To want to live in london?

[Amy700]

We've been living out in the sticks for hubby's job but have the opportunity to move to london and I want to go. We would have a combined income of about £100-120k plus £500k for a deposit (enough to buy an entire house in most other places!) we live in a nice 4-bed house here and have two children in private school. Hubby thinks moving to london would mean giving up our 'lifestyle'. I'd be ok with putting the children in state school but I do want a decent house in a nice area. Hubby thinks you can't get that in london on our finances. Is he right?

Pebblesandsea I’m not sure you’d find much in any of those areas for their budget and a 4 bed!

Surbiton still counts as London. It’s zone 6. Sure technically it’s surrey but so is Richmond...

But moving to Morden isn’t really living the London dream! If you’re going to move to London you should at least look at the nicest areas to see what there!

where is hubby going to be working - if city then you need to live within a commutable distance - greenwich, canary wharf, blackheath are all pretty nice.

Pebblesandsea I would t move to Morden nor did I suggest it lol but it’s pointless looking in areas that are nice but over budget.

Agree with middleclass they would likely have to go for a flat in the nicer zone 2/3 areas which I don’t think the OP wants.

I love living in London with kids. We live in zone 2 (22min door to oxford st) on a fair bit less money than you (approx £75k gross). But we're in a flat (2-3 bedrooms, small garden). Couldn't afford a house here but love the lifestyle too much to move to the suburbs yet.

By living in our commutes are quick and free (run & cycle) and we have so many great things to do on our doorstep.

We wonder the opposite to you, should we go rural? But can't quite convince ourselves the space is worth it.

We wonder the opposite to you, should we go rural? But can't quite convince ourselves the space is worth it.

I’d said no.

say!

You should think about Wanstead.

Check out High Barnet and north Finchley.

Go for it. London is a fantastic place to live. Look for a few slightly outlying areas with good connections for work. Good luck & welcome to the hood

MiddleclassProblem This house is most definitely in Putney and near both Barnes and Putney Stations. I live in Putney very near the Dover House Estate which is one of the earliest garden city type estates (the house pictured) and the large blocks of flats you are thinking of are nowhere near but in Roehampton itself.

Sutton etc are as “London” as the other places you mention pebbles , just different geography, and mainly less swanky!

Yes, for many it’s a choice between a flat in London or house outside. DH and I disagreed on this, he won the argument and we moved out. Do enjoy the better housing, but the commute is really hard long term and bad for health and relationships IMO!

Pollution and services of all kinds are the main things we’ve found to be better outside London.

Something else you might also want to be aware of OP is Council Tax costs. Borough of Wandsworth is the cheapest bar Westminster. So this includes Clapham, Battersea and Balham (houses would prob be too expensive though) Putney, Tooting Southfields, Earlsfield and parts of Wandsworth itself. Wherever you choose - welcome to London - best city in the world (and I've lived in a few!)

Some examples:
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/17075137?search_identifier=faf688faee0781ec072722fcf9a37d4c#BBoIpIvvVIuB7xt7.97

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/46297137?search_identifier=aa406e6b6701bfa3e5da878e073e6f60

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/47700263?search_identifier=aa406e6b6701bfa3e5da878e073e6f60#YcbCuLBmy4G0idRO.97

sunshinesupermum the flats are just up the road. It might just be in Putney but locally it’s nearer Roehampton (5 min walk be 20 min walk) than Putney. There’s not much around there. Sure you’re behind big houses on Roehampton Lane but that’s about it. That road is so busy. I know that area very well.

I just think compared to other areas and with a DH reluctant to compromise then it’s not that great an option particularly compared to others thrown up. It’s not that close to a station but you do have good busses...

Hampton:
Cleves Way, Hampton
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64961041.html

Whitton:
Nelson Road, Whitton, Twickenham, TW2
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64339270.html

Sorry, sunshinesupermum not trying to slag off your area but I’m not sure it’s what OP is looking for.

I would be wary OP of mortgaging yourself up to the eyeballs. I know you earn good money, but interest rate rises/redundancy could make things tricky.

SW London is a great with very good schools. Depends how far out you want to live really and if you'll need access to trains on my or you'll prefer tube as well. I'm on zone 3 and it still take me almost an hour to get to work.
House will definitely be smaller with smaller garden, all school fees, incurance, council tax and most of your bills will increase.
I belive overall your lifestyle will drop but perhaps it's still worth it for your family.

I'd be looking east on the central line for ease of commute. There are so many varieties of "nice" in London it's hard to know what you'd be happy with.

Mile End tube: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53213595.html

Leytonstone tube: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54514182.html

Living in London/Surrey/Kent zone 4-6 suburbs and commuting into central London is not living in London proper imo. Lots of cool stuff is about experiencing the instantaneous whilst walking around or seeing things on a bus ride to work/school. I think if I wanted the sort of lifestyle OP is after I want to live in Hampstead, Camden, Shoreditch, Hackney or Westminster. A 4 bed house in those areas will cost at least £1million and I’d add on £200-500k if you want to be in the catchment of the most desirable state schools

Yes, the “London dream” probably costs even more than OP’s budget!

Loads of areas on the outskirts of London that are leafy, lovely, have excellent schools and easy commutes well within your budget. Try Kingston, Surbiton, Norbiton. Look in Sutton and Kent for excellent free grammars (maybe Essex too?) I love london too and would miss not being close to it.