best areas outside of London to raise kids with good schools?

[mrart]

Hi everyone,
I'm completely new to this site, I'm so glad I found it. I am doing research on moving our family to London with my work, which is in Soho. We have one son who is 7, and I literally don't know anything yet about the school systems, or the best neighbourhoods to raise kids outside of London. We will need to live outside of London and commute in (Piccadilly station) and we're hoping to get a commute that is not too long! We also have a large dog, so will need somewhere where there is enough space for a dog, parks to walk to, etc. Can you help me narrow down some suburbs that are great for kids, have good state schools, and aren't too expensive? Ideally it would be somewhere cute, with a main street with shops, coffee shops, etc., lovely neighbourhood feel. Any suggestions in where I should research? Thank you!

This thread certainly illustrates how hard it is. I am suggesting tube line on the Picc line if possible. others suggest further out on an over ground tyrain which is often the option too for people. I also suggest leaving the dog or finding a flat in Soho which takes dogs and renting in Soho - lots of London parks around to walk dogs in there and you will get a decent flat in Soho for £3k.

How about Cockfosters/Southgate/Arnos Grove area? It would be an easy commute on the Piccadilly line, and there are lots of parks nearby. I haven't lived there for literally decades, though, so I don't know what the vibe is these days. But here are a couple of properties well within your price bracket:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-56260977.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-56054427.html

yes, good - other end of Piccadilly line from my suggestions but equally a good choice. I think if I were coming from away from London I would probably want somewhere further in like Acton particularly as hte budge of £3k a month is quite high.

The biggest issue is there are very few landlords indeed which allow any pets at all.

" finding a flat in Soho which takes dogs and renting in Soho "

that sounds like the best suggestion yet tbh.

Yes, if you rent in Soho you might be lucht enougg to get a place at obe of the local State schools, easier if your child is out of the infant years. Some children will have left the a schools at 7+, and infant class size doesn’t apply fir the junior years.

Nothing helpful to add in Afraid but £3000 a month rent. Ouch!

Walthamstow village at the end of the Victoria line, commute to Oxford Circus/Green Park? Or Northern part of the Bakerloo omitting Wembley/Harlesden? Maida Vale or Kilburn Park have lovely areas.

Ha,

" finding a flat in Soho which takes dogs and renting in Soho "

that sounds like the best suggestion yet tbh.

Yes finding a flat in a block where the head lease does not prohibit pets! You could be looking for a very long time. Very few leases dont take steps to protect residents from a potentially noisy dog. If you have dogs you need to look for a house. Pity because there are some good primary schools in Soho and for secondary Kent Grammars should be within reach.

Thank you so much everyone. Looks like I have a lot of areas to research. I appreciate your help.

needyourlovingtouch
Is £3000 not a lot? I clearly have no idea what the prices are like there. Or is that a decent amount? I assumed I'd need to pay that much :)

£3000 is a fairly high sum. Most people who can afford that level of rent who are here for the long term usually buy. you can certainly rent a decent flat in Soho for £3000 but also somewhere like a whole house in St Albans (very fast trains into London) www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-66698767.html. You would probably like St Albans as it is a very nice area. I have a relative who is living in Soho by the way and I was there last weekend. There is a lot to be said for living right in the centre like that with a short walk to work.

Dont forget it will be rent+fares+after school care.

I am a strong advocate for Central London living. Its fun, you save an awful lot of commuting time, and it is great to be able to go to the nativity play/sports day etc and then into the office without too much disruption.

I think the OP simply means outside Central London. London is an exceptionally green city abounding with parks and commons and canal paths etc for exercising a large dog, so much of zones 2-4 would be suitable - the SW is particularly full of expats and locals who fret over the best private schools, so consider if you want that experience or not.
Given the dog, I would make use of any relocation service you are offered so they can call round estate agents rather than you having to do it.

In answer to your questions about being outside of London, I’ll be honest that I’m still learning what “outside” of London really means. I meant just not in the heart of the city, so that we’d have grass and parks and good schools. I don’t want to be in the country and far from everything, but just outside of the hustle and bustle. I was also told to look at Crouch End, but is that too far into the city? Basically I need somewhere where there are lots of kids and it’s safe to roam the streets without it being too “city”.

Crouch End is OK, no tube you see , so a little quieter than some places.
Another place near there that you might like is Muswell Hill.
Also Highgate.
All of these places have good primary schools although it might be a bun fight to get a place, I don't know.

*that is not say it doesn't have good transport links. There are buses and an overground station at Crouch Hill and Harringay.
Muswell Hill is quite 'villagey' so are Highgate, and Crouch End.

If you’re working in Soho you could walk up from Charing Cross which would open up your travel options to places like Blackheath and Greenwich which are excellent for children schools and tons of parks for dogs. You’ll also have the option of cross rail from Woolwich to Tottenham Court Road soon as well. Food for thought.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-66975706.html
Short commute

Are you from the USA.? There’s a large US community in Cobham, Surrey. It’s ticks all your boxes and there is the American School too.

Tufnell Park
kentish Town
Dartmouth Park

All near Hampstead Heath for the dog, there isn’t a bad state primary in the area and easily commutable by tube, bus or bike to Soho.

Crouch End and Muswell Hill are Nice but aa they have no tube commuting involves getting on the tube at Highgate, or getting the bus to Finsbury Park.

Mary19's link seems to meet the criteria as long as they will take a dog. I think you want to be in London (not out at St Albans or even out in tube zone 5 where I live -I live not at all far from the Picc Line but it is a lot of stops and about an hour door to door often for me so not what you are after). I agree you should consider living in zones 2 and 3. Perhaps also try to find somewhere with a large expatriate community from your country - I am assuming you are from abroad - London has loads of areas like that.

If I had £3k to spend on rent I would spend £2k on rent and £1k on a good private school but it may be you don't like fee paying schools and secondly may be the rent budget is provided by the employer and must be used on rent.

Can I place votes for Pimlico, Waterloo/Southwark,
Bloomsbury/ Clerkenwell border
Edges of centre but still walkable to office
Green space/ river walks. State schools good.

Guildford. 30 minutes into Waterloo and great state and private school options