Moving out of London

[Sambkh]

Hi all,
would like some advice about options moving out of London. We are a mixed race family I am of Bangladeshi origin (born in London) and my husband is English from West Sussex. Our little one is 1 years old we are looking to relocate out of London but struggling to find where

We would require:

• Diverse area very important with diverse primary schools (I don’t want somewhere where my kid is the only one of a few mixed race kids in the class
• good community, young families
• vibrant
• green area where we can go for walks
• my husband needs to get in to Liverpool Street for work (1 hour max journey ideally less)
• down to earth not too snobby areas
• 3 bedroom

our Budget is 550,000 stretching to 600 for the right place and need a garden.

We would love to stay in London but I don’t think realistically with our price it’s possible.

we have considered Woking, Guildford, Epsom and maybe Sutton. Can somebody please offer any advice and any thoughts on the areas listed.

Thank you!

Do you need to commute back into London?

How about SE18 - Plumstead/Shooters Hill? It ticks every box and Lizzie line to Liverpool Street a doddle! Very diverse and you have Oxleas Woods on your doorstep.

Loads of young families and houses in your price band

Thanks Plumstead seems more affordable.
Is it a safe area to bring up children? It’s quite near Woolwich I really don’t like Woolwich. Also it’s a bit of a drive to Harrow (to my parents).

Anywhere on the Elizabeth Line outside London - how about Maidenhead? Reasonable drive to Harrow and direct into Liverpool St. Or even Reading?

Yes it's lovely, great schools and amazing community of young families. We have a 2YO and feel we're giving him a top start here. Plus option of grammar in Bexley for secondary.

Just to say Surrey is very ‘white’ British but there are many pockets with mixes of race and culture eg Woking. The train goes to Waterloo and then it’s a connection either via the Waterloo & City to bank and a walk to Liverpool St or the Jubilee line is an option. The train service has got worse over the years though and the cost of a season ticket gone up considerably. Schools in and around Guildford are excellent if that’s an option but it’s probably less mixed race than Woking. Plus it’s more expensive then Woking. Increasingly the university seems to have increasing proportions of overseas students so there are more races wandering around. But I suspect that’s a reflection of how all the universities now must run their businesses. The area is incredibly safe however.

If your parents are in Harrow, why not consider Hertfordshire? Your budget would get you a 3 bed in Rickmansworth / Watford (Cassiobury or Leavesdon have lovely green walks) / Croxley and it’s straight in to Liverpool St on the Met Line.

Thanks all for the feedback! I think I want to be closer to my parents really after much thought, not planning on having another one so want little one to see his cousins and family growing up. I think Rickmansworth is a good shout!

Can anybody tell me more about Rickmansworth, Amersham (all on the met line)??

What about Pinner is that affordable or way out of our price range I’ve seen some really good primary schools in Pinner area.

Thanks a bunch!

Woking is not bad it seems there is a bunch of mixed race families living in bunches. The downside is the cost of travel is really quite expensive.

I think after much thought the 3 most important things are:

1. My husbands commute
2. Living reasonably close distance to family
3. Good primary schools

Hi,
in very similar situation and looking at same areas. Would love to chat more if you wanted.

Will message you 👍

Have a look at Croxley Green OP. Lovely primary school, good range of secondaries. On the Met Line so can get to Liverpool Street easily. Good diversity.

Sutton is a dump wouldn't recommend.

I lived in London. Epsom is ok, surbiton and further out.
Your criteria is no doable.

If you want the diversity you need to stay central or go to South London.
I have family who teache in wembley.
There is an Islamic school just opened up near wembley very diverse.

Outskirts of london not so much.

You will havw to compromise on location (south london very diverse) or school preference

Thank you very much for your advice. Can you recommend anywhere in south london that has good primary schools?

I’ve heard Sutton is a bit of a dump actually do you know anything about New Malden because it has some excellent schools.

I’m not a big fan of Wembley my parents are from Harrow so we would love to stay in Pinner/Northwood but it’s waaay out of our budget.

Not Guildford, it’s extremely snobby and as white as it gets.

Not sure where to suggest sorry. Have a look along the trainline to Liverpool St. Are villages near Dartford any good?

Hatfield, Hemel, Brentwood, Epping?

@Sambkh @Liversam what did you decide in the end? I'm facing the same decision now with similar criteria!

@Lost773 we still haven’t decided, time is running out as we need to commit soon for school. Looking at Berkshire/Buckinghamshire. Have you come across any potential areas?

I'm looking at Woking, but not sure about the diversity & general vibe, it's so hard to know without actually living somewhere.

Chesham might fit your bill. Nice town, good schools (although your child would have to do the 12+ to get into the best grammar ones), on the Met Line so a doddle to Liverpool St, Chiltern countryside on your doorstep.

Sorry, that was to @Liversam!

@Inkpotlover thank you! Yes Chesham has come up on our list. I can’t get a feel for the place. I like Amersham, but get the feeling Chesham is not as popular yet there seems to be more choices in terms of houses! Where do you suggest looking in Chesham area wise.

@Lost773 I have never been to Woking. It gets really good reviews on here, but, like you, I need to visit and understand the area, although it’s no substitute for actually living there!

High Wycombe is ethnically diverse. Has grammar schools. You're the wrong side of London for Liverpool St though.