Short commute to Battersea?

[Carson13]

Hi, we are an early 40s couple with 2 young kids (0 and 2) and considering moving to London.

Anyone have advice on good neighborhoods within 30-40 min commute to Battersea?

Under 3500 for a 2-3 bedroom would be great. But maybe can go as high as 5000 if it’s amazing (e.g. garden, large park, short commute, markets, etc).

Would be nice to have some ethnic diversity too.

Thanks in advance!

Um. Battersea? For £5k a month rent, or less, even, (that's what you mean, right, rent?) you could get a 3 bed in Battersea which is lovely, has a lovely park, and would definitely be a short commute.

Battersea, Clapham Common, Balham all have parks and are family friendly with classes for children, ice cream shops, coffee shops, restaurants etc. Clapham is closest to Battersea. You could walk, cycle or quick bus.

Yep I meant 3500-5000 for monthly rent. Battersea seems nice but I don’t know if I want to live in a high rise building. Although with babies (and we have a dog too actually), I could see how it would be nice, especially new buildings with elevators.

• Is Clapham busy with bars and nightlife? I’d like to live in an area with no rowdy club or bar goers.
• How are Wandsworth, Tooting, Kennington?
• 5000 would be the upper upper limit. I’d really like to be closer to 3500 if possible.
• And how much will this fancy life cost if I live in these areas and give my kids plenty of baby/toddler classes?

At that price-point, I'm sure you could rent a nice house or large flat in Wandsworth (which includes Balham, Battersea etc) so you wouldn't need to commute as such. I would look on Rightmove to get an idea of what you can afford.

• Is Clapham busy with bars and nightlife? I’d like to live in an area with no rowdy club or bar goers.

Clapham Common north side and southside are quiet residential areas. Off Abbeville Road also.

• How are Wandsworth, Tooting, Kennington?

Wandsworth approaching Clapham Common is convenient for Battersea. It’s quite residential if you’re not too close to the main South Circular road. Wandsworth town is nice but not great for getting on the train in the mornings. Tooting is busy. Can be a bit too busy. Traffic on high street isn’t great. Kennington is quiet but different vibe. Less to do than Clapham but good for getting into town easily.

• 5000 would be the upper upper limit. I’d really like to be closer to 3500 if possible.
• And how much will this fancy life cost if I live in these areas and give my kids plenty of baby/toddler classes?

It’s entirely dependent on what you want to do there. Look up classes and you can see the prices.

Kennington and Oval. Less ‘young sharers’ than Clapham and Balham. Lovely mansion flats in quiet streets. Great bus and tube connections.

Somewhere like this? Near tube to Battersea power station on northern line and close to great schools, parks and town centre
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/167836472#/?channel=RES_LET

Kennington is nice. Lots of families, easy to get everywhere being on 4 branches of the Northern Line. Decent nurseries and primary schools. Kennington Park is good and lots of little playgrounds around, a centre with cafes and the leisure centre at Elephant and Castle. A mix of restaurants and shops in Kennington and Elephant. Food from everywhere in the world locally, shops on the Walworth Road are useful. Lots of diversity!
Classes etc for babies less expensive than in Clapham I think, although I'm a bit out of date on baby stuff. No idea on the rental market but I recommend it as a place to live.

We used to rent a 3 bed house between the commons (wandsworth and clapham commons) for 4k a month about 3 years ago. I imagine 5k per month would still get you that now. It’s a great area for young kids and it is still Battersea so won’t be a long commute wherever you need to get to.