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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 · 27/05/2004 19:51

Hi SM, definitely think you should look at the house and weigh up as you don't want to miss out on a much better property. Islington has some really beautiful buildings and lovely squares but MUCH MUCH more urban than Hampstead, more like Camden Town. When you say Islington, as its the name of the borough too, it could be anywhere in a very big area but Hampstead means Hampstead (even South End Green which I'd count). I also think being near the tube is very important, especially with teenagers. Personally I don't like Islington much, quite urban and dirty but pretentious in a Gordon and Tony kind of way!! We did have our wedding reception on Islington mind you, at Canonbury Academy off Canonbury Sq, lovely.
Will post on 1 O'clock club thread, I'm supposed to be trying to meet up with Chicpea next Thurs, how about then?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 20:05

Thanks davros, it's so helpful to hear what people in the know think about different areas. I will certainly be weighing the pros and cons up VERY carefully before making a decision. My sister knows someone who lives a couple of streets away from the Islington house - she really likes the area (and I know if she likes somewhere then I probably will too as we're like minded!) and thinks in some ways it would suit us as a family better than Hampstead. Am not dismissing the Hampstead one though, I just wish it was bigger so I could accommodate my mum with ease ...

OP posts:
Davros · 27/05/2004 20:08

Actually SM, the best thing to do is speak to someone who lives near the Islington House. You're getting a lot of comments from us Hampsteaders but there's nothing like the knowledge of someone who actually lives in a place. I know lots of people in Highbury, Tuffnell Park etc and all quite happy.

JJ · 27/05/2004 20:15

I think it's not knowing where you live I always thought of Hampstead as vv posh. Where we lived in Islington we felt a part of things although our neighbours were .. um... I think... understanding of us. We probably brought down property values. But in terms of day to day life for me (shopping for food, taking the boy(s) out), it was great. All of our local places knew us and we loved them. There's a farmers' market at the end of Camden Passage who has (or had) a lamb lady who can't do numbers and goes on the honour system and a Canadian guy from the Isle of Wight who would save the green tomatoes for my son who loves fried green tomatoes, plus great other stuff, the apple guy, the fresh milk guy (milked this morning by my mum, sold later this morning by me), y'know. The best fishmonger ever is on Essex Rd and there's a great butcher two doors down.. I love him even though he played a huge joke on me once. There's a place to get things framed at a reasonable cost on the road between those guys and Upper St, if you're not swayed by the food aspect.

It's a real community. It's not the "Islington" people make out when people say it distastefully as if it's a lifestyle disease.

Yeah, make sure you double lock your doors at night. But I think that Islington is great.

suzywong · 27/05/2004 20:29

Very good points made by Davros and JJ - Steve Hat, that's the name of the fishmonger isn't it?

You know Spacemonkey, I was just up in Highgate village trying to walk the fragrant boy to sleep and although it is undeniabley leafy and quanit and peaceful I really wish that I had spent more years living in a more vibrant part of London. I was thinking of you (natch) and I reckon you and the kids would get more out of living in Islington with all the myriad shapes and sights and sounds of London life you will encounter, muggers notwithstanding. Highgate is niced but there are 10 estate Agents, the local Europa are daylight robbres and it just isn't a friendly place at all (I think I am in the wrong class/ethnic mix).

You and your kids would really enjoy Islington, more your boy would have to Aresenal to avoid getting duffed up. And my word there are some great bars there. If only I was staying I would take you to everyone.

suzywong · 27/05/2004 20:30

that should have been convert to Arsenal, sorry pissed as usual

JJ · 27/05/2004 21:22

Yep, Steve Hatt. It's very hard to live without him.

It's close to things, you always have a way home, it's easy to get where you want to go.

I wish I were back there with my kids.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 21:26

My not-so-fragrant boy has already converted to Arsenal. He's such a football slut

Islington sounds great. My sister talked enthusiastically about the great mix of people there. I like the sound of that.

OP posts:
hoxtonchick · 27/05/2004 22:32

I think Islington is probably more mixed than Hampstead (no offence to all you Hampsteaders) which may appeal more to teenagers. And JJ's right, the shops are fantastic.

More to the point, SM, DID you...???

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:34

i don't know what to say without sounding like a total nutter hc!

OP posts:
lou33 · 27/05/2004 22:40

Ask him to be your friend, and send him attached pic with you in milk bottle glasses, slightly drooling with a red rose in hand.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:41

he'll think i'm a mentalist

OP posts:
lou33 · 27/05/2004 22:41

He would have a good idea about you then .

hoxtonchick · 27/05/2004 22:42

but maybe he likes that type of thing

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:42

HA BLOODY HA!

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:42

hadn't thought of that

OP posts:
lou33 · 27/05/2004 22:43

He must do to appear as he does.

lou33 · 27/05/2004 22:43

Dress up as a runaround ostrich sm when you take the pic.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:44

Dear Matthew

I am a mentalist. Will you be my friend?

I know where you live by the way.

Love from S.Monkey xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:45

sent it

OP posts:
lou33 · 27/05/2004 22:46

Excellent. Pic attached?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:46

No. I don't want to frighten him.

OP posts:
lou33 · 27/05/2004 22:49

He might be strangely attracted to drooling ostriches.

hoxtonchick · 27/05/2004 22:51

superb, if you go on a date can lou & i hang around in diguises in the background?

Original poster
spacemonkey · 27/05/2004 22:52

it might be prudent to establish his marital status before i unleash my lynx power at him

OP posts:
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