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Original poster

do you live in kingston in surrey?

205 replies

zebramummy · 26/10/2009 21:13

have recently starting to consider moving there and would be v grateful for some advice.

how cut-off it feels from london and which zone it is in (if any at all?)

i originally considered barnes though I was put off by the aircraft noise - does kingston have a similar issue?

what are the state primaries and secondaries like (ds is 4) and are catchment areas v tight?

is it all chain stores or are there some nice independant shops too such as cafes, ethnic food shops?

which areas or roads are a safe bet in terms of schools and moving away if i absolutely hate it?

i considered parts of surrey and herts (you may remember some previous posts) though i was put off by the whole 'white middle-class' thing. i want ds to grow up feeling that he is in a multicultural society and for him to be able to hold his own amongst the london kids!

many thanks

OP posts:
LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:38

When I say the secondaries aren't great for boys, i mean the ones who won't pass the Tiffins exam and the ones who can't afford kingston Grammar (which is most of them). Both are excellent schools.

The things that swung it for us were Richmond Park and the Thames both being on our doorstep and within 10 ins walking distance.

My boys are at one of the excellent primaries in north Kingston (years 1 and 3) and they couldn't be happier there.

foxinsocks · 31/10/2009 21:38

yes, whatever you do, take into account the fact that kingston, hampton wick, teddington, norbiton are all on the london loop line (i.e. goes round in a farking circle rather than taking the most direct route)

Original poster
zebramummy · 31/10/2009 21:38

sorry - unclear post - i meant the train and tube zones so zone 6 would be fine.

had a look at sunbury but not enough trains.
thames ditton looks lovely but i don't think we would fit in there

i am liking surbiton a lot atm for its fast train service - cant see a lot of period property around there though - mostly 1930s??? would make sense i suppose given its growth

OP posts:
LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:39

Bibbity, it's the best of both worlds. A bit city, a bit country. Perfect. And DP and I have often got black cabs home.

Original poster
zebramummy · 31/10/2009 21:41

ah i know which line you mean foxinsocks - i have been on it a few years back when i had an interview in teddington - i remember feeling quite intimidated at norbiton when a swarm of lively schoolboys invaded the train - strange to think that ds could potentially be among them one day.

OP posts:
LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:41

Lizzz, they're consulting on building the new school (which will be mixed) partly on the North Kingston Centre site (next to Tiffin Girls) and partly on the Hawker Centre site.

LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:46

Lizzz, the prison isn't in the middle of a housing estate, it's on the very far northern edge. There are no schools on the Tudor Estate. And it's only an estate in that it was all built pretty much at the same time (1930s). There aren't any council houses there as far as i know, pretty much all owner occupied. The children there go to either Fern Hill on the main richmond Road or Latchmere, on Latchmere Road (two of the best schools in town).

Original poster
zebramummy · 31/10/2009 21:48

sorry bibbity - missed your post.

well, we cant afford highgate or hampstead and the north london situation with schools is surely just as bad. my mother suggested pinner and stanmore but they seem so suburban and dull (more so than a commuter town even).

cant afford anything decent in muswell hill

looked at herts/bucks border but it seemed even further away from london culturally than places like kingston

loved the idea of barnes though was put off by aeroplane noise when we actually visited

lke the idea of shepherd's bush but schools are dreadful

it is hard because i love our house and the school is apparently brilliant ON PAPER!

have i missed anywhere obvious?

OP posts:
ciforjif · 31/10/2009 21:50

Lizzzombie-I am having a bit of a OMG moment but I think I live in the same town as you!!
South Harbour??? (sorry to hijack-world getting smaller by the minute).

Still think Surbiton comes out tops!!!

LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:50

Zebramummy, as far as where to look for a house goes, the area bordered by Richmond Road on one side, Park Road on the other, the town centre to the south and the tudor estate to the north is your best bet.
It's mostly turn of the century Victorian semis and detached villas, costing anywhere between £250k and £900k.

bibbitybobbitycat · 31/10/2009 21:51

Dulwich?

bibbitybobbitycat · 31/10/2009 21:53

Chiswick, Kew, Putney, Wimbledon.

Original poster
zebramummy · 31/10/2009 21:55

i have heard good things about east dulwich i suppose - and there is a certain boys school which i would prob never be able to afford after forking out for a house there. do you know it well? are there many primaries/secondaries/little aircraft noise?? i've been there before to a restaurant called bel-air house and it seemed green enough
i'll have a look now

OP posts:
Wheelybug · 31/10/2009 21:57

ooh I've lived in the Kingston area for 10 years and never knew there was a prison !! That's how much a problem it is I think.

Good primaries almost everywhere in the area I think although a fight for places.

New Malden is zone 4 and a more frequent service thn Kingston (although not as fast as Surbiton but still about 20 mins to W'loo).

LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:57

South east London is nowhere near as nice as south west London. Kingston is surrounded by so many lovely places. I wouldn't live in any other part of London now.

LyraSilvertongue · 31/10/2009 21:58

New Malden is dull.

Lizzzombie · 31/10/2009 22:01

Lyra - sorry, I meant the prison was very near to the Tudor Estate, it was colloquial.
I never wrote that the Tudor Estate was council either. The two schools I was referring to were Latchmere, and the other primary just down the road from it. St Lukes? Both of which I understand to be very good.

Ciforjif - Has your oldest just started senior school?

ciforjif · 31/10/2009 22:01

Too true Lyra-worked there for too long. Nowt doing at all.

bibbitybobbitycat · 31/10/2009 22:03

Dulwich is very green, surrounded by parkland and playing fields. Never noticed aircraft noise (unlike Kew, which is where my brother lives). The Charter school has a good reputation for a state comprehensive. Yes, the College is £££ but there are loads of other private options on your doorstep. Bel-Air House restaurant no longer exists, there has been a change of name, I think its something like Beaumaris House now. East Dulwich High Street is teeming with independent shops and bars and restaurants, the only chain shops are Iceland (!), Somerfield, White Stuff, JoJo Maman Bebe and Costa Coffee.

ciforjif · 31/10/2009 22:05

Lizzz-no, I have twins in year 4.
I never ever knew about a prison by the way and my parents lived in Surbiton for 30 years and I am sure they did not know either. There is a prison in Sutton as well (again leafy and good rail/road links to London).

Lizzzombie · 31/10/2009 22:08

Ciforjif - you do indeed live in the same town as me! There is another surbiton girl who lives in the harbour too who may come on here. How funny! I live towards the town centre. Oooh, I may have served you at work! Small world.

preciouslillywhite · 31/10/2009 22:08

...you trying to lure more innocent norf Londoners down here? you're pushing the prices up, you know! at this rate I'll never be able to afford SE22

ciforjif · 31/10/2009 22:08

Wine is kicking in-apologises.

bibbitybobbitycat · 31/10/2009 22:09

here is Dulwich Park

cheeseandeyeballsarnie · 31/10/2009 22:10

i used to when i was about 10.we used to go to the pink flamingo and sing elvis stood on the bar.very uninteresting but i thought youd all like to know