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.

@ladydanger you can certainly see and hear the planes but u barely notice them these days.

North Kingston is amazing and has excellent state primary and secondary schools. Bus into richmond for tube and overland or walk/bus to Kingston Station. Kingston or Richmond town centre with local high streets too. Lovely local environment and loads of access to green space (Richmond, Bushy and Home Parks all in walking distance) and on the river.

I grew up in East Sheen. I found the transport annoying and slow once I got a bit older and wanted to get into town. We frequently couldn’t get on the busier trains because they were too packed and I can only imagine it’s worse these days with the strikes. The traffic there can be really awful these days with the closure of Hammersmith bridge. You definitely get used to the plane noise and I simply didn’t hear it after I got used to it. It’s a wonderful place in terms of the park and Richmond and surrounding areas.
For better transport I would definitely look at South Park garden/old Merton Park/minster/battles area of South Wimbledon. Main line into Waterloo, northern line and district line for transport. Very good primary schools and outstanding secondary schools.

Thanks for sharing Notacottish - appreciate it!
I will look into those areas you suggested as well.

Hey Notacottish, South Park Gardens part of South Wimbeldon does look lovely! What are your thoughts on the streets closer to Pelham Primary (eg Hartfield, Gladstone, Russell). Prices seem a bit cheaper then so only assume it's not as nice (or on busier roads etc?)

@ladydanger we recently had a walk around of East Dulwich and loved it! I think it would meet your “vibe” requirements and easy to get to central London as well. I don’t have primary aged DC so not sure about schools but I have heard quite good things. We currently live in zone 1 but I am really keen to move to Dulwich! The main dulwich village road feels like you are in the country, it’s really lovely. North Dulwich / herne hill is also really nice (the area close around north dulwich station). It’s 15 mins station to station to London Bridge - but I hear that the trains can be a bit iffy.

I’m afraid the trains can be a ‘bit iffy’ for pretty much all of London these days.

@ladydanger hartfield road is definitely too busy so wouldn’t look there. Russell road is busier towards the broadway end so wouldn’t look up there but might be ok towards the other end. Pelham, Southey and montague would all be fine. If you want v quiet streets definitely look at across the other side of Kingston Road. So Shelton Road, Mina, boscombe, all of those are lovely houses and v quiet roads. As you say, the houses around South Park gardens are all lovely and those are v nice streets too. Lots of v good school options - holy trinity has places in year 3 and 5 I think, the priory, Pelham. Plus Ricards and rutlish both outstanding for secondary.

I agree with @Notacottish (and suspect we must be neighbours!)

Hartfield Road is really busy (it's the road that the house we commented on before is in).

Southey Road is where Pelham is based, so if you want to apply to that school, the roads closest to that would be best to look at. Palmerston, Russell, Gladstone and Montague Roads are all good, along with Pelham Road. Just beware that the closer they are to The Broadway, the busier they tend to be, with traffic and pedestrian traffic along The Broadway.

On the other side of Kingston Road is Old Merton Park. Shelton, Mina Winifred, Kirkley, Bournemouth and Melbourne Roads all worth looking at.

Anything south of Kingston Road seems to be cheaper - because although it's still SW19, technically it's not Wimbledon.

Balham is great! Close to a few commons and believe it’s within your budget. Could also look at Earlsfield?

I see the thread is a couple of weeks old now but in case the OP returns... loads of great suggestions from a transport and budget pov, and also to an extent primaries, but quite a few are pretty dire for good secondary school options. It's something to be careful for, especially across Wandsworth Borough.