To want to escape the ghetto

[N15]

I have name changed for this for obvious reasons.

I live in a part of London that has long resisted gentrification, and has a stubbornly high (and rising) crime rate. Stabbings, and even shootings, are far too common. Neighbours have witnessed shootings, with their children. The local secondaries are seen as finishing schools for criminals, with a lot of gang involvement, and knives carried around.

I really worry about my children when they reach secondary school age. I would sooner home school than send them to the local secondaries, but I don't have the ability to home school due to working. I work as a junior doctor, but the wages are low, especially for London.

Any suggestions for an area with decent schools that doesn't break the bank? I would need 4+ bedrooms. Even open to buying land and building, anything to escape.

I cannot change the title, only MNHQ can do that. It's time to move on.

Why not ask them then?

Come to the Isle of Man, very peaceful, very safe and extremely low crime...and actively looking for medical staff! There are some disadvantages to island life, but in the main its a wonderful place to live.

OP you can get something really nice in North Finchley or, Southgate for £1m

Yesterday
https://www.facebook.com/reel/792710105729121

Yes, this is exactly what I am talking about when I mentioned the violence. This was in the daytime, on a busy road.

I have come across the aftermath of assaults like this. It's horrific. My children's friends have witnessed shootings. One was narrowly missed when someone was shot next to them. It's so traumatising.

For that money you can move to bounds green. Barely a couple of miles away. Keep your job still visit current friends.

Bounds green is a relatively safe area but generally out of reach budget wise unfortunately for the size required. Also, since the catchment of APS has shrunk it may not solve the secondary school issue.

OP, you keep changing the goalposts. There are plenty of 4 bed houses in North London in safe places within your budget. But now it has to be bigger, in a particular catchment area, etc. etc. How badly do you actually want to move? Because you can, if you stop putting up more obstacles.

Not changing any goal posts, just four beds with decent schools. I mentioned schools being an issue in my OP.

By size, I mean a 4 bed in that area is generally out of reach. I put these criteria in on rightmove and the only ones that came up were out of the area or required a fair bit of work (so going over budget with renovation). It's fine though, I will just need to look further out.

What specialty are you training in OP and how old.r your children? Which hospital are you working in now? Lots of north london homes under 1M on RM. I know a few agents in the area that would be happy to show you their stock.

I don't want to say hospital or speciality as it would be very identifying. The precise location doesn't matter either as we frequently rotate (generally yearly). I have a child going into year 4 and younger siblings, so secondary school options are very important

YANBU. We moved to Hampshire. It’s been brilliant so far, and light years away from the experiences we had - armed raids on the house next door, and more!- in SE London.

https://www.facebook.com/james.barton.3720/videos/634756998698617/?idorvanity=360309291847443

An example just around the corner from me, for people who doubt the issues in the area. Sadly this is far from an isolated event.

I'm glad you're leaving that area. The thought of you treating ordinary people from "the ghetto" and the images you have running through your mind as you do so is concerning. The sooner you find somewhere you can surround yourself with people you feel comfortable around the better.

@N15 can you afford private?

What about areas like Northwood or Watford?

I suggested Northwood too. Easy trip in on the Met Line. We're a few stops beyond in Chorleywood/ Rickmansworth. House prices are high but it's 25 minutes on the Chiltern Line to Marylebone (or you can take the Met Line to Baker Street). There's some excellent state schools here too.

Watford is ok, perhaps a bit rough in places (although nowhere near the issues she's facing now). If you go for the Cassiobury estate, there's a Met Line station, otherwise it's overland from Watford Junction to Euston.

Boss man's are brave, take their lives in their hands on the daily 😂

Unfortunately I can't afford private, otherwise staying out and private for secondary might be more of an option. Northwood sounds like a nice area but geographically may not be quite in the right area for work.

One of these geniuses stabbed their friend, as you can see by the hobbling out in the video.

And people still don't want stop and search.. unfortunately without it a significant proportion of youths here carry around knives, machetes or worse.

You are going to have to compromise somewhere along the line OP- if you really want to move- if it's that you really only want a very particular school or 4 double beds and close to rail/tube station and in great order - that may not be possible -

St Albans and harpenden are nice, easy to get to London. Still expensive but you'll fetch something decent with your budget

I realise I can't have it all. Part of the reluctance with moving is how little it's possible to get in London. Hence feeling trapped here, unless I moved well put of the SE to a cheaper area.

The anxiety I feel in this area regarding the crime is horrible. Providing first aid to victims of horrific crime on a regular basis on my doorstep is not what I signed up for.

There are plenty of ('nice') places in London that you could afford with your budget. Some linked to on this thread.