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!

Thank you so much everyone! I’ll be in London soon to check out areas and I plans to do a tour of the areas you have all suggested.

In answer to an earlier question, I am coming from the US, but I’m Canadian. Does that help with suggestions? Thanks :)

plan

I also work near Piccadilly circus tube. We live in Marlow and I catch the train in from High Wycombe (fast train takes 20 mins into Marylebone which is on the Bakerloo line to Piccadilly). We're in between 2 fast motorways (the M40 and the M4) and 2 train lines (one into Marylebone and the the other into Paddington). You're spoilt for choice in terms of transport. Bucks is a grammar area with great schools. There's a mixed grammar, William Borlase, here in Marlow or single sex grammars in High Wycombe. Our local upper, Great Marlow School, is fantastic too. (It's worth pointing out that the choo choo line that goes back and forth from Marlow to Maidenhead connects to the line that will become Crossrail eventually, but I expect I will continue to drive to HW because it's so fast.) As for your dog - it's in the Chiltern hills with lots of woods around the Marlow area. It's beautiful. Good luck with your search.

edingburgh is noice

Another vote here for Richmond upon Thames. Check out the Royal Parks on Google maps (though you'll need to keep your dog on the lead in deer birthing season).

this app tell you exactly where is within an hour's journey by public transport from soho (zoom out)

https://app.traveltime.com