Barnes/Mortlake or Wimbledon: which is better?

[Peka]

Hi there,

New to mumsnet so please excuse any false steps... I have posted this in the Merton thread too to get both sides of the story.

Can anyone help with their opinions? We are currently considering moving house either to Barnes/Mortlake (a shoebox near lots of green space and great schools) or a spacious house in Merton Park area of Wimbledon (Wimbledon Chase catchment) - which, in your opinion is better?

They're very different.

Barnes feels quite villagely
Mortlake more london-y

Buses and trains are pretty good in both which is something to bear in mind when you have teenagers and you don;t want to be running them around non-stop.

from what I know of it Merton park is very suburban.

So it depends what kind of life you want really.

Thanks Kewcumber, good point - what about East Sheen?

I would quite like an interesting life but not in the Brixton-shooting kind of way...

I lived in East sheen for a while, feels Londony. Lots moreproper shops than Barnes or mortlake and lots of buses and trains. Good primary schools not so great secondaries at the moment but improving.

I don't need to worry about secondaries yet (although I know it comes around quickly!). I presume you're in Kew? How would you describe that?

Kew is leafy village-y with the benefit of a tube so 20 mins from Victoria but with the south circular running through the middle. But I love it.