aibu - supposedly left wing parents in London

[jimmyjoejamtoe]

Who run screaming to the home counties "because of schools?"

You know the type, having moved FROM the home counties after uni to London, then spend the rest of their twenties in London feeling smug at how "wonderfully diverse, edgy" everything is in London with a sneer at "middle England" but then...

..they go private...
...move to somewhere bland and safe...
when kids their kids arrive.

Hang on, you've changed your tune.

Aibu to feel a little peeved at these metropolitan types as they empty smugly from my area/go private?

Late to the game but yanbu, although I don't think there are thousands of them . DH and I were trail blazers when we moved to the last cheap place left in zone 2 at the time, and I was horrified that the only 2 school age kids in the street who came from wealthier (white collar? Middle class?) families were driven every morning to a famous public school several miles away. Even after pfb was born (and dm was offering to start a fund for him for said public school), i had no problem with him attending the local nursery, toddler groups etc. ..although DH was freaked out bless him. We didn't have the conversation in the end because we immigrated a couple of years later, but with hindsight I suspect I would've flinched when finally sending him to a secondary school where he was in a 5% minority of white kids, just because i saw what it was like for children of colour at my school when they were the minority. And the fact that there was an assigned police presence and my understanding is, metal detectors at the entrance. (That last fact was not mine experienced first hand, but I have no reason to disbelieve the person who told me after they visited the school for work).

Now my son is that age I think he would've been fine, but I don't pour scorn on others for being worried. MOE is that for most, political and philosophical ideals go out the window when it's your own children. I had friends who went to a local"sink"school (do you still have that expression?) Because their parents were idealists and making a point, and they don't thank them for it.

I always said my children would go to private school over my dead body, but here we are being overseas is not a get out clause much as I'd like to claim it it's on the table as I write.

I'd rather labour politicians and supporters did everything they could at a government level to change the imbalance, and not worry about what I think about their kids.

This is a huge subject for me as I come from a family of socialists and old tories, it's defined my whole outlook and makes for a lot of headaches.

The PP who said you put your kids needs before your own is totally right. I would prefer to be in zone 3 with my Turkish shops, African food and Sri Lankan shops. I loved it. I loved the diversity but a) I realised very few people really integrated and seeing the division upset me daily and b) the local secondary school (of course there was no choice whatsoever) was not right for my ds1. I think ds2 would have been ok, but not ds1, so you do what is right for everyone regardless of your personal tastes and wishes. 7 years is a long time to be in a school where you will quite likely be unhappy, and I refuse to move during secondary of it really didn't work out. It was a bit of a no brainer in the end though a significant portion of my heart is still in London (and I comfort myself that I'm still on the tube!).

the UK isn't divided into Multicultural Edgy London vs Safe White Middle England though.

like most people we left London as we couldn't afford anything bigger than a small flat even in the cheapest of areas

we now live in another large city with a diverse population (where some MNers would be terrified to hang out after dark ), but where you can buy a little house with a little garden on an average salary.

where we lived in London WAS diverse and edgy 10 years ago, but as it now costs £650 to buy a 3 bed terrace I cannot imagine it still is.

These smug, metropolitan types that have all been sneering at you OP, are simply the product of your own bigotry and paranoia, you do realise that don't you?.

Did you wish to live in London but never got to do it -- or something?

Why would you wish to spread the idea that people that moved to London, perhaps wishing to make the most of their opportunities or just to live amongst people that are different to themselves, is worthy of contempt? The fact they have had a change in their circumstances, or just wish to exercise the freedom to move somewhere quieter, is even worse? Grow up eh??

London bashing thread again.. sigh.

Get back to the provinces you slack jawed yokels.

It's hardly a 'vulnerable' group- the average London resident? Mind you give it 20 years and you will be talking mainly about the 'elderly' being the average London Resident which of course is a 'vulnerable' group. Note, how I say London Resident not 'Londoner' - those that were born and brought up there like myself.

Oh yes I forgot they're "lefties" too. Sounds like a R Littlejohn article this..

I grew up in London, state school educated. I did not want that for my children so we moved and my children are privately educated. Mind you I didn't spend my 20's in London.

I find some people are the opposite. I know one who grew up outside London, she could afford to go private but decided she wants to send her children to London state schools. She thinks quite highly of her own abilities to mingle with the plebs. Her children were raised very very middle class but these days when they open their mouths they have the most ridiculous street talk. It really grates, I can't listen to them talking for more than 5 minutes without wanting to stab myself in the ears.

Note, how I say London Resident not 'Londoner' - those that were born and brought up there like myself.

Oh dear, wouldn't most people count Londoners as people who live and make their homes in London? I know plenty of people who moved away who actually have lived here less time than me...

Want some salt and vinegar for that chip on your shoulder?