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?!!

Wimbledon - fresh air and space and a short commute

Swiss Cottage?

I would recommend Reigate.

Hampstead! The heath for outdoorsy activities. Easy journey to camden. And beautiful.

SpringDad

It's not just London. 59% of people live in areas with illegal levels of air pollution.

www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/22/nearly-40-million-people-live-in-uk-areas-with-illegal-air-pollution

Another vote for SW London - Richmond, twickenham, Teddington etc. Feels like you're out of London, so much space and greenery, but you're so close - Richmond is on the tube and a fast train gets to Waterloo in less than 20 mins. The trains aren't perfect but they're pretty reliable as commuting goes

To elaborate on my Kentish Town message - there is the fairly new French Academie there and it's only a few tube stops to St Pancras for the Eurostar, hence a huge, new French population. It's up and coming so a bit cheaper but still funky and Hanpsyead Heath is right there

Kentish town, Belsize park (if you can afford it), Islington, Kensal Rise, West Hampstead, Golders Green are all good. You can get to Camden/Central London very easily

Just move next to Hampstead heath! Hampstead, Highgate etc etc. Gorgeous, it's my dream to live there.

If you can afford it, then I've always fancied Hampstead Heath. It sounds as if you are drawn by London, but most people can't afford family accommodation in the nice parts. If you can then I am sure it is wonderful.

If you can't, then personally I would consider the more standard commute.

My point exactly. You want Dartmouth Park which is the posh end of Kentish Town right next to Hampstead Heath

I think some of the smaller cities outside London have more in the way of culture (class) and safety, London is becoming a bit of dive these days, nice for a day out but usually can't wait to get home (for some fresh air).

Yes they might be nice those towns but then they have the commute. If you can afford Hampstead Heath or Belsize Park or Highgate or Kentish town you're in such a nice green leafy hilly part of London. Or Ally Pally.