To belive that my children are having a great childhood in London?

[mrsruffallo]

Annoying woman at parent and toddler grouip today.
She was noisily proclaiming her intention to leave London before her child turned 5 as it's an awful place to grow up!
I said if not here, where?
There is so much to do, lovely green spaces, much better than being stuck in the middle of nowhere
Turned into quite a lively discussion

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

Me too, BigTilly - I want them to go away

[BigTillyMint]

Wheelsonthebus, all the central London museums are free, and there's loads of them.

And there's loads of other free places and events.

And you can get 2-4-1 deals, money-off vouchers, etc. I am the queen of the free / cheap day out in London

[blacksmith]

was born in london, raised for a few years then we moved to the 'burbs/commutersville. god was i bored as a teenager! and rebellious and a drunken arse.

moved back here after finishing uni and would/could not live anywhere else. 15 minutes and i'm in town, 20 mins the other way and I'm walking the chilterns.

I like to visit the country, for a bit, but couldn't live there, much prefer coming back to my multi-cutural home.

Happy parents make a happy and loved child, so wherever makes you happy.....

[BigTillyMint]

Jamie, I'm glad it's not just me who wants them to go away!

Anyway, all you people who live in the countryside, what do you when you want a quiet, relaxing weekend AWAY from home in the countryside?

[wheelsonthebus]

bigtillymint - you're right. my dd has just got this thing about palaces and those family friendly audio guides, but we need to find cheaper alternatives!

[BigTillyMint]

Have you been to the V&A and the Geffreye museum? They have lots of interiors stuff and family earphone / backpack thingies, and they are FREE!

[hatwoman]

"15 minutes and i'm in town, 20 mins the other way and I'm walking the chilterns." does that just count train times? i used to have a 17 min train journey to "town" but door to door it was 45 minimum to actually get anywhere.

[ooojimaflip]

I grew up in London and I am great, therefore London is clearly a great place to bring up kids.
IWBNFA.

[hatwoman]

oh and i so agree at the going away to uni. love 'em dearly but i sure as hell hope (for them as well as me) that they don't want to go to uni locally.

[blacksmith]

15 mins by train to paddington or 20 mins drive up the A40/M40 to the Chilterns - although i do drive a bit fast

[bluebump]

I grew up being envious of my cousins who ALL lived in London and we lived in a small village but I did have a lovely childhood. My cousins all grew up pretty streetwise and I was the complete opposite (still am) but I never really had to be! Even now I get a bit envious of their lifestyle and their jobs but I have had plenty of opportunities to live in London. For me I think it's that my whole family grew up and/or now live in London and it's always been this big exciting place - at least I have plenty of places to stay when I fancy a visit!

[junglist1]

I love London. My children will grow up knowing that not everyone is white and wears wellies everywhere. I'm from Tottenham which is very deprived but the people are the most down to earth you'll get anywhere. And bailiffs get jittery round here which is hilarious.

[Bumblingbovine]

I grew up in central London (admitedly many years ago) but I liked it and felt like I had a lot of freedon, especially as a teenager. It was easy for me to get to places wby public transport from an early age so I didn't need to rely on my parents to take me in the car.

It had it's downsides I'm sure (what doesn't) but I loved having lots to do that was within easy reach.

[drosophila]

What I don't like about living in London:

The dog poo everywhere

The Police knocking down the door next door.

The Police closing down all the roads around my house as armed gunman on the run - later found in Nursery garden.

The cost of living.

What I like about London:

The huge range of people. Was at a party recently where there were people from France, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Ireland and Italy.

The parks.

More broad minded.

The River Thames.

People are friendly - honest.

[BigTillyMint]

thesecond, we had no family "support" network at all in London before the DC were born. We made loads of friends when they were born and we are each others support networks now.

But if I had to move out of London, I would only consider Manchester

We have no family there either!

[BitOfFun]

Liverpool is even better than Manchester, because we do have a beach

[Habbibu]

"I love London. My children will grow up knowing that not everyone is white and wears wellies everywhere." But apparently they'll know nothing about the rest of the country where people also aren't all white and don't wear wellies? Are you kidding?

[letsblowthistacostand]

London is my favorite place I've ever lived (San Diego, Chicago, NYC) and I think my kids are so lucky to get to grow up here. We just moved back after a stint in the american suburbs. Our house was massive, tons of bedrooms and bathrooms etc but the area was so boring! Our next door neighbor was british and he loved it there. When he heard we were moving back he was horrified that our 2 DDs would have to share a room. "I could never do that to my kids" he said. What a boring git.

We've been back 3 weeks and have had more social interaction and FUN than we did in 14 months in our giant stupid house. The girls don't mind sharing at all.

[misssurrey]

But why are people that live in London 'more broad minded'? Eh?

[junglist1]

So now you're telling me that the majority of country residents aren't white?? Don't be silly

[Habbibu]

Meh. There are rivers everywhere. And if you live in any uni town, there sre people from all over the world there.

[Turniphead1]

I love London. I love the fact that my kids think that walking is the default mode of transport (my family are from northern ireland and although live in the most stunning countryside go everywhere by car).
I love and use the museums. I love (the potential to use) the theatre. I love the parks and the mix of people. I love the fact that your own little corner is a "village" and I know loads of people through the kids.

I hate the litter and the parking restrictions (although the latter is probably why I walk so much. I hate the fact that secondary school is going to be an issue even though we have the most amazing state primaries all around.