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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:
Davros · 08/05/2004 15:04

Ho ho, I'd love to hear about the "goings-on"!!! In case you think I've lost it maomao, goings-on over here usually mean love affairs and nookie

Original poster
spacemonkey · 08/05/2004 15:12

thank you for the link maomao

i am planning to spend a weekend with my sister in a few weeks so that the children can do some things in the area (part of my softly softly strategy to make them actually like the idea), so the listings will be really useful!

OP posts:
maomao · 08/05/2004 15:56

Davros, I know you've lost it, so no worries mate!

Okay, so I didn't mean "goings-on." Thanks for the translation!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 09/05/2004 16:41

I've heard from Hampstead woman again this morning and she has set my mind at rest. My house is in the exact location she was hoping to exchange to, and that is why she feels so sure about going ahead with it.

Looks like I'll have to start contacting schools straight away!

OP posts:
maomao · 09/05/2004 19:31

That's wonderful news, sm! Have you broached the subject yet with your children?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 09/05/2004 19:51

I have broached it in a light hearted manner but I think the best approach will be to spend some time with them in the area (planning to do that later in the month) and get my mum and sister to wield their influence over the kids ...!

OP posts:
maomao · 09/05/2004 22:25

Sounds like a very wise plan indeed. What was their response when you mentioned it in a lighthearted way?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 09/05/2004 22:26

something along the lines of "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I think I may have a bit of an uphill struggle on this

OP posts:
maomao · 24/05/2004 00:42

Hullo there, sm. How goes it? Just wanted to let you know that the 16 May FT had a special supplement "Top 1000 Schools" (I think, in glancing over it quickly, that it's secondary schools.

Let me know if you want me to send it to you. Hope all is well.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 24/05/2004 00:52

thanks maomao

I am expecting to hear from Hampstead woman later this week and more viewings will then be arranged.

I'll take the children to see the flat as soon as possible and take it from there I think.

Still as keen as ever, but very worried and scared about changing dd's school. Not so worried about ds, I think he would make the change much more easily as he would have a year at primary before moving onto secondary ...

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:06

maomao, i got the FT supplement in this morning's post - you're a star!

the plot thickens slightly

I have another possible swap. This one's in Islington. It's a 4 bedroomed Georgian house.

What would you choose? A 3 bed flat in Hampstead or a 4 bed house in Islington ... ?

OP posts:
suzywong · 26/05/2004 14:19

Actually the house does sound good, and N1 is very central and probably livlier for teenagers.

Nutcracker · 26/05/2004 14:19

Well i don't know either area at all but would say that you need to at least look at the 4 bed one.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:21

It's just off essex road/new north road so a bit of a trek from the tube. The house sounds fabulous. And it's got a garden!

OP posts:
Nutcracker · 26/05/2004 14:22

Sounds lovley, are you going to look at it ????

Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:23

and it would mean my mum could live with us without us feeling like sardines ...

house is on 3 storeys with 2 double beds on the lower floor, living room/kitchen on middle floor and 2 more double beds on upper floor - could be a great arrangement for my family (stick granny in the basement)

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:24

oh yes, will definitely look at it nutty. I am taking photos of my place to send to her today. Suspect my place may be too small for her requirements though, as although it's just her and her adult son, she is surrogate mama to a host of his friends on a regular basis, so would need room to accommodate them too

OP posts:
suzywong · 26/05/2004 14:26

Spacemonkey that is known as De Beauvoir Town, it's a colourful area and certainly is central. Not sure about the schools around there though, that's the only thing

Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:28

The schools problem will exist wherever i go in london though

OP posts:
Beetroot · 26/05/2004 14:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:31

From what I can gather having bent anybody and everybody's ears on this subject for the last month or so, London secondary schools are in crisis. I feel deeply uncomfortable about my kids going to any of them. This is why I am considering other educational options. It's the biggest obstacle to our move.

OP posts:
JJ · 26/05/2004 14:38

I am sooo jealous. We used to live around there, but closer to Angel. There are loads of bus routes down Essex Road, so it should be easy to get places. I have a friend around there who likes it, too (but with little kids).

When/if we move back we'll be close to you-- hopefully in Hackney (near Hoxtonchick).

Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 14:41

speakin of Hoxtonchick - she promised to spill the beans about Garth Marenghi, then promptly disappeared!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 26/05/2004 17:32

just bumping this up in case afternoon mners have any opinions on Islington ...

OP posts:
jmg1 · 26/05/2004 18:48

Have some mates who own some good bars around there, but I have no idea about the schools, but like you know unless you can/want to go Private it is a problem in London.
House sounds good, is it on a nice road?