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Black Mumsnetters

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Best places for diverse, professional families near London?

78 replies

Paniconthestreetsof · 20/07/2025 13:33

Cross post with AIBU, as I didn’t know there was a Black MN Board!

DH and I currently live (very happily) in Zone 1. We’re now looking to move for more space (house + garden), access to green space, and good schools. Budget is around £1.5m.

We’re after somewhere that’s:

  • Genuinely diverse, especially with a visible Black community (we’d rather our children weren’t the only ones in their class)
  • Made up of a range of middle-class professionals, not just super high earners
  • Family-friendly, with a relaxed feel and decent access to central London a few days a week

We’re not from the UK originally and don’t have ties outside London, so wide open to ideas.

Worth saying upfront: well-meaning replies like “it’s not very diverse but everyone’s friendly” or “there are lots of Asians here” aren’t what we’re after. We’re specifically looking for places where Black families are part of the community, not just tolerated anomalies.

If you’re Black or mixed race and living somewhere you love outside Zones 1–2 (especially if you moved from central), I’d love to know where you are and what you like about it.

OP posts:
Idunkia · 23/07/2025 01:10

BeRubyLurker · 23/07/2025 00:35

Remember many are escaping from tribal wars and disputes.

Okay, we have now descended to the level of farce. I’m going to bed. 🤣

@berubylurker I was wondering how long your resilience would last. Because what????

"I know the op wants black people to respond. Why?

How dare the OP, a black woman, want to hear the lived experience of people like her?

She can get that information from black communities, churches, embassies, and other organisations. She can look the areas up on landline sites, or the electoral role and look at the surnames."

I mean black people all have a type of surname.
From @llizzie first comment it was obvious.

Starseeking · 23/07/2025 01:16

Ealing is great. Central Ealing (W5) is £££, west West Ealing (W13), and Hanwell (W7) you’ll get more for your money, plus good diversity and great schools.

I’ve currently got my eye on this, however it’s about £200k overpriced because it needs about £400k of work doing to it!
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/164765093

Check out this 5 bedroom house for sale on Rightmove

5 bedroom house for sale in St. Stephens Road, Ealing, W13 for £1,250,000. Marketed by Dexters, Ealing

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/164765093

llizzie · 23/07/2025 01:16

Idunkia · 23/07/2025 01:10

@berubylurker I was wondering how long your resilience would last. Because what????

"I know the op wants black people to respond. Why?

How dare the OP, a black woman, want to hear the lived experience of people like her?

She can get that information from black communities, churches, embassies, and other organisations. She can look the areas up on landline sites, or the electoral role and look at the surnames."

I mean black people all have a type of surname.
From @llizzie first comment it was obvious.

That's the last time I try to give anyone the benefit of my experience. Obviously not wanted, though I would have liked to have had the opinion of the OP.

Onemorenamechangeagain · 23/07/2025 01:36

Idunkia · 23/07/2025 01:10

@berubylurker I was wondering how long your resilience would last. Because what????

"I know the op wants black people to respond. Why?

How dare the OP, a black woman, want to hear the lived experience of people like her?

She can get that information from black communities, churches, embassies, and other organisations. She can look the areas up on landline sites, or the electoral role and look at the surnames."

I mean black people all have a type of surname.
From @llizzie first comment it was obvious.

Ignore Lizzie, she's the "I have black friends" type who omits to mention that the "friend" is a Candace Owens clone 😆

Meandmyhamsterheadagain · 23/07/2025 07:01

I would say both St Albans and Harpenden are areas that are not quite the diverse area you are looking for.
Luton down the road from them is very diverse, but there's only certain areas that would be more middle class.
That said, there's lots of villages outside of Luton, towards Milton Keynes that have more diverse populations than you'd think and Bedford has some lovely areas too

Opine · 23/07/2025 08:25

@llizzie What experience???

GreenSedan · 23/07/2025 08:29

Take a look at West Harrow. Very diverse. Great community feel. Lots of interesting professionals. Nice housing stock. You'd get a good house for your budget there.

BrentfordForever · 23/07/2025 15:50

Starseeking · 23/07/2025 01:16

Ealing is great. Central Ealing (W5) is £££, west West Ealing (W13), and Hanwell (W7) you’ll get more for your money, plus good diversity and great schools.

I’ve currently got my eye on this, however it’s about £200k overpriced because it needs about £400k of work doing to it!
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/164765093

That’s one of the best parts of Ealing - super cheap place considering the area!

scoobysnaxx · 23/07/2025 15:52

Steelworks · 20/07/2025 16:02

I’d say Harpenden and St Albans are predominantly white, and are wealthy, high earning towns. However, they have the feel you are looking for in terms of somewhere to live.

Agreed these are definitely very white areas

llizzie · 23/07/2025 20:10

Idunkia · 23/07/2025 01:10

@berubylurker I was wondering how long your resilience would last. Because what????

"I know the op wants black people to respond. Why?

How dare the OP, a black woman, want to hear the lived experience of people like her?

She can get that information from black communities, churches, embassies, and other organisations. She can look the areas up on landline sites, or the electoral role and look at the surnames."

I mean black people all have a type of surname.
From @llizzie first comment it was obvious.

No, black people do not have the same type of surname. That is not what I said.

The OP is looking for somewhere to live, outside Zones one and two in London, with a predominantly black community.

She does not, however, say what black community she is looking for. Does she want West Indian Community or African community? What religion does she want the black community to be? There are so many permutations.

Not all black communities are the same, are they? How can anyone reply to her question about where they are and are they happy? If they are black muslim, they will be happy in a black muslim community. If they are of another religion, they would not be happy in a black muslim community, would they, and vice versa? There are enough black community organisations, clubs and meetings to satisfy most black people, I would have thought.

That is why I suggested she concentrate on finding a community which suited her social standing and education in the first instance, rather than an almost dedicated black community.

I didn't want to pry and ask about her race or religion, but I did suggest that if she looks on the ELECTORAL ROLE of a place she is interested in, that will give her the surnames of everyone registered to vote, and from the surnames, she will know if they are black and the country of their ancestors.

It is a good way of discovering like minded people if you want to choose colour over education. In my experience, I would say look for homes at the price you can afford where people are of the same socially and educationally, since a good school is on her list too. I would be very surprised if her child was the only black child in a school nowadays.

I suggested a new build estate, where everyone will pay the same or similar for a new home and everyone will be a stranger at first, and that helps. I have moved into three new builds out of the five I have bought. Everyone was new to everyone else, and they were mostly of the same social standing and education, such as university degrees, at least one in a house.

There is more likely to be equal finances too, if the homes are mostly of a price. I am very surprised at the new buildings which are going up in and around London, more than I thought at first.

If the OP does not like my suggestion, it doesn't matter one way or another. I do think, however, that posters who are not the OP should be rather more polite when they say they do not agree with something. My advice is free: take it or leave it.

llizzie · 23/07/2025 20:17

Opine · 23/07/2025 08:25

@llizzie What experience???

It is unlawful to ask people questions about themselves.

llizzie · 23/07/2025 20:19

Paniconthestreetsof · 20/07/2025 13:33

Cross post with AIBU, as I didn’t know there was a Black MN Board!

DH and I currently live (very happily) in Zone 1. We’re now looking to move for more space (house + garden), access to green space, and good schools. Budget is around £1.5m.

We’re after somewhere that’s:

  • Genuinely diverse, especially with a visible Black community (we’d rather our children weren’t the only ones in their class)
  • Made up of a range of middle-class professionals, not just super high earners
  • Family-friendly, with a relaxed feel and decent access to central London a few days a week

We’re not from the UK originally and don’t have ties outside London, so wide open to ideas.

Worth saying upfront: well-meaning replies like “it’s not very diverse but everyone’s friendly” or “there are lots of Asians here” aren’t what we’re after. We’re specifically looking for places where Black families are part of the community, not just tolerated anomalies.

If you’re Black or mixed race and living somewhere you love outside Zones 1–2 (especially if you moved from central), I’d love to know where you are and what you like about it.

New build homes and developments for sale in London


Zoopla
https://www.zoopla.co.uk › New homes for sale

Search new builds and developments in London with Zoopla. Find your perfect new home and set alerts to stay ahead of the latest listings.

Laughlikeadrain · 23/07/2025 21:01

Another one to say South east London is best bet. Lots of middle class areas you are looking for, with a mix of professionals, and also diverse.

was going to suggest East Dulwich - depending on size of home you’re looking for, 1.5mil could get a decent family home.Or Herne Hill?

Paniconthestreetsof · 23/07/2025 21:10

Well, this has gone off the rails. I did hope that a thread on Black MN would avoid the ridiculousness of AIBU, but that was clearly naive of me!

To be clear: I didn’t want stats, I posted here explicitly for Black and mixed race opinions, and there are no circumstances in which I would contemplate a new build estate. Literally none.

@llizzie Everything you’ve said on this thread has been awful. I dread to think what was deleted. Please stop.

Thank you so so much to almost everyone. We’ve compiled a shortlist and will begin reconnaissance this weekend!

OP posts:
Sunshineandoranges · 23/07/2025 21:14

There are some really nice parts of Croydon. I’m white but have always been impressed with the feeling of ease amongst people. Several private schools if that’s your desire but very good state schools too.

Ddakji · 23/07/2025 21:18

Paniconthestreetsof · 23/07/2025 21:10

Well, this has gone off the rails. I did hope that a thread on Black MN would avoid the ridiculousness of AIBU, but that was clearly naive of me!

To be clear: I didn’t want stats, I posted here explicitly for Black and mixed race opinions, and there are no circumstances in which I would contemplate a new build estate. Literally none.

@llizzie Everything you’ve said on this thread has been awful. I dread to think what was deleted. Please stop.

Thank you so so much to almost everyone. We’ve compiled a shortlist and will begin reconnaissance this weekend!

Don’t write off East Dulwich - it’s not in the same price bracket as Dulwich Village!

Higgledypiggledy864 · 23/07/2025 21:55

I am white (understand you're not after my opinion) but please add Peckham and Camberwell to your list! I've lived in both and both are great places to live with significant, long standing black communities.

llizzie · 23/07/2025 22:06

Paniconthestreetsof · 23/07/2025 21:10

Well, this has gone off the rails. I did hope that a thread on Black MN would avoid the ridiculousness of AIBU, but that was clearly naive of me!

To be clear: I didn’t want stats, I posted here explicitly for Black and mixed race opinions, and there are no circumstances in which I would contemplate a new build estate. Literally none.

@llizzie Everything you’ve said on this thread has been awful. I dread to think what was deleted. Please stop.

Thank you so so much to almost everyone. We’ve compiled a shortlist and will begin reconnaissance this weekend!

Thank you for explaining to me what you are looking for,

I do wish you well, and hope that you find a location where you will be happy.

4cHairhelp · 02/08/2025 11:36

Hi OP, would you consider Peckham? Perhaps something like this?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/163750793#/?channel=RES_BUY

East Dulwich is in your budget. For something close to the station, perhaps this:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/164861543#/?channel=RES_BUY

If you want a large garden, it's worth checking out the Honor Oak/ Forest Hill end (although it would be around a 20 minute walk to the station).

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/164796617#/?channel=RES_BUY

I've lived in both and was happy. Peckham is more diverse.

Paniconthestreetsof · 16/10/2025 23:03

Hello! Just popped back to update, in case anyone was interested. We’re moving to Brockley. 🙂

OP posts:
Tigerbalmshark · 16/10/2025 23:16

Paniconthestreetsof · 20/07/2025 18:10

Dulwich is absolutely lovely, but I’m not sure we have Dulwich money, unfortunately!

If your budget is £1.5m then you definitely do.

Tigerbalmshark · 16/10/2025 23:17

Paniconthestreetsof · 16/10/2025 23:03

Hello! Just popped back to update, in case anyone was interested. We’re moving to Brockley. 🙂

Oh my brother lives there, it is lovely. Nice houses, great schools

Starterlocs · 16/10/2025 23:19

Good luck with the move, I hope it goes smoothly!

Ihavenoclu · 24/10/2025 01:17

Great choice. Welcome to Brockley - I have pm'd you