I know this sounds like a very broad a question but I am hoping that some of you might have some helpful advice.
We lived in Clapham for 5 years until last September. We moved back to Dublin as planned in September, myself and my husband and our two children, now 6 and 3. Life here is good despite the recession. We have a lovely home, there are plenty of good schools around, we live near the sea and have my family and friends nearby. My husband is from the UK and is finding it understandably quite hard to settle but is getting there. The big problem is, with the recession, he has not found a suitable job here. We are becoming nervous about the prospect that it may be some time before he does and are contemplating renting out our house and moving back to the UK.
While we lived there in Clapham, I never really focussed on where we might live if we were in the UK while our kids were getting older.
My husband is likely to be offered a job in London and this has focused my on where we might live. I would be so grateful for any advice any of you might have about areas within an hours commute of the south side of London. Like most of us we would be looking for a friendly vibrant community, good for children, access to plenty of activities and good schools and a good rail link to London. Anyone any thoughts? I would be very gratedful for any advice. Many thanks.