to want culture and safety for my children?

[lalaworld]

We live in the French Alps but will move back to the UK in 18 months. The question is where to?

Dh currently does a weekly commute so part of the motivation is changing that but also to give the kids an English secondary education.

We love the idea of moving back to London but worry about moving these rural Alpine kids (ages 8-9) into the heart of the city. That said, we'll still spend school holidays in the Alps so they will get their mountain fix.

We're lucky enough to have freedom to live in many places, and would love thoughts on our options or any other ideas. Basically, do we try to replicate our Alpine life in the UK or go the polar opposite and have Dh around every day in a tiny city maisonette.

So...

Tiny place, very central London - Holland Park, Pimlico

3 bed flat, Zone 2 London - Highgate, Hackney, Dulwich

Bath (with daily London commute for DH)

Brighton (with daily London commute for DH)

Further afield with a weekly commute still (considering Yorkshire, North Devon or Cornwall)

Thoughts?!!

Yes, Richmond, Twickenham, Wimbledon etc are nice.

I would consider looking at areas on the borders of London, either south west or south east.

The south east border with Kent has some lovely areas, Chislehurst and the like, where you are very close to London but still inhabit an area that has a fairly rural and village-type feel.

Chester? Beautiful city and you have Snowdonia on your doorstep.

Sorry nothing constructive to add!

What is an "Alpine life"?
Air quality in parts of Alps is worse than central London.

Brighton!!

Air quality in parts of Alps is worse than central London.

Seems hard to believe..... do you have a link for that statement?

Wow! Thank you so much for all the thoughtful and sage advice.

DH is currently working in Camden, so there is a 20 min tube trip once he gets into Paddington. His office may move, but it will always be central London. In Bath, we'd look for somewhere within 10 mins of the station, but realistically it would be a 2 hour commute (with 90 mins of that on a train which DH thinks he could use to work).

We'd thought about Winchester before so will revisit that option.

I guess emotionally, we're drawn to London. Either as central as we can manage, or somewhere like Dulwich or near Hampstead Heath. So it's good that this isn't totally mad - our concern was crime/kids growing up too soon/air quality. Especially for three who have grown up in the Alps.

We'll visit Bath this weekend as some of these comments are concerning (and look out for the hen parties!!). Plus some of the London options this week.

Oh, and we currently live in Morzine. For the questions about the Alps, this is a lovely place for the family, whether that's winter or summer. Close to Geneva, very kid focussed etc.

Thanks!!

Come to Islington/Hackney!!

I spent a lot of time not too far from there, around Passy and Saint-Gervais. My grandmother was the headmistress of a village school and it was pretty idyllic.

It's Passy and the Chamomix valley that have the terrible air quality. In 2012 the Eu threatened to sue Chamonix for endangering the health of their citizens. Google 'air quality alps chamonix' there is a good Guardian article.

Morzine, too, concerns about air quality from traffic on Tripadvisor.

I think you're underestimating the tube journey from Paddington to Camden. You need to take at least two, maybe three lines.

Sounds like you have your heart set on London, but if you do move further out I suggest you think about somewhere that goes into King's Cross or Euston. St Albans perhaps.

...by which I mean, at least one line may have delays, and your husband may have to wait around for a train. Also the Bakerloo line entrance at Paddington sometimes gets shut for overcrowding.

Kentish Town

Village near Market Harborough if you want rural, computable and good schools and nice town near by. No good if you want seaside though

Someone said Yorkshire to Londin 60-90 minute commute. Huh?

School places are going to be hard to come by in most of the places mentioned, if for September. You've missed the primary offer day and popular independent schools will have filled too. I'd focus on that first before getting your hearts too set on a location, I think (unless boarding is an option, or home education, if necessary?)

Do not move to the Southern rail route!

London

Sorry - you say 18 months I see. Bear in mind you can't apply into the state school system until you have a UK address and you need to apply by Xmas the year before (private is different of course, but not necessarily quicker!)

Still don't think Southern rail will be fixed by then though...

I live in the Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, Highgate area. It's such a beautiful part of London; quiet and leafy and hilly (vague Alps replication). If you can afford to live in nearby Hampstead, well, it's gorgeous, and 10 minutes from Camden.
Do kids really grow up faster in London? There's definitely a lot to do.! Maybe horse riding is a bit tricky. I think it's great for kids and teens, but in general London's becoming overcrowded and polluted. Money cushions from that to an extent.
I agree with anyone saying don't go anywhere that has Southern as its rail provider, unless your DH is a masochist.

Have you considered Hampstead? The Heath is gorgeous, with lots of open space, yet you are bear town

Leeds to London KX by team. Is around 2hr 15min!! Somewhere like Otley, Skipton or Ilkley might suit the OP, but the London commute would be hideous (add 30-60 mins for travel into Leeds).

York and Doncaster are marginally quicker to London. Sheffield, similar. I'm not sure there is anywhere in Yorkshire that is 60 mins to London (or even 90) even when the great white elephant of HS2 arrives.

Have they already got HS2 in Fairys version of Yorkshire?

Even Doncaster to Kings Cross is 90 minutes and that's probably the shortest possible time, but obviously need to add on time each end so unless you live next to the station, you're looking at 2 hours each way, plus £10k+ a year for a season ticket.

Yorkshire would suit the OPs needs if they wanted countryside, big cities of Leeds, Sheffield, York for culture, shopping, national museums, restaurants, city parks etc plus access to the Dales and the Peak District and could make it work for a weekly commute for DH. But unless he can do some of his work on the train or work from home some days, daily commuting is hugely time wasting.

I used to live in Alexandra Palace for 3 years, and it was the only time I didn't completely hate living in London. Muswell Hill and Highgate are also beautiful. Camden would be an absolute cinch to get to from there.
Hampstead is nice too.

It's been mentioned - but if you do move somewhere that requires a commute, just make sure it's NOT a Southern Rail route!