American family moving to London with 3 little kids...

[Arty3542]

Hello all!

I have no idea where to post this... My husband and I might relocate to London at the beginning of next year. He has a job opportunity in Covent Garden. Our kids are 6, 4 and 2 years old. We will be moving from the NYC area. We are very excited but I'm very nervous at the same time. I'm so worried about being isolated and lonely.

Which area is best for American Expats? Do we try for a church/Christian school? Do we attempt to apply to the American School? I heard this is very hard to get into. Will we be in for a culture shock? Do you think it will be easy to make friends with people? Only asking because a couple people told me it's very hard to make friends, the British keep to their own. I didn't know what to say to that and thought it was a bit silly.

AIBU? ;)

Thank you in advance!

My parents moved from near Richmond in the early 70s, they found the planes so bad! I have no idea why people think living in Richmond is so great. We were going to stop for an al fresco drink in Kew aft going to Kew Gardens one time, but you literally couldn't hear yourself speak when the planes came over.

Even here in SE London the planes wake up visitors who aren't used to them, and if DD wakes up when they start in the morning that's game over for me getting back to sleep.

You do get used to it but it's worth knowing that unlike most major airports the planes approach Heathrow over the city (they follow the Thames).

Thanks for the info re the parking. I'm hoping that I can get rid of my car once we get settled there. I don't see the point of the expense of the car in the area I'm going.

Thank you... This is really really helpful, ladies! We definitely do not want to be woken-up by planes.

BackingVocals, I'm so glad you are invested in where we will live! I've only been to London 3xs and do not know the neighborhoods well.😳

I think we're narrowing down the neighborhoods which is awesome!

If you all plan to visit or move to NYC, I shall be your personal tour guide.😜

Well, funny you should say that, I don't quite buy into the 'don't tell people how long you'll be here cos they won't befriend you if you're not here for long' line - quite apart from actually liking people - you're from NYC! If you move back and stay friends it's a great opportunity for visits across the pond!

RiverTam... Tis True!
We could be in London for 2 yrs, 4yrs or longer. It's such a wonderful city!

DD is desperate to go to NYC, she thinks she'll get to meet Alex, Melman, Marty and Gloria at the Central Park Zoo (is there actually a zoo there?). I've only been there once, in summer 2001 for 3 days, but I absolutely adored it, we walked about for 8 hours on our first day.

Yes! There is a zoo in Central Park. It's nice. Nothing like the Bronx Zoo but really great to take the little ones to.

Excellent. We have a zoo here too, you can see the giraffes from inside Regent's Park.

I'm a born and bred North Londoner and love living here. Welcome. I personally find it really friendly, especially with small children. I live in Islington and find the provisions for children outstanding. We live on a much lower budget than you'll have available and have a good standard of living. Your budget certainly gives you choice. I worked in Hampstead for years and DH lived there when we met, we then moved to Camden and now Islington. My choice (as evidenced) would be Islington for community feel. I've got plenty of American friends who seem to have settled just fine. Hope you enjoy your time here.

Thanks, Redinthefacegirl. :-)
Is there a certain part we should look in Islington?

Is it not a good idea to visit London at the end of July? I know that's when the schools' 6 week summer break is. We hope to meet with education consultants, look at a few schools, visit several neighborhoods, and meet with a relocation agency/real estate agents.
Still considering moving before the new school year but it might be tight.

I live in Stroud Green, which is North Islington and more affordable (not far from Crouch end which is Haringey & also nice). With your budget I'd look at Highbury and Angel (and they'd be quite convenient for your London church branch). I'd leave Old Street and Hoxton to the younger crowd. Kings Cross and Caledonian (cally) Road are being rejuvenated but I wouldnt want a young family there personally.

I think a visit would be a great idea! Might see you at hearts last fair well meet up if the dates match. I am very excited for you all I think you will love it here.

I used to work near Finsbury Park in Islington and I wouldn't want to live there.

My ex-boyfriend was from Tuffnel Park and his area was lovely. A lovely community. I haven't been there for a few years!

If you're hoping to visit schools at the end of July, will they still be open?

I live in Paddington and there are some lovely places to live near here. For example, Paddington Basin and just a bit further north, or Notting Hill. Not sure of prices. We're not on the Piccadilly Line though

Thanks again, Redinthefacegirl!

Gowgirl, for sure! If we do visit London at the end of July, I will PM you! As well as many others :)

CeilingLight, I don't know. That's what we're worried about. We hope to still at least meet with an education consultant and would hope to tour the schools. Maybe end of August is better? Or first week of July?

I'm not really sure about independent schools, but state schools in Islington start their summer holidays on 21 July, for example. It's worth checking with your education consultants whether they think it'd be possible to visit schools once the holidays start. It might be better to come in early July. I think everything will be shut in August.

We only relocated from London to Manchester, but all the schools were essentially closed down from mid July until the start of September. So I would come no later than early July - and you probably need to book ahead by a few weeks.

Arty

Suburbs in UK are basically residential neighborhoods outside the very centre of the city. Inner suburbs (zones 1 and 2 on the tube map) are like east village, TriBeCa, Greenwich village. ues, uws, etc. Outer suburbs (think zone 3-5) are like Harlem, Washington heights and the outer boros. Suburbs like those in westchester country, Long Island, jersey would be out of London and into the counties of surrey, hertfordshire, Essex etc (and even then you don't get the same space)

End of July all schools will be closed. Outs break up 6th July I think, but that's private. State usually is closed by 20th July latest I think

However it is a good time to look around the city otherwise. Many people are also from other countries and use the summer holidays from school for a long trip back to family ( or to their summer home in Southern Europe). So on the whole the whole city empties out a lot ( only very centre has tourists added)

If you need the name of an educational consultant, let me know. Used to be the headmistress of an independent girls' school in fact she was Tatler's Headmmistress of the Year last year.

Oh ok, I got it now. Thanks pilpolini!

Yes, HeartsTrumpDiamonds... That would be awesome!

In Islington also look at Canonbury and Barnsbury.

Arty have PM'd you.

Also there is definitely going to be a London meet-up in July, probably on the terrace at Somerset House, probably one Saturday afternoon. Exact details are not planned yet but keep an eye on the Meet-ups topic if you are interested!

Arty, I lived in Islington (Angel and Barnsbury) in my 20s and live now in St John's Wood. I love Islington but think SJW is much better if you have children (imo schools are far better in SJW). Primrose Hill is another good option. Also Hampstead and areas of West Hampstead and Queen's Park. I am a North-of-the-river girl, so cannot comment on the South.

About being homesick, I am originally from Spain, in London since 1992 and I have never been homesick here; I can jump on a plane and be at my parents' in Spain in 2 hours. However I lived in NY for a couple of years, around 2000, and felt something like homesickness, related to the realisation that I could not get to Spain as easily... You can get whatever you want in London or NY or any other European major city; for me being homesick was just related to the fact that I knew I could not see my parents in a couple of hours, that there are not so many flights and that last-minute fares can be dreadfully expensive. But I did not miss anything material; in the countries we are talking about you can get everything almost everywhere. And if it is not the same brand/concept, it will be something very similar.

Thank you!😊

LaBruja, this advice is great. Our closest relatives, my parents, are almost 2 hrs away. The rest are scattered throughout the U.S. I'm trying to convince myself that homesickness won't be too terrible because our family is far as it is. But I know I will miss certain things about the U.S. I never lived in a foreign country before... I hope I don't feel uncomfortable. Did it take you awhile to adjust to a new country?

Also, do you mean there are good private schools in SJW or state schools? The American school is $34K per child. I don't think we can pay that for 3 kids! We are open to paying £10K per child though.

I have no idea what it's like to get the kids into a state school. Here in NYC, people try to buy/rent in a good zoned school. They usually have a seat for your child but I have heard some children are put on a waitlist. In most cases, the waitlist clears a week or so before the school year begins but there is a chance your child won't get a seat.

Is Chelsea and Kensington overly crowded? Do lots of families live in Notting Hill?

I've been checking out homes to rent on Rightmove. A thick green street is a highway, correct? There seem to be quite a few rentals closer to the highway. I would really like to be a few blocks walking distance to a large park, so the little ones can play and run around easily.