HELP! Moving to the German School neighbourhoods

[leavingthedolcevita]

Hello, this is my first posting on Mumsnet. I am not strictly speaking from the UK but Sri Lankan and lived in Rotterdam (short period) Bruxelles 7 years and Florence 6 plus years have 2 kids aged 8 and 4. Husband is German and the consolation prize for him moving to the UK ( which for me is worth exploring as it's for all practical reasons a potential put-roots-down place) is that our kids go to the German School in Richmond. Pluses are that I have an aunt and cousin in Kew and one in the midlands and they grew up in Richmond and so are doing some scouting around for us. However, would like to ask the ladies a few questions.

1. What's the traffic like on Petersham Road in the morning? and given this factor would it make sense to live in Ham or Kew esp cos my husband may have to commute to hammersmith and loves to bike to work. ( even if he couldn't, would be great to give his Germanness the comfort of a bike ride on sunny days perhaps ;))
2. If I get my UK Solicitors' qualification - by sitting 2 modules as I am a lawyer with an EU LLM- then I would like to actively seek out work in the state sector, the council, working with geriatrics, community work, etc. or anything else going. Where could I start to look for possible or not openings, the likelihood of my work-dream happening. Are there any offices in Richmond or Kew I could speak to on our orientation visit from 17th-21st July. We have a meeting with the German School at that time.

Hope I'll be able to meet a few nice girlfriends over there and be able to get involved a little in down to earth community stuff. Any advice welcome! Cheers all !

Hi, sorry I can't answer the question about traffic on Petersham Road in the morning as don't venture there but I think it is fairly bad. I think Ham is a nicer place to live as far more green space and quieter (the planes are dreadfully noisy in Kew) and the chance of bike commute across Richmond Park and walking to school for your children - but not everyone will agree with me! Ham is a bit more cut off as no overground or underground station.

So far as your solicitor's qualifications and work go, there is no state sector around here anymore - LB Richmond and I believe LB Kingston Councils have contracted out all of their legal work to LB Merton so you would probably have to travel out of the immediate area to get that type of work. There are some legal practices in Richmond, Kingston and Twickenham but they will be doing mainly private client work like property, divorce, wills etc. But London is still a good place to get work as a lawyer so don't despair! Good luck. Maybe someone else can give more information on your questions.

Petersham rd traffic can be slow in the mornings, but if going by bike you have no problem. My husband cycles and it's a dream through the meadow and along the river! Also lots of bike racks at richmond station if he wanted to cycle and commute. Kew traffic probably similar? Ham is much better for German school obviously. Lots of Germans in petersham/ham and great German bakeries :) Good luck!

thanks for that encouraging note lightf. We will be around those parts later this week and looking forward to this rather interesting task of checking out neighbourhoods albeit at a superficial level which may not instruct us much. Hoping the showers will keep away till mid afternoon and my german husband can have a little sunlight on his contacts in the morning ;)