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Original poster

Hicksville > London ... right or wrong?

465 replies

spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 17:36

Rather than hijack the other thread, I'll start one of my own.

I'm thinking about moving to London from the provincial town where I now live. My children are nearly 13 (dd) and 10 (ds), so if we moved in the summer ds would start Year 6 at a new primary school and dd would start Year 9 at a new secondary school. They'll both be going to state schools.

I don't like the idea of uprooting them, BUT there are lots of good reasons for the move, for them as well as me.

We're looking at moving into Camden LEA, and I am told the schools are very good. I also think as the children get older there will be many more opportunities for them educationally and socially in London. My sister and brother both live in north London and I would dearly love to be nearer to them, and so would the kids. Plus my mum wants to move in with us on a trial basis - she is very close to the children and more importantly is very good for them, and would be my general factotum in terms of childcare.

And of course the work opportunities for me would be stratospherically better than they are where I now am.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has made a big move with kids at a similar age, and what impact it had on them. Of course a lot comes down to personality, and I know it would be hard for them to adjust at first, but any advice or experience would be most welcome.

Thanks!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 19:43

Haverstock was the one with the lower score!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 19:46

Primary schools wise - the nearest primary school is New End which scores above England average and in fact has exactly the same score as the lovely school ds currently attends here.

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sis · 27/04/2004 20:13

Blu, I almost fell off my chair when I read your post as I went there and it wasn't exactly excellent (okay, but not excellent). David Miliband the schools standards minister also went to Haverstock as did Zoe Heller the author - so some of the former students have become movers and shakers...

Crunchie · 27/04/2004 20:29

Oh OK Spacemonkey I didn't see the bit about being in Hampstead village Then I might be tempted, it is really nice. In fact it is VVVV nice. I will revise my original 'How dare you' to 'Can we come and stay??'

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 20:45

crunchie

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Davros · 27/04/2004 20:51

I live in Belsize Park and being a total Londoner would say move, move, move! Acland Burghley is the one I think Fiona Millar & Alistair's kids go to. I've got a friend whose kids go there, I'll ask her but the local rag has carried a few negative stories about it in the past. Haverstock is closed for rebuilding, not sure when it reopens. New End is supposed to be wonderful. I don't know much about mainstream schols as my 8.5 year old son goes to special school and I haven't started looking yet for the 1 year old!
One thing I would say, as a borough in general Camden is fantastic, far better than most of the others nearby imho but the Council Tax is higher. We get 2 rubbish (no they're good ) collections a week, they do lots of recycling, lots of innovative schemes bu I can't think of many now. Things like free training for residents in things like Public Speaking, Writing a Newsletter etc, free wormeries, free garden waste collection, visitor parking permits (not done in Westminster), there's loads more. It is a mixed borough, but as someone else said, they all are and I think that's good. A lot of the council properties are mixed in with the posh ones, even in places like Primrose Hill and Hampstead. Camden's website is excellent, have a look there.
We go every year to concerts at Kenwood, Shakespeare at the Open Air THeatre in Regent's Park, Cricket at Lords, all in walking distance. The Heath, Kenwood, Primrose Hill, Regent's Park are all wonderful.

hana · 27/04/2004 20:56

BF lives in Hampstead Village, I love going to visit her, feels like I'm on holiday, lovely villagy atmosphere - know nothing about schools, but the area is lovely. And you've got the Heath too

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 20:57

I AM GETTING EXCITED!!!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 20:59

The location just couldn't be better - 5 mins walk from hampstead tube, and not much more than that to the heath.

Can't help thinking the woman must be mad to want to move!

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Davros · 27/04/2004 21:05

SM, I personally find the side streets and backwaters more interesting than the high st although its good for celeb and poseur watching! Find Burgh House which is just off the High St, end of Flask Walk, for a cuppa when you visit on Sat. I'm out horse riding with my SN son on Sats otherwise would meet up The joy of a 20 min tube ride into Town! Straight to Leicester Sq, handy for Covent Gdn and Soho, thence to Liberty, Bond st, or straight down to Waterloo for South Bank. The Eurotunnel terminal is going to be at St Pancras in a few years and the Waterloo one will close down, another handy facility!

Janh · 27/04/2004 21:12

sm, I'm getting excited as well, wish I could come too!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 21:59

davros - the flat is NEXT DOOR to burgh house!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 22:00

janh you will always be welcome to come and visit

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bossykate · 27/04/2004 22:01

sm, you've got to do this!

Kayleigh · 27/04/2004 22:07

spacemonkey, that location is fantastic. Hampstead in the summer is gorgeous.
When will you know for definite ?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 22:21

The woman is out of the country until the end of May, so I will have to wait in suspenders until then. As I said, she is VERY keen on my place, just from the description, therefore I feel sure she will like it even more when she sees it (it's in a great location in hicksville with a new kitchen and bathroom). She has said to me that if I like her place "the exchange is virtually certain to go ahead, because your place is exactly what I've been looking for".

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 22:23

I can't be that lucky - she's probably a nutter

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pollyanna · 27/04/2004 22:31

Hi I live in Hampstead. I think it is a wonderful place to live (definitely one of the nicest places in London). The primary schools are good - New End has a good reputation, but there are also 2 church schools which are brilliant (and slightly smaller). There is a problem with secondary schools I think - you would have to be careful. I'm not sure about Haverstock school - there are rumours about lots of drugs, violence there, but it is meant to be up and coming. It is a good place for children - the Heath is fab and really close to there. There are lots of other activities. Me and DH walked past those flats on Easter Monday and they seemed very peaceful.

There is a great pub very close by too!

Having said all that, we are thinking of moving out of London to Hicksville!

Tinker · 27/04/2004 22:57

Gosh, I'm feeling a bit jealous now

Davros · 27/04/2004 23:29

Yes, I know exactly the block. Probably built in the 50s. I think it was refurbished a few years ago. Lovely location, really nice quiet and quaint streets and I know that pub! Mind you, could be The Well, The Flask or They Hollybush (where Jamie Oliver lives) or....... Whatever people say about London, this area has a very strong community imho and really is "villagey" and friendly. Lots of cafe life (specially in my neck of the woods), arthouse cinemas but also quite new multiplex not far away plus Waitrose, Safeway, 2 Sainsburys AND new M&S Food store opening soon in South ENd Green but M&S already in Camden I like being near to Camden Town too which has got Woollies, Argos etc as well as all those pierced and tatooed Scandinavian teenagers

pollyanna · 27/04/2004 23:42

I meant the Wells Tavern Davros, but I agree, there are lots of other good ones too.
We live in South End Green - not nearly as nice as Hampstead proper ( I used to live in Belsize before children).

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/04/2004 23:56

the block of flats is called Wells House

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marthamoo · 27/04/2004 23:56

Now how did I know this was you spacey ?

Why don't you move from Hicksville to Uber Hicksville? Macclesfield is the new London you know.

pollyanna · 28/04/2004 00:00

Yes, I think the Wells Tavern is next door! (very nice, new gastropub).

Original poster
spacemonkey · 28/04/2004 00:01

so i think the general consensus is i should take it if it's offered then?

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