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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!

OP posts:
prettycandles · 28/04/2004 00:04

Davros - they knocked down Swiss Cottage Sports Centre, with the only decent deep pool in NW London, to build luxury homes!

pollyanna · 28/04/2004 00:05

yes, but check the secondary schools carefully. the girls schools are quite good I think, but it is more difficult for boys

melsy · 28/04/2004 00:17

Oh lovely spacemonkey. I love hampstead, was bit of an old haunt in my teenage years. Its such a lovely place, right near town. half hr from me !! Its very boho chic there!! Kids will love the fun fair bank holidays.

Davros · 28/04/2004 00:28

PC its being rebuilt, pools an' all, with posh apartments as add-on. Hampstead Town Hall refurbed a while ago and sometimes has interesting "fayres" (one this Saturday), Camden Arts Centre (?) just reopend with cafe etc, Hampstead Theatre reopned with cafe (but don't know about rest of it ), church on Rosslyn Hil being done up as "community space", Royal Free hosp handy for work and play , Burgh House, Fenton House, Kenwood, could go on and on! Oh, and don't forget the million Starucks

tomkitty · 28/04/2004 11:19

Is Wells House on Wells Walk? If so it is GORGEOUS!

I used to live in Belsize Park but I was childless so know very little about the local schools.

I have been to some of the schools in the borough of Camden, right in Camden Town and also around the Somers Town. They really were not nice at all, rather scary in fact. So do be careful.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 28/04/2004 16:29

that's the one!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/04/2004 23:15

Well, I went to look at the flat today. Beautiful sunny day showing off Hampstead at its best. The location is fantastic, but the flat isn't quite as big as I'd hoped. It needs lots of decorating, and a new kitchen and bathroom, although the existing kitchen and bathroom are serviceable.

I now have a month to think about it before the tenant comes back to the UK and looks at my place. Having seen her place, I'm confident that she'll love my house, so my instinct is there is a very good chance of the exchange going through.

If anyone wants to see the photos I took today, they are here

OP posts:
bossykate · 29/04/2004 23:32

what do you think then, sm, are you going to go for it?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/04/2004 23:36

I'm veering towards a yes. My excitement has simmered down a bit since I saw the flat, and can see how much needs doing to it. It didn't help that it was a mess and all the curtains were drawn, plus I only had 10 minutes to look round. However, looking past the cosmetic problems it's a 3 bedroomed flat in a fab area which could, with time, be made to look great. The bedrooms are all a good size, even bedroom 3, but the kitchen/dining room and living room were disappointingly small (but adequate).

I probably shouldn't post the pics on here for privacy reasons (may have to ask tech to remove the link!), I'm looking for feedback though!

OP posts:
bossykate · 29/04/2004 23:41

it is not a very original insight, but unless you have pots and pots of money, in london you will need to trade off some requirement or other when it comes to accommodation. the location is absolutely wonderful - ideal for kids, ideal for just about everything really.

do you think you would cope with the amount of space available in the flat? do you see this as a permanent move or just for a couple of years?

what about the schools? would you be happy with what's on offer?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/04/2004 23:47

Yes, the space is perfectly adequate, even if my mum moves in with me. I need to look into schools - the league tables for Camden LEA suggest they're on a par performance wise with the schools in Colchester. Although it may be jumping the gun a little, I think I'll call Camden LEA to talk to someone about school admissions, and I'll certainly be doing some more research. I know Acland Burghley are oversubscribed because I have already been in touch with them. They told me that they could put dd on the waiting list, but I'd need to go through the LEA. Not sure on procedures for this as my kids have never had to move schools before!

I see this as a permanent move. I wouldn't uproot the children for a second time, unless they were hideously unhappy in London (which I think is unlikely once they've settled).

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/04/2004 23:50

I took my sister to see the flat, and afterwards we went for lunch at a lovely bar cafe on the high street where we were served by Agador from The Birdcage and I drank a Strawberry Mule cocktail - and I thought "yep - I could be VERY happy here!"

OP posts:
maomao · 30/04/2004 00:08

spacemonkey,

as you already have said, New End primary is supposed to be quite good. And the location is really lovely --- near the Heath and within walking distance of the village. I hope you do it, for then you'd be my neighbor!

Have you spoken to your dd and ds about it? What do they think?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 00:10

dd and ds are vaguely aware of the possibility - I don't really know how to broach it with them. They like the idea of being near their aunt and uncle, but hate the thought of leaving their friends.

You in Hampers then maomao?!

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maomao · 30/04/2004 00:31

Yup. It can be really lovely, especially on the bright sunny days, like today! But the Heath can get overcrowded, and traffic can be especially bad on the nice days....

Oooo I want to see Agador --- which cafe did you lunch at? I could just peek in as I walk by....

Janh · 30/04/2004 02:00

SM, know nothing about London, but -

the outside looks brill and the inside's really not bad (v cluttered but, you know, imagine it empty!) and it has loads of windows...if the bedrooms are big enough for all of you (who would share?) and the kitchen/diner and living room are too, and you can find places for the kids in schools you and they like, and this person does want to swap after she's seen yours - it does sound like a fantastic opportunity!

(Would you bother having a car? Assuming you have one now?)

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 02:14

thanks jan - i think i would get rid of my car, no real need for it in london and it's expensive to run

yes, lots of windows - i think it would be a lovely bright place and would look lovely without the clutter!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 02:15

can't remember name of Agador bar! something beginning with M on the high street ...

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Tinker · 30/04/2004 02:41

I think it looks lovely. Kitchen, well, just looks sort of retro to me. There was something in the paper yesterday about Canden schools and catchment areas - applied to secondary schools. If you don't know already, may be worth looking for. If I was in your position I'd go like shot.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 02:49

ooh, which paper tinker?

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Tinker · 30/04/2004 03:04

The Indie yesterday sm. I'm sure it mentioned Acland Burghley - remembered it from this thread

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 03:40

i'll check out their website - thanks

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Davros · 30/04/2004 13:49

It does get busy on a sunny weekend but the good thing about living here is you can go to the Heath etc any time and you can pop out to the High St and then bolt home. Is Acland Burghley the one that Miss Dynamite went to? Obviously good careers guidance then I also think the traffic, apart from school run times, is not nearly as bad as in the suburbs. My sis lives in New Malden and the traffic is much worse there. Its also extremely quiet in the side streets here. The flat looks fine to me, cluttered as everyone has said and I reckon that kitchen is quite trendy. You can meet up with me and Maomao, we have managed it twice in the last 6 months!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/04/2004 13:50

the neighbour in the flat upstairs said it's pretty noisy there at night - but to be honest that doesn't bother me as i'm the heaviest sleeper in the known universe

fingers crossed and hope to meet you before too long davros and maomao

OP posts:
Batters · 30/04/2004 14:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.