moving to London from the U.S. with 7 and 9-year-old children -- where to live?

[juanitacocina]

Hi, and thanks in advance for any help/advice anyone can give -- there is so much to try and figure out from so far away!

My husband and I are relocating to London this summer from the U.S. with our 7 and 9-year-old children, and are looking for nice, family-oriented neighborhoods with easy access to City of London (Aldgate station) for his work.

The schooling situation is making my head spin as I understand it that we will have to find a school that has spaces, and that most good schools will be full. I also would like them to be in the same school to make the transition easier. With the jump in the cost of living of moving to London, we can only afford to look at state schools at the moment.

We would also like to be in an area where we can meet like-minded people -- fairly liberal, smart, creative types, but also other people with children. And I would like a few good cafes and pubs to go do within walking distance, as well as some green space.

We're willing to squeeze into a 2-bedroom, seeing as it's London, but we're moving from a 2,400-square-foot house in the US, so I don't think we can go down to something like 550 square feet. A 3-bedroom would be more ideal.

We are currently all over the place in terms of what we're looking at: Belsize Park, Harpenden/St. Albans, Blackheath -- and I would love any thoughts anyone has on any of these or other neighborhoods that would be good for our family.

Also, any advice anyone has on how to navigate schools, and how to find out which schools have vacancies, would be much appreciated. My understanding is that you can't officially apply until after you've moved, but it would be nice to know if there is a school with openings near where we're looking, or to look near where there is a school with openings.

Also, does anyone have any experience on renting with a dog? We'd love to bring ours, but can't tell if it's practical.

Thank you!!

You've had some good suggestions already; I'll add one more. In your position I would look at Wembley Park. There are direct trains to Aldgate on the Metropolitan line, the Barn Hill area north of Wembley Park station is a nice residential area, and Fryent Country Park is on the doorstep. AFAIK there are some good schools, but I don't know about available places. You'd be able to get a much bigger house or flat than if you lived more centrally.

There's a big redevelopment programme going on around Wembley Stadium with lots of new restaurants, shops and other facilities, so I suspect the area's appeal is growing. Historically it's been a kind of nondescript area - OK but not fashionable - but I think its character is changing and it's becoming more vibrant.

Just another suggestion - good luck with your search.

Wimbledon is lovely, great links to the city, loads of green space, family orientated, good primary schools, theatres, bars, restaurants .. Even a village and horse riding.. I know a few families who haves moved to wimbledon from the US and have been very happy... Good luck wherever you choose, it's an exciting new chapter!

Wimbledon AFAIK is great but not sure about school places. There are a few private schools but state (non fee paying) I'm sure are bound to be oversubscribed. The town centre is medium so has enough shops to be useful.

I would also look at Surbiton, Kingston-upon-Thames, New Malden, Sutton etc - all are great - slightly further out but 25 minutes to London Waterloo (then you do Waterloo and City line for City/Aldgate East).

Kingston is great for shops etc - a real market (ex market?) town with lots of shops, John Lewis, big shopping centre but you can also drive/train from surrounding areas.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Thames

You probably have this link already OP but there are 2 websites for expats moving to UK and more if you google:-

www.theamericanhour.com/

www.americanexpats.co.uk/clubs.htm

I don't think you will get anything in Belize park for that money. We live slightly more central but pay £1600 a month for a one bed. Wimbledon has some around £2000 for 2 bed, but 3 bed looking at more. For the size you want I would say £2500-3000 min in those central areas. Look in the east

Pretty much all the state primary schools in Richmond Upon Thames are rated outstanding and you will get your DCs into one, once you have an address and proof of living there of course, but it will be very difficult to rent something for your budget in Richmond proper which is the nicest part, imo. Maybe try Putney, Chiswick, Hammersmith? Parts of Mortlake might suit your budget better but then you are on the cusp of the catchment area for all these sought after schools. Twickenham (still RUT) might also suit your budget better too but you are getting further out though transport links are great and the whole area is fantastic. I would look at rightmove.co.uk. Put in your requirements then a 1 mile radius around Richmond and see what comes up. Good luck.

If you like Richmond area, East Sheen and Mortlake are lovely - between Barnes and Richmond and cheaper than either. Lots of good independent shops and cafes, a big Waitrose, plenty of families etc. Really good schools, nearly all outstanding ofsted. 20 mins on the train to Waterloo.

Schools:

www.richmond.gov.uk/home/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/primary_schools/primary_schools_in_barnes.htm

www.richmond.gov.uk/home/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/primary_schools/primary_schools_in_richmond.htm (top 3 in this too)

This is the sort of thing you could rent

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-42154462.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-29360337.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-42885319.html

Ah I know someone lives Chiswick and also Barnes and they both love it but they earn loads...

Twickenham I know an ex-colleague of mine moved there last year and likes it with wife and baby son.

But beware certain places have been flooded recently... esp Twickenham.

I strongly suggest a look at rightmove.co.uk to get an idea of prices.

We moved from the US (NYC area) to St Albans in 2009 and we love it. My DH also works in the City of London so we needed to be on a good train line for that and the First Capital Connect/Thameslink line is great for anywhere in the City.

As for schools - yes they are mostly very good. Some are over-subscribed and the housing around here is expensive and family homes get snapped up very quickly when they go on the market, but if you're prepared to pay London prices then you shouldn't find the housing prices here too shocking and if you're decisive you'll find something.

As for Harpenden, yes it's a lovely small town. My best mate lives there and she loves it. Her eldest son is at one of the primary schools there and she's very happy with it. The train takes 5 mins longer than from St Albans, which is negligible, so it's really just a case of which you prefer - St Albans is bigger and bit more diverse, Harpenden a bit more chic, but fewer shops on your doorstep and a slightly older, more genteel feel to it IMO. They both have lovely parks for walking and countryside on the doorstep and are really close by car, so moving to one doesn't mean you don't get to enjoy those amenities.

If you want specific info, please feel free to PM me.

P.S. Getting into London with the kids from St Albans or Harpenden is really easy. I have a six-year-old and a two-year-old and I manage it! It's only 20 mins on the train and you can always take a cab from St Pancras to wherever you're going if you don't fancy the tube. With a 7 and 9-year-old though it would easy.

juneau - I forgot about that but I was in St Albans last summer visiting friends a few times and it is nice and train v quick.

I have only been to Harpenden a few times a long time ago but St Albans seemed fine to me for amenities, shops etc and my friend is an Occupational Health Worker there.

In SE London, the Hilly Fields area of Lewisham borough is lovely.

Bromley borough has some nice spots too but isn't especially hip or anything. Lovely houses in the Shortlands area of Bromley though and schools good too I believe.

Both are worth a look on rightmove (the best property website!!)

Oh and both Hilly Fields and Shortlands are well connected to the centre via overground rail / Thameslink which is good for access to the City as others have said.

St Albans is really lovely too though.

Shortlands house for rent - £1500pcm: www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/44699996

No advice on areas in London, but have moved from west coast of USA to UK with a dog. You don't need to quarantine anymore. Instead you get your dog chipped, with an EU standard chip (has to be 15 digits, not 9 like most American microchips). Once chip is in, the vet gives a rabies shot. Start the process early, in case your vet is unfamiliar with it. The vet then have to sign a couple of forms and send them on to a USDA vet to get them endorsed. The forms have to be endorsed within 10 days of your expected arrival into the UK. Just before your flight, your vet will have to give a tapeworm treatment, and also a bill of health for the airline. DEFRA have lots of info here www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad and were also very helpful when we phoned them.

We flew our dog over with BA. They're treated as cargo, so the cost is based on the weight of the dog plus the kennel. Depending when and where you're flying from, some US airports have restrictions on transporting animals due to weather extremes. Once they're here, Heathrow animal control takes them in and processes them, and releases them to you a couple of hours after the flight. We were very nervous putting ours on a plane because he hates loud noises (and pretty much anything that falls into the category of change), but he was fine.

We were lucky to be able to stay with family when we got here, as finding a landlord that would take him was a pain. Are you or your husband able to fly out and spend a few days looking for accommodation two or three months in advance of the move?

back to Kingston and the surrounds (if they haven't washed away) - great area but don't underestimate traffic, driving anywhere is a nightmare at peak hours. If you are commuting to London (also not fun) you need to be able to walk to the station.

tfl.gov.uk gives the fares, which will also frighten you. They go up about 5% a year.

Thank you so much everyone! This has given us so many great places to start places that we didn't know existed! We are very taken with Putney, Mortlake, Barnes and Richmond, and also Crouch End and Muswell Hill, though they seem to be a bit pricier. But we are also still looking at Blackheath, which seems to be the least expensive I would love to hear any additional insight or experiences anyone has.

And thank you Aghaidh and Shakshuka, for your insight on traveling with dogs! Aghaidh, I'm wondering if your dog flew with your or separately? We are not sure yet if we're going to take our dog -- it sounds like it will make life difficult, and we have family members who would take them, but I think it would be hard on the kids to leave them behind.

Also, thank you MomorMum for the locrating website -- very helpful in addition to rightmove!

Does anyone know of a site where you can see which schools have spot open? That's part of what seems so difficult is that you can't just look for a school with a good rating and move nearby you need a school with a good rating that also has spots available. And since I've got two children, it makes it that much more difficult I don't want to split them up at two different schools.

And just to make sure I understand -- catchment areas mean nothing if I'm not applying for a reception place, right? Other than maybe bumping us up the list?

Thanks once again!

There is no central database of available places at schools. You'd have to contact each local authority/council but even then a place now could well mean nothing in a few days as that place could be taken by someone else already on a waiting list or moving into the area, before you are ready to apply. Waiting lists are ordered by the same criteria as new applications so may well be siblings (ie if one got in your ds may then be first in line for his year group), catchment/distance etc but again the order may vary form one area/school to another.

I would look at sidcup or Bexley village .....you will rent a family home for 1500 and loads of great primary and secondary schools. Just a short drive to black health. Ok not as liberal but I think the kent people are down to earth and friendly. Maybe an hour commute but peaceful...and did I say amazing schools.

juanita - the areas you mention in your latest post are indeed all v nice but they're also expensive.

Do a search on each on Rightmove.co.uk and you'll see that you'll barely get a two bed flat for £1500 a month in most / all those areas - even Blackheath would be a struggle. Is that your absolute max budget per month for rent alone? If it is, then consider some of the other areas mentioned. Crystal Palace and Sydenham are other areas is to consider. They're quite far out in the SE of London but they have the East London line and pretty good amenities and CP is quite arty too.

We moved to London from Canada and originally were looking at Richmond and East Sheen.

We found Wimbledon much more affordable (and that's where we ended up) but I have to say that after being here for 3 years now, in hindsight, I would have chosen Putney or Fulham. (Wimbledon is absolutely fine and has a great community feel, the kids slotted in really well and I've made lots of ex pat friends).

Fulham and Putney are closer to central London (I'm sure you will want to go in every now and then, there's always so much going on) and also closer to Heathrow (which is the main airport we use). Sometimes the traffic makes getting to the airport stressful!

Just thought I'd give you my experience! Good luck with your move!

One more thing, once we had an address, then we could submit the form for school placement with the LEA (local education authority). They were the ones who told us which schools had places.

Blackheath is gorgeous but v expensive. Easiest way into City from there is probably the DLR from Lewisham, otherwise trains are pretty inconvenient.

Definitely look at Sydenham, Crystal Palace, Honor Oak Park etc, lots of nice bits with good travel and pleasant green spaces. Also consider Sutton/Carshalton/Wallington - tons of good schools, lovely parks, nice family vibe and surprisingly easy to get into London. FCC/Thameslink runs through here, plus trains to Victoria and London Bridge, plus the Overground starting at West Croydon and the Northern line at Morden. We moved here three years ago for all those reasons plus affordability and we couldn't be happier :)