Kingston Upon Thames - thinking of moving there...

[ntt]

would really like to live in the country, but can't because dp needs to be near London for work, so we've been thinking about somewhere in North Kingston as near to Kingston Gate (an entrance into Richmond Park) as possible.

So what's Kingston like to live in?

tia

Town centre is awful in my opinion and driving is a nightmare but Up toards richmond is lovely

We are in Ewell just past Tolworth and I used to go to Kingston loads, just too busy now but still go to Richmond park loads in the summer.

What about Surbiton, train station is a large one serving London avery few minutes

that part of Kingston (near Kingston gate) is nice and there are some good primary schools round there (assuming you have small children).

I don't know if you know Kingston well but I would consider 2 things if you were looking at that area - do you need to use the station (you'll prob be closer to Norbiton) and which school are you going to be aiming for?

Dp doesn't have to be in London that often, and when he does he has to drive because of his equipment, it would be nice for me to pop into London every now and again once I'm brave enough to with my 7.5 month old.

I don't know it too well really, but I was thinking of Kingston because it seems to have good shops and wide pavements for the pushchair, but the biggest deal for me is access to Richmond Park. I know what you mean about Kingston being busy though, the traffic does put me off.

As for schools, I'm not really thinking about them yet.

I like Richmond, but we can't afford a house the size we need there.

If it was up to me I'd be running a campsite and growing mushrooms in France!

Kingston does have great shops - you would never need to go to central London for shopping.

If you are just looking to be near R Park, have you looked at East Sheen and Mortlake? The houses near the Sheen gate are lovely (though more expensive that the Kingston gate area) and there are plenty of shops round there. You are also close enough to Richmond to nip in and it's a bit closer to drive into town.

The other area with a lovely park is St.Margarets. Marble Hill Park is really beautiful (and has a lovely playground) and you can hop across the little ferry to Ham House. You're not far from R Park there either.

Thanks Foxinsocks, I'll check those places out. Is Marble Hill Park good for dog walking do you think? My dog needs lots of off lead exercise and I can't take him to recreation parks because he's too much of a pita with kids/balls etc.

Marble Hill Park has lots of dog walkers but it would be less easy to let your dog off the leash (although plenty do!) there in peak time (summer, after school etc.) because it has lawns rather than open bush like R Park.

R Park is the best for off leash walking I imagine (esp if you have a big dog).

I don't really mind where I am as long as it's a nice area, within a couple of mins' walk of Richmond Park, an ok pub with beer garden and a shop where I can get baby milk or nappies when I run out (as usual).

Great shops like in Kingston or Richmond would be great if they were within a walk's distance, but if I'd have to drive anyway I suppose, it doesn't matter.

Don't want much do I lol??

Right by Kingston Gate on Kings Road - you're within walking distance of several nice pubs and the Sainsburys. I don't know how many houses on Kings Road are big though (my friend lives there and it's tiny). I know some people hate Kingston, but I like shopping there. It has a great JL, Primark and three good book shops.

I have to force myself not to go into Borders anymore - I always think I will just nip in and end up spending hours!

Why would people hate Kingston? Apart from the traffic of course