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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:
lou33 · 27/05/2004 23:49

or add this address

[email protected]

we dont use it for anything but msn so it doesnt matter about being on here.

hoxtonchick · 27/05/2004 23:51

done it

suzywong · 27/05/2004 23:52

hoxtonchick, you do know there will be an initiation ceremony don't you?
About bloody time you came on the MSN, you will have gathered by now how crap I am and responding to emails.
Not sure what I have to do to add you but will certainly try my best
See you later in the other world!!!!

hoxtonchick · 27/05/2004 23:53

CYI suzy!

maomao · 27/05/2004 23:54

This is becoming like The Matrix....

suzywong · 27/05/2004 23:56

roger HC
You too MaoMao, CYI
And It will be me helping Keanu Reeves out of his leather cat suit OK

maomao · 28/05/2004 00:01

Ok, I have NO IDEA what you're saying to me! This is like when people speak Chinese to me, and I just smile politely and nod. (Seriously, what is CYI, please?)

Tech, why is CYI not on the acronym list???

suzywong · 28/05/2004 00:03

It's Check Your In box in your email, I sent you one earlier. Do try and keep up

maomao · 28/05/2004 00:05

Sigh. I try so bloody HARD, too! Thanks!

hoxtonchick · 28/05/2004 01:05

keanu's mine, all mine i tell you.

tech2 · 28/05/2004 01:42

cripes of course CYI must go on the list - ta!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 28/05/2004 20:47

I am going to look at the Islington house on Thursday morning

OP posts:
DelGirl · 28/05/2004 21:32

Hi spacemonkey - the house sounds good, hope it's nice. Lovely area by all accounts and just think of all the 'family' gatherings you'll be able to host!

Original poster
spacemonkey · 28/05/2004 21:33

ooh I was asking after you when I saw Sue the other day DelGirl - how are you?

OP posts:
DelGirl · 28/05/2004 21:46

Oh, you know - have to say just surviving really at the moment. Managing to drag myself up by the boot laces as it were. I'm getting there (until it all starts again in about 4 weeks!!!!) You?

marthamoo · 28/05/2004 21:52

What language are you lot speaking? RSVP ASAP YMCA FUBAR lalalalaaaaaa!

DelGirl · 28/05/2004 21:55

get the 1st bit but not the last???

eddm · 28/05/2004 21:59

Spacemonkey, Islington schools are scary ? that's why, in pre-No. 10 days the Blairs sent their kids right across town to Fulham to find a decent state secondary. Islington to Fulham in rush hour is a pig of a journey so some indication how bad Islington schools are. Someone mentioned De Beauvoir Town? If the 'Islington' place is in that area, don't touch with a barge pole, IMO. Very, very, very rough estates, lots of tension between different groups of teenagers, gangs, crime, blah blah blah. It is rough, even for inner-city London. And I'm not a suburban scaredy-cat, until a couple of months ago I was living very happily on a lovely council estate in inner London.

Original poster
spacemonkey · 28/05/2004 22:06

Thanks eddm. I am assuming the worst about secondary schools whatever part of London we move to (hence investigating home ed). The house is in De Beauvoir yes, which I know is not far from some pretty rough Hackney spots. But I think it's horses for courses, I'm getting lots of very positive reports about that area too. I am going to have a look on Thursday anyway, and take it from there

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/05/2004 13:46

Well, I've given all of this a lot of serious thought over the last month, and have decided that the Hampstead flat is too small for us. My mum, who had a stroke 18 months ago, wants to come and live with us for at least 6 months, and although we could manage in the flat, it would be managing. I would prefer to wait until I find a larger place that will accommodate all of us more comfortably.

I spoke to the tenant this morning and explained the situation, also told her about the Islington house, and have agreed that, if the Islington place is no good, we will look for a 3-way exchange (i.e. find someone with a large 3 or 4 bed property who wants to move to NW3).

OP posts:
Davros · 01/06/2004 20:35

Well? Did you go to the Islington house today SM? I've only just caught up on this thread and, having read the mentalist part agree that you may fit in better in N1 No, seriously we do have a real community spirit here plus some good butchers! You won't get the high street shop stylee in NW3 though (although lots of estate agents and mobile phone shops) BUT we are so close to Camden and Kentish Town for the vibrancy but without having to live right inside it. It does sound like the Hampstead flat is too small though so maybe something else NW3 or Camden or, in the end, Islington.......

maomao · 01/06/2004 20:55

sm,

Original poster
spacemonkey · 02/06/2004 00:47

Thanks for posting davros and maomao - yes, I did view the Islington house today, and it is perfect for us in terms of accommodation - it is quite near a biggish estate, but I accept that in Islington there is more of a mixture of rich n poor!

I didn't mean to diss Hampstead, I just have a feeling that I would fit better in a more mixed area if that makes sense. And the flat is just too small to accommodate my mum

House was great. Grade 2 listed Georgian semi with a large garden and four double bedrooms - what's not to like!

The Islington people are viewing mine tomorrow morning, so until tomorrow I know nothing. I am getting really, really stressed about the whole thing, and for the sake of my own mental health I have decided that, if they don't want to proceed, I will take a break from househunting for a month. This week has been totally chaotic and I've ended up letting people down, forgetting to do things I should be doing and generally being a dunce - so that must be a sign that something's wrong!!!

Maomao, hope you have a lovely time at the meetup tomorrow. I saw suzywong today and asked her to say a special hello from me (and to examine your feet ) and thank you again for sending the Best Schools supplement X

OP posts:
Original poster
spacemonkey · 02/06/2004 00:55

Oh and if I moved to N1, would I still be allowed to come and meet you chaps or would I be persona non grata?

OP posts:
maomao · 02/06/2004 13:08

SM, I'm glad that the Islington house suits you size-wise. It really sounds lovely. Is the "fitting in" thing to which you refer an income thing? If so, I suppose I understand what you mean--- we're trying to make a living off my DH's fellowship stipend, and can't even afford new Ikea furniture (it's used Ikea for us, and no telly ), and I am somewhat self conscious about that (just ask Davros). But there are many people here who are very nice to us (as well as many snooty ones too). (Davros tends to be one of the snooty ones, but I put up with her. ))

How is your mum's recuperating going? Sorry to hear about her stroke....