This is likely going to end up into a rant, so apologies.
Currently living aboard in an asian country where education is great but the older the kids get the more stressful the schooling system. Like kids do after school academies until 9 pm here. We always said we would move back to my home country (england) as my mum is there and we didn't want our kids to attend middle school/junior high here. They would be at a disadvantage as well as they will never be seen as equals, one is already being bullied for being different. They are the only mixed race kids in the school.
So here is my dilemma. I co-own a three bedroom house in England with my mum. It is in Greenford, in Ealing. A little outside of central London. And luckily the house is fully paid off, no more mortage but will need more updating soon I think. There are two good high schools near us, one I attended as a teen and have had multiple family members go to since.
The dilemma is really primary school. I have friends and family in the local area and all say the same thing. There is only one, or two good primary schools and it is near impossible to get into now.
Currently my boys are 5 and 6, they are taught in a small class of ten. I know the UK school classes are much bigger, but I worry about the level of their education in primary schools. I don't want them to fall back. And in recent years it feels as though the area has become unsafe and frankly, it is rather grimy now, the council doesnt clean the streets as often as they use to and there are drug dealings going on much more openly than when I was a kid and that is just by the train station!
My mum has brought up us all moving to another area, like Egham in Surrey, or Surbiton in South West London so they will have a better environment to live in and a much more safer place compared to Greenford. She will be living with us, so we need a 3-4 bed house.
I don't know if when we return to the UK, we should move to another area.. This is going to sound really dumb to be so worried about but I am literally panicking about their education and quality of life in the UK. I hated moving from the countryside to Greenford when I was 8. I really think they will feel the same and my husband is more use to living in nicer areas.
Pro and cons;
- If we stay - With the mortage paid off that is one big headache to not have to worry about so we can spend our incomes on vacations or after school activities.
- If we stay - Central line into london for our kind of jobs. Easier for travelling into work and seeing them more.
- I we stay - Would need to do an extension as we live in a three floor town house but builders are hard to find that are willing to do work on a townhouse. Need the roof changed in like 10 years I think too. Basically a lot of remodeling.
- If we stay - It isn't even safe to walk at night from the station to our house (20 min walk) we have to take a taxi home every late night coming back.
- If we stay - the quailty of life will be lower
- If we move - we certainly will need a big mortage, like 150,000-200,000 or more as our house is only valued at 505,000.
- If we move - to like Surbiton there is more of our east asian community with also many kids like ours there and the schools are all generally good.
- If we move - would be easier access to health care like dentist and GPs. Greenford is overpacked.
- If we move - might have to spend more on travel for work
- If we move - more greenier spaces
- If we move - and safer for all of us..
If you were in our position what would you do?