Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

Advice needed - where to live in London

95 replies

notyet · 22/08/2006 11:26

I moved to London a couple of years ago and am currently living in Islington and loving the access to "interesting" shops, delis etc - i.e. a living highstreet. We want to try and start a family within the next year and want to buy a house. The issue is where. DP would be happy with any safe/decent area, but I am latish starting a family (31 next week) and am really worried about being isolated with a young child and nowhere to go.
Money, of course, is an issue. Where in London can you all recomment where there is an "interesting" highstreet with nice shops/cafes, places to go etc, nice area, but doesn't cost the earth. I really want to be able to walk places, not be dependant on a car as well. and be within walking distance of tranport links.
I know this is a tall order but its becoming a real issue as DP, while kind of understanding my fears, also just wants to get a nice house and settle down in suburbia, and I am really frightened of being isolated at home with a small baby. My support network in London is not large and I really want somewhere where there are parent/todler groups, schools within walking distance etc.
Please help

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 22/08/2006 11:41

what is your budget? How many bedrooms do you want?

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 11:43

Really only up to 375! DP wants 3 bedrooms but I would be happy with 2 if decent sized

OP posts:
suzywong · 22/08/2006 11:45

don't worry about being isolate, other mothers crawl out of the woodwork as soon as you get preggo, and there are always plenty of mothers' groups around.

Sounds like you're looking at Cockfosters though for 3 bedrooms and that money

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 11:49

Thanks suzywong. It is a real fear of mine I have to say. And is making me more scared of the whole baby concept. (while really wanting to at the same time).

OP posts:
suzywong · 22/08/2006 11:51

really, don't be scared
When I was pg with ds1 in Highgate, I discovered 2 other women due in the same month as me in my 20 dwelling cul de sac! I 'd never ever set eyes on them before, what I mean is that when you are PG it's like being in the Masons, suddenly you're in a club and there are members everywhere.

And don't forget you've got MN too, that's kept many of us with new babies from going mental.

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 11:53

Thank you again. I have to say I just have this idea that if I am somewhere that has a nice highstreet to walk to, where I would want to go out, things within walking distance etc. It would make life easier. Or does it not make any real difference?
Housing wise we can afford North Finchley but not east finchley. and i guess I am looking for an east finchley highstreet on a North Finchley buget. (Doesn't have to be on the tube, train service is fine)

OP posts:
suzywong · 22/08/2006 11:56

Honestly, north London is CRAWLING with mummies
see here

ComeOVeneer · 22/08/2006 11:59

Buy my house it is in North Finchley close to the shops and Woodside Park Tube station. 3 bedrooms.

CountessDracula · 22/08/2006 11:59

How about Wimbledon Good schools and lots of mums to hang out with!

Or Earlsfield

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 12:01

How do you find it in North finchley ComeOveneer? What is it like to live in? How is access to shoping/services etc? Afraid we are looking to buy in about 6 months but otherwise would love to buy your house.

Thanks for the link Suzywong.

OP posts:
Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 12:02

Would love Wimbledon, or earlsfield, both lovely. The question is can we afford anything there. have looked at it always seems JUST too expensive, but I live in hope than when we sell our flat will have outperformed the market and we can make it!

OP posts:
Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 12:04

Thanks for the links countess dracula. that is a property website I haven't been on, have been mainly looking at rightmove.

OP posts:
ComeOVeneer · 22/08/2006 12:04

The high street is pretty good, a few nice coffee shops, waterstones Waitrose etc. Northern line tube can be a bit pants tbh. There is a soft play place just up the road which is good for meeting mums, some good schools (a couple of lousy ones). I prefer East Finchley, we moved from there 3 years ago from a 2 bed flat as we couldn't afford to upgraade to a 3 bed house in E. Finchley.

CountessDracula · 22/08/2006 12:05

It is imo the best site for SW London

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 12:07

exactly the same comeoveneer, could afford a flat in east finchley but not a house and DP has reached an age where he wants land! + seems better for childer (garden etc).
The thing for me is that there are no guarantees about having children, and I don't want to move somewhere that is all about them and not at all about me, and then find out we have problems concieving. Not trying to be negative about process but no longer 20 (31 v soon)and will be first time trying

OP posts:
titchy · 22/08/2006 12:40

Raynes Park? Cheaper than wimbledon but very family friendly and you can walk to Wimledon Village

Amanda1 · 22/08/2006 12:44

Message withdrawn

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 12:44

Not been to raynes park yet. Thanks for the recommendation. Is there anything there, or is it just a "close to wimbledon" place?

OP posts:
Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 12:46

Oh yes, if I can manage wimbledon then I will be really happy about that. seems lots to see and do. Just the fear about afordability as don't want DP to have to work overtime to pay mortgage, would rather live worse area and have him around.

OP posts:
Amanda1 · 22/08/2006 12:49

Message withdrawn

MarsLady · 22/08/2006 12:52

Crouch End
Alexandra Park end of Bounds Green
Muswell Hill (well you can just about get something in your budget... though it may need a little work)
East Finchley

Gorgeous family orientated areas. Not cheap but lots of greenery around.

puddle · 22/08/2006 13:01

We lived in Stoke Newington which is full of babies and has a nice park/ loads of activities going on.

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 13:04

Thanks for link amanda1.

Marslady - thanks for the suggestions, have seen east finchley but not the rest, will look have a look at them. I have to say its a great way to see more of London

OP posts:
babydriver · 22/08/2006 13:10

How about Merton Park? Between Wimbledon and Morden. There's a screamingly expensive (but v beautiful) conservation area, but also lots of 1930s houses. We're 15-20mins walk from Wimb town centre, or 10mins from Morden (tho' not much there except tube and central library). Five local parks, all v different, in close walking distance. Good primary schools, three or four local toddler groups, friendly neighbours...
Finch and Hawes & Co are the most used local estate agents.

Original poster
notyet · 22/08/2006 13:55

Babydriver. That sounds perfect. I want acess to the nice town center, but don't have to live within a minutes walk of it. Thanks for that and the tip about the estate agent. Will look it up.

OP posts: