Help Help! Have to move to London area in October, where should we live?

[DingALongCow]

DH just got a job in London at Queen Mary (University of London). We are currently in Switzerland and as we have been here toooooo long I am pushing to move in October (complicated flat renting rules means we can only move in Oct/April).

DH is coming over in June to buy car and look at areas. He will probably be driving in to work so public transport links are desirable but not necessary. His maximum commute must be around an hour or so.

Can anyone suggest any good estate agents in the area, or website where we can look at properties before DH goes over?

We have about 200 - 250k to spend on a house but will probably rent in the area first due to speed of move. DD is 3 so we are looking for an area with good primary schools, stuff for young children etc.

We have been recommended to look at places like Dunstable and Aylesbury but neither of us are familiar with the area around London so we could do with some help. DH is dubious about asking mumsnet but I have faith!

I went to Crofton and Newstead too! Oh my God! I left Newstead in 1996. When did you leave?

ding i agree with marina, look in east london.i live in newham and it is much cheaper than posher parts of tower hamlets or wildly overpriced hackney.

from profile you have a 2yo, so really you are looking at good primary schools. i have a 3yo so no direct experience of schools yet but there has been a huge lot of money and effort put into education round here so you will probably be fine wherever you land. under 8s anyway. i will probably emigrate to kent or something after then.

2000. We must both have had Mrs Gibbs as a headteacher though and benefited from her edifying feminist speeches.

It was Mrs Smith when I started there in '89. Now I'm showing my age! Was Mrs Sodergren still there? She had the patience of a saint with me, bless her.

I know a few older kids from the dc's school at Newstead - small world! and have an aunt in Petts Wood.

I'll drop you a line Ding there is still an M & S in Orpington but it is now in the weird new drive-through outlet mall on the bypass , cue much chuntering from aunt

it is a small world, isn't it.
That retail park was a god-send when I was pregnant. It opened while I was pregnant and the Mothercare was fab when I had backache because I could park just outside.
Anyway, sorry for the hijack.

Yes Mrs Sodergren was still there! My abiding memory of her was when she was teaching on Divali and set her cardigan on fire at the back. I never once saw her got angry though, she just did a fine line in disappointment and guilt.
Were you there for the famous Mrs Gibbs 'budgies and eagles' speeches? I am definitely a budgie atm and a thorough disappointment to the Newstead ethos!

Fishie, yes primary at the moment, although my profile is a year or so out of date. Thanks for the info, we will add that to our list.

Yes, the eagle and budgie speech!!!! I am firmly a budgie and proud of it!