a service in Portugeuse on a Sunday (they have the Brazillian flag flying outside)

Also there is a Brazillian restaurant in Kilburn. Run by Brazillians and full of them on a weekend! Cheapish and they have live music.

Tks thecook, I copy/paste your post in my personal files to keep the information about brazilian shops.

Porto Alegre is really nice, if your friend is european will feel at home, most of people there have european background. I´m from São Paulo.

"...15 hours a week for free", I didn´t know that, any nursery, any level of fees?

The highlight of the day for my children is to go on a bus or train ride. It's even more exciting if it's raining and they can take their umbrellas out!

Owning a car in London is expensive and not really necessary, especially if it's mainly for getting a 2yr old to nursery?

"Pasteis de nata", I love it, they are more Portuguese than Brazilian, difficult to find them in Brazil.

Butcher, yes I miss brazilian meat (beef), they certanly have.

Wow you know a lot about Brazil places in London! Have you alread visited? Of course I would suggest Rio rather then São Paulo, unless you have business purposes.

The 15 hrs free is from 3 years generally.

Good to know it naturalbaby, and you gave me a great idea, give her a gracious umbrella, and rain boots, she will fell like Peppa Pig!

every day is an adventure at that age!

No such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing

GrahamTribe, I thinked about the "getting used to..." and really I think its really that question, I´m stilll in the process.

Sao Paulo is a much harder city to live: traffic jam, violence everywhere - I had been stolen (wallet, car...) my sister almost lost his life for a stupid mobile and now she drives a bullet proff car, and also bad weather - take London weather and add tropical storms, and I was completly get used !! ,

We don't have a car and my 3yr old goes to nursery a bus-ride away at the moment. Now that my 18mth old can walk, we get on the bus buggy-free. He has a great time! Do it!

Oh, and come down to Crystal Palace. The Brazilian Olypmic team are training down here! Nice Brazilian cafe too :)

It's perfectly normal and possbible to have a cleaner and/or a nanny in London too, you know .

I think it's reasonable though to choose a nursery because it's near your home and easy to get to. Of course children can cope with rain and even buses :) but why not choose a convenient location if you can?