Where to live- Family of 4

[OztoLdn]

Hi,
We may be moving from Sydney to London very soon, we are a family of 4, with two kids aged 10 and 7.
We would like to live in zone 2 or 3, in a family friendly area, with parks, good state schools and with a variety of shops, eateries at walking distance.
So far, I have identified the following areas, Ealing, Acton, Chiswick, Clapham South, Balham and Tooting Bec.
Are these good areas? Which one would you choose if you could?
We will be working near Moorgate/Liverpool St and St Paul Station.
I have been told that the Northern line is very busy, crowded and with no air con, is it that bad? (Commuting 2/3 days per week)
thanks!

[MamaBearsss]

If you’re needing to get to Liverpool St station I’d look East and North East for a 20 min commute!
walthamstow
highams park
wanstead

[TeachesOfPeaches]

Look along the Elizabeth line. Ealing and Liverpool st station are both on there and the trains are brand new with air con.

[OztoLdn]

Yes, that’s why Ealing is on our list, seems like an easy commute for both of us.
Is Ealing a nice area for a family?

[muddlingthrou]

I grew up in Ealing. It's extremely family-oriented. It used to be a bit boring, but has improved in recent years (better shops/restaurants, more young professionals). If you can afford it, I'd look near Ealing Broadway and Pitshanger Lane. The parts around North Ealing and Ealing Common are more suburban feeling. Good luck!

[fonfusedm]

Whats your budget & plan re schools?

[TeachesOfPeaches]

And yes, commuting on the northern line is revolting - especially in summer

[Namechange357]

The northern line is horrendous in rush hour.

Elizabeth line is lovely. If you can afford it I’d look around Ealing Broadway. Towards Hanwell also nice and family friendly, but much more affordable.

Chiswick gorgeous, but much more expensive, and transport links not as good.

Acton far more gritty.

West London so much nicer than East London (and I’ve lived in both)!

[OztoLdn]

Our budget is £3,000 we need 3 bedrooms, a 4th would be ideal.
Kids will go to state school.

[fonfusedm]

I would investigate schools first as you may struggle to find primary & secondaries (assuming you need to apply soon) both with spaces.

With your budget you will probably struggle in some of the places you mention. You could try Tooting?

[OztoLdn]

Can you recommend other areas in West, South West (Zone 3) with good state schools ideally not oversubscribed, variety of shops, safe, and a commute of maximum 45 mins to Moorgate St/St Paul.
We are flexible with location at this point as long as it meets the above.
budget is £ 3,000 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms
we have been to London before but only as tourists so we are finding this difficult.

[fonfusedm]

primary schools will likely be fine due to falling birth rates but secondary is the tricky part. Whereas there is loads of excellent primaries the same isn’t true of secondaries & many people in SW London chose private or leave London. Like I said Tooting may be an option. Perhaps you need to look at outer zones eg 4/5? Longer journey but there tends to be more school options.

[crew2022]

Would you consider Greenwich area?

[muddlingthrou]

OP you will never find a place with three bathrooms, sorry! At a push you'll find somewhere with a bathroom and lavatory.

[OztoLdn]

Sorry, that was a typo, I meant 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms.
Would consider any area a this point as long as it meets the criteria above :)
My daughter will go to high school in 1.5 years so we need to consider both primary and secondary schools.

[Starseeking]

I used to live in Clapham about 10 years ago. The southern end of the Northern line was horrific back then, I imagine it's even worse now. I wouldn't live anywhere south of Kennington if I was commuting in. The train platforms are also this bizarre thin strip in the middle instead of being proper platforms; with the amount of people it used to really unnerve me.

I live in West London and would recommend Ealing, followed by Chiswick. Chiswick is actually wonderful, but transport links aren't that great, plus it's £££. Depending on your budget, you'd actually get more for your money in Acton, which is next door to Chiswick and nice in parts, awful in others.

Ealing is best for transport links; Elizabeth line, Central line though it's pretty pricey, you'd need at least £1m to buy a decent 3 bed in the nicer areas, though obviously you get one for less if you go for ex-council.

Hanwell and West Ealing are cheaper and still on the Elizabeth line, I'd say Hanwell is more family oriented as i fins West Ealing has a bit of a transient feel to it.

[fonfusedm]

@OztoLdn would grammar or faith schools be feasible? That gives you more options

[fonfusedm]

I used to live in Clapham about 10 years ago. The southern end of the Northern line was horrific back then, I imagine it's even worse now. I wouldn't live anywhere south of Kennington if I was commuting in. The train platforms are also this bizarre thin strip in the middle instead of being proper platforms; with the amount of people it used to really unnerve me

Clapham South, Tooting, Balham, etc don't have the strip

[fonfusedm]

I think you will have to compromise on something as you wont get the space, 45min commute, excellent secondaries for 3k.

[fonfusedm]

This would work for schools but is a bit dated

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143657048#/?channel=RES_LET

[Wictc]

Wanstead? Family friendly, good schools and easy commute to Liv St and St Paul’s. Leytonstone might be more affordable for you.

Hornsey is an easy commute to Moorgate, but might be out of your budget.

South west doesn’t seem practical for a city commute, but you will find lots of fellow Australians in Acton and Clapham!

[OztoLdn]

@fonfusedm

@OztoLdn would grammar or faith schools be feasible? That gives you more options

Yes, we are catholic, both kids baptised so that could be an option.

[BIWI]

South Wimbledon/Colliers Wood?

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/details/66239713/?search_identifier=a546bc6157d4534acd422edea049ee7d0607ebcb7270723ead449e69d0a00058

Good local state schools (primary and secondary) and also you're towards the end of the Northern Line, so you'll get a seat - at least going into town in the morning!

Northern line is a lot better than it used to be, and frequency of trains is really good - generally one every 2 minutes.

[BroughttoyoubyBerocca]

I loved Ealing, great transport and easy to get onto motorways and Heathrow. Also like Holland Park.

Greenwich is very nice, Wimbledon a bit over priced. St Margaret’s by Richmond is v nice.

[BIWI]

Four bedrooms here, in Merton Park. Very close to South Wimbledon tube, but also great access to the tram, and Wimbledon station (District line tube and overground trains into Waterloo)

[karmakameleon]

I live on the northern line and it’s fine if you get on at Tooting, Balham or even Clapham South. Plenty of green space, restaurants etc. For schools, lots of places at good/outstanding primaries but most people do seem to go private for secondary, although parents I know at local state secondary schools are perfectly happy.