Family friendly areas in London

[Booklover]

We currently live in North London (Islington) but consider moving a bit further out as properties are just so expensive. Just wondering if you can recommend any areas that seem very family friendly, have a nice feel about it and are safe and affordable - hopefully they do exist?!

No, we went up to peaceful Edinburgh with ds, who was 6 months at the time.
I hear it was fab - neighbours on Stratheden Road went. Were you there?

yes we did go. Was wondering if I bumped into you! I have a soft spot for a good firework display so that and the one that year (99) on the heath really stick in my mind. Had just found out I was pregnant with dd and was completely knackered so went and crashed out very soon after midnight (and had a massive lie-in, oh those were the days!).

haven't been to edinburgh yet, bet ds enjoyed it!

I used to work in Ealing and would have loved to live there but it's out of our price range. Am in Harrow at the moment but would recommend the Rayners Lane/Pinner area - three or four very good state primaries which unfortunately we are too far from.

I can highly recommend Preston Road - on the Metropolitan line - lovely little shops (including a Woolies!), park, good schools. Or slightly further in - so more expensive - Dollis Hill is where I'd live if I had the money. Gorgeous park, fab houses, on the jubilee line.

Sigh..!

have lived in SW London (Putney, Balham, Tooting & Southfields), in N London (Hendon, Barnet) and by far my favourite place to live is SE London (Dulwich)

it is excellent for kids / families .. a village within 5 miles of the city .. takes 40 mins to cycle into the city, 30 mins by bus and 10 mins by train

That's right Twiglett - you can live SO MUCH CLOSER to the centre in S London, and an affordable cab ride away, too, for those late late nights.
And Herne Hill was featured in Time Out 'villgae london'.
But better not tell everyone, because then the competition would push up the '3 beds plus garden for under £350k'rates of some lovely areas!

oh move to Blackheath, no other place comes near!

then we'd be rich, rich I tell ya mwahahahahahahaaa

Anyone know what it's like living in Palmers Green? Is it good for families there, and how are the schools?