Love SW11 - where else in London should we move to?

[ladydanger]

We're an overseas family looking to move back to London in 2024. We previously lived in Wandsworth SW11 (between the Commons) which we loved, however getting priced out and considering other areas to live with a similar feel. Obviously being overseas also means we're unable to pop over and look around in person which would've been ideal.

We have two kids (6 and 4) and need to be within catchment to good state primary and secondary schools. Ideally we would also want to be within 10 mins to a tube / train line and within catchment for schools but is this wishful thinking?! Neither my husband or I grew up in London so we're still navigating the school system as well.

Would love some opinions on where else in London has a similar feel to SW11, where we could get a 4 bed house for £1.3m.

Have you looked at SW14?

Richmond/Kingston direction? Excellent state secondaries. Most people who live between the commons use private options.

It will be quite difficult to move close to a primary & secondary though.

The problem you're going to have is getting the kids into the good local state schools out of cycle. Most good state schools in London are oversubscribed with tiny catchments.

Most good state schools in London are oversubscribed with tiny catchments.

that’s not strictly true, London primaries are suffering falling rolls due to so many families leaving London & less dc in general. However I think that trend isn’t the case in Kingston.

https://amp.theguardian.com/education/2023/dec/16/primary-schools-in-england-close-merge-and-shrink-as-pupil-numbers-fall

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/london-councils-say-their-hands-are-tied-on-falling-rolls/

SW15 or SW19

Also a lot of the “best” secondaries are single sex &/or faith which many people don’t like.

Would be Wimbledon for me.

Budget would buy you a nice family house

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86465763#/?channel=RES_BUY

My friend bought between the Commons a 4 bed for 1.4m in the summer so I think you might find something for your budget if prices fall this year.

What was it about the area that you particularly liked? What do you mean by 'the vibe'?

BTW the house linked to in Wimbledon would be an awful buy. It's currently a HMO - house of multiple occupancy - which means you'd have to spend loads of money converting it back into a family house, and it's on a VERY busy road.

Try Furzedown. SW16/17. Great primaries (Penwortham and furzedown) and good secondary (Graveney).

Yeah that Wim road isn't great.

Try Furzedown. SW16/17. Great primaries (Penwortham and furzedown) and good secondary (Graveney).

I like Tooting but Furzedown isn't really between the commons vibe, particularly the bits near Mitcham!

It’s true in Kingston too.

Yeah - I recognise it won't be easy but hoping to be put on waiting lists at least if they are full and keep my fingers crossed something comes up!

Good point - I should've articulated in the original post (which I can't seem to edit!) but the key things we liked were: access to a nice high street and into central London, green space (eg both clapham and wandsworth common, battersea park a bit further), family friendly and a nice community.

£1.3 is our absolute ceiling but this would be the dream...!

Thanks for this insight - much appreciated!

We looked at Wimbledon but actually seemed pricier than SW11... 😢
Will have another look though.

SW15 (Richmond I believe?) - seems just as, if not more expensive if we wanted to be walking distance to tube as well as high street.

Less familiar with SW16 though - are there any particular areas (eg pockets / streets) you would recommend? 🙏

@Heathbear interesting.

I hadn't, but I will! Any particular area/streets you would suggest?

SW15 is Putney and it’s on the tube.

Less familiar with SW16 though - are there any particular areas (eg pockets / streets) you would recommend?

The best parts of SW16 would be out of budget (Balham side) & don't really have great secondary state schools nearby, plus tube would be a 20 minute walk. Personally I would avoid Lambeth as they are badly affected by the falling school rolls.