Where should we buy? Fulham vs Highgate

[CluelessNewbietoLondon]

Dear London parents We are moving to London soon and hoping to buy a place where potentially we can stay for 4-5 years with a future newborn. Our budget currently allows a 2 bedroom flat and we are exploring Fulham and Highgate/Crouchend border ares (10min walk from Highgate station).

Which one is better for starting a family?
For our work, I will be working near Hammersmith and my husband works near Old Street.

I gather Fulham is a big area and that Parson's Green area is the nicest area. Is there any particular patch/ street/ zone in Fulham that are nicer or not as nice?

Highgate seems to have lots of greenery on the google map but I'm worried it might be too quiet and that I may feel isolated when I become a newbie mom in future. (also commute from highgate to Hammersmith seems far.. but I've been told an hour commute is the standard in London?. I hope I will survive this :S )

My husband and i are both new to London so we are asking for advice from mumsnet. Help! Thank you.

Crouch End is nicknamed 'Nappy Valley'. LOADS of mums and loads to do with littles 👍

Oh really? That's reassuring and really helpful to know. =) Thank you !

Hammersmith/Fulham area will be easier travel wise to both locations. Highgate to Hammersmith is a longer commute 50 minutes, reliant on one branch of Northern Line. Hammersmith/Fulham to Old Street 40 minutes, several options if the tube goes down on one line.

I have lived in both areas and preferred Fulham to raise a family. I did raise my kids there when they were little, lots of parks and play areas, good primary schools, near to the river. There is a great children's centre near Parsons Green called Rays, the library is good. Most of Fulham is fine, just some of the big council estates are not advisable as the leasehold costs for owners can be costly and there are some antisocial behaviour issues.

Fulham - closer to central and Wedt London attractions, easier commute, good schools. It's true lots of people have a long commute in London but we have a 20 min walk and it's far less stressful - other people have a longer commute because they can't afford to live closer or won't consider apartment living.

I would consider areas closer to the tube.

Is it just 4-5 years from now? I wouldn’t worry too much as schools won’t matter, so pick somewhere you like the look of. Personally I find both a bit dull, and more small town than proper London. I would move somewhere a bit more central if you have not lived in London before. Highbury/Canonbury would mean your husband could walk to work. There are also some lovely flats on the Old St/Angel border by the canal, but I’m not sure what your budget is

Experience in both areas:

Fulham feels younger, with more high streets. Parsons Green is much nicer than some part of Fulham (e.g., nearer to north end road or west kensington area), but price differs quite a bit, and everything within Fulham is more or less close by. Downside is District Line, it's one of the worst (keeps stopping, doesn't arrive that sort of thing). Fulham is very close to Hammersmith so easy commute for you

Highgate feels much more green with larger parks, older population. Crouch end is pretty bad for commute as no tube/train. Bus rides are pretty unreliable (meaning they can take long and get very crowded). If closer to Highgate station, it's very lovely

If you like to go out a lot, I would say go for Fulham, close to Chelsea / Notting Hill and lots of young families. If you appreciate vast greenary and beautiful village feel, go for Highgate. Both areas are very nice to live in

Thank you ! Everyone seems to have very positive experience in Fulham so I'm leaning more towards Fulham area. =)

Yes.. we can only afford a 2 bedroom flat.. and once we have kids, and if we get our parents to take turn to look after the kids when my husband and I are both working.. we figured we would only be able to live in a 2 bedroom flat for 4-5 years as the baby will eventually need his/her own room.. so that was my logic thinking we probably only be able to live for 4-5 years. We also have a car so we are trying to stay in zone 2/zone 3 if possible.

Thank you!
I plan to spend a day in each area to see what it's like!
Fulham seems to have more options and more shops/amenities compared to Highgate so I'm leaning more towards it despite I love the green space in Highgate! I guess I will just have to go down to London and spend a day in each area to get a feel of it :S.

Thank you for the tip on the nicer areas in Fulham! I will try to find somewhere as close as possible to Parson's Green.

Thank you! leaning more and more towards Fulham =)

Highgate is lovely and nice schools if you wanted to stay in the area. Beautiful Highgate woods and Hamstead Heath on your door step. Waterlow park is also lovely and I have nice memories of taking my young children there.
Fulham I would feel less safe in, but that is because of experiences I and others have had there (muggings and car thefts mainly).

If your parents are going to be looking after the children don't you need to factor that into your decision?

I live in North London and would never consider commuting to Hammersmith so think Fulham would be a better choice.

@OhamIreally I live not far from Highgate and I agree that Fulham sounds better for OP's situation. Highgate to Hammersmith would be a pita. You don't need to move to nappy valley type places yet, get yourselves over to London and get to know your way around while you're still independent. Don't factor in kids just yet and, when you do, Ealing or Chiswick might be better

Highgate / Crouch End area is amazing if you have a baby. So many mums and family orientated but it's a really long commute to Hammersmith. You're going across the whole of London

I wonder which area did you choose?

Yeah, we decided 25mins was the max we’d commute. More than that is a real drain, and puts one parent on a very short leash, needing to be close to nursery etc .
better to choose a location close to work.