Where to live in London? Primary school.

[FromJpn]

We are going to move to London from Japan at the end of this year.
I have 5 years old girl (turning 6 in November) and 3 years old boy (turning 4 in October).
My daughter is going to school Year1 from September, right? And is my son going to Reception from next September? (now Nursery, right?)

Could you tell me which area in London (if possible, easy commuting to the central would be lovely) has great primary schools? (except Ealing and Acton… I‘ve heard that there are so many Japanese in that areas and I wanna avoid to live…)

Please give me some clues🙇🏻‍♀️ Thank you.

Walthamstow. I live and teach there so can vouch for it. I can DM you if you’re interested.

Most primary schools in London are ok. There’s been a lot of effort put into them.

What’s your budget? Because often the most popular schools go hand in hand with the most expensive areas.

Housing budget and where you need to commute to / what kind of area you would like to be in important where.

As a pp said - there are good primary schools all over the place!

Other than primary schools what else are you interested in terms of a place to live? Eg do you want somewhere with a lot of stuff going on (restaurants, cafes, art, music, etc), or do you prefer somewhere more quiet?

Walthamstow / East London is more 'happening' and trendy - lots of young people and activities, but also a higher crime rate (though it's usually not a huge issue - just more of a feeling of needing to be more vigilant). If you want more of a vibrant energetic London feeling then this is a good area.

I moved from East London to East Finchley, North London, as was looking for an area with good schools, more quiet, and low pollution. We're very happy with the choices of schools here. It took a while to get used to the quietness (nothing happens here!), but I really really like it now. There are lots and lots of beautiful parks that are great for kids. It's also very safe and I don't feel on guard all the time. It has a nice community feel. There's less competition for schools as there's an older demographic. And transport is easy on the Northern line so you can access proper London very quickly.

Do check catchment areas - some schools you need to live very close to in order to be eligible. I've used this website before to check https://www.locrating.com

There are decent primary schools throughout but you are looking for an In Year place for dd which will limit your options as many schools will already be full in that age group and need to apply for your ds Reception place by mid January 2026. Where is work or anywhere you want easy access to?

Camden primary schools are all good or outstanding. Lots of in year places due to low birth rate and families moving out. Easy commute to central from most parts with the Northern line (or walking/cycling in the more central parts).

Thank you for your reply.
Walthamstow! That’s new to me. I’m going to look it up! Thank you so much.

Thank you for your reply.
Budget for the rent?
I’m not sure yet, but around £2500-3000?
I’m so surprised that the rent in London is sooooo high😂

Thank you for your reply.
My husband’s office is located near Bond street station and Great Portland street station.
We prefer quiet and safe area with a lot of nature.

Thank you for your reply.
I prefer more quiet place with some nature.
Is there many Japanese living in East Finchley? East Finchley sounds good for children. If there is not that much Japanese in East Finchley, then I will google it!!! Thank you.

Thank you for your reply.
Yes, I know…😢
To apply for the Reception by mid January 2026 is also quite difficult…😭 Because I’m not sure yet when we are leaving Japan to London💦
My husband needs to commute to around Bond street station. (His office is going to move in November. But the location of the new office is not decided yet😅)

There is a Japanese school in Ealing, which is why there is a big Japanese population in that specific bit. The rest of ealing has a very different demographic so I wouldn't write it off. Maybe look around Northfields? (though I'm intrigued why you don't want to live near Japanese people?!)

Thank you for your reply.
Is the rent in Camden also quite high😂? Actually I’m interested in that area!

Thank you for your reply.
Northfields! I will google it! Thank you.

I and my husbands want our kids to learn English and British culture and make local friends. But if there are so many Japanese around us, it’s going to be quite difficult to do it… That’s why😂

Not your question I know but we just used a company to help us find office space who took into account all the places that the staff had to commute from who might be helpful if your husbands company is still looking flexyouroffice.com

Good luck with your home search, you might want to look around Wimbledon and Earlsfield as well. Lovely family area, lots of good schools and green spaces as well as an easy commute to central London.

Have a look at places along the Jubilee or Central lines as that will give good access into Bond Street area

If your husband needs to get to Bond Street, think about an area close to an Elizabeth line stop - easy, quiet and air conditioned 😅

Have a look at Rotherhithe/Canada Water - central, on the Jubilee Line, loads of parks, city farms, docklands. Easy access to museums and all the fun things in London, but also very quiet for being so central, and much more affordable than lots of places.

Your son will be in nursery not reception….

I think there is a big Japanese community in Golders Green. It’s nice there near the Heath.

@FromJpn - East Finchley doesn't have a major Japanese community, but there is a big community nearby in Golders Green. So you'd be distanced, but at the same time be able to access the Japanese supermarkets / restaurants if you wanted to.

Ealing borough has lots of good schools, a few Elizabeth line stations (so 15 mins to Bond Street) many parks, rent in your budget. The population is 370,000 of which 2700 are Japanese…

Kingston/Richmond

Green, on the river, by beautiful Richmond park, and commutable. Richmond more expensive, but much nicer. Kingston larger and more diverse, but much more mixed in terms of nicer parts of town to live - most prefer north Kingston (KT2).

Huge range of good/outstanding schools in both - Kingston possibly pips Richmond for education though I think, and affordability. Commute easier from Richmond. Surbiton also worth a look.

Southfields. Wimbledon Park. SW19

East and North Finchley, good primaries, good secondaries and a good sized Japanese community but not too much that you would just be with japanese people.