Where to live around London?

[LuciaRose]

Please help me decide where to bring up children that is within commuting distance of the City. I am looking for somewhere solidly middle class, with good schools and generally a pleasant area to be. I currently live in Primrose Hill, which I think is pretty good, but perhaps a little bit showbizzy. What about Chelsea, Holland Park or Notting Hill (obviously incredibly expensive, but are there any good points?)

I am considering Richmond or even places right out of town, such as Henley, Haslemere, Buckinghamshire. Where is there in the country that has a reasonable commute?

Thank you very much for any advice.

Have you thought about Wandsworth and Clapham (SW) or Dulwich and Herne Hill (SE) which are all in Zone 2? From Dulwich and Herne Hill there are trains to London Bridge (Dulwich) or Blackfriars/Victoria (Herne Hill) for a 15 min commute and these areas are very childfriendly with good parks and good schools etc but not as expensive as Primrose Hill / Holland Park etc. And not on the tube network so not as well known.

I do like the sound of Dulwich village - sounds the perfect sort of place for us - although I don't know it very well. We do have family in Yorkshire and Gloucestershire, so I am inclined to look to the west or north of London. Otherwise, I might consider the gorgeous Sussex countryside, which I think has good commuter links. Dulwich might not be too bad, though. How do you think it compares with Richmond?

LuciaRose- have you considered Harpenden or St Albans (if you're willing to commute into london). Excellent schools and lots of ex-Londoners there.

We're in Queens Park - north west London - used to be in Belsize Park. Easy to get on to M1 from there. Nice area and v family orientated.

I'm in Richmond and really like it. Surrounding areas (Kew, Twickenham, St Margarets, Chiswick, East Sheen, Mortlake, Barnes etc are also nice and child-friendly).

Kingston upon Thames is lovely. Lots of green spaces, 17 mins into Waterloo from Surbiton, great schools, real community feel, lots going on for kids and adults alike.

Fulham! We live here and it's excellent, cheaper than Chelsea, everyone is very posh, lots and lots of kids around. Some nice parks/cafes.

LuciaRose - I don't actually know anyone who live in Richmond, but would say that Dulwich Village is quieter than Richmond (traffic-wise, shoppers etc). Dulwich has a very villagey feel which I think Richmond has lost (but, again, I only visit it to shop sometimes). I would expect that you would get more for your money housing-wise in Dulwich and because housing is still "reasonable" you find fewer houses converted into flats and more large single-family houses. I assume you will also be looking at schools and Dulwich does have two very good private schools (one boys- one girls-) if that is what you are after.

If you need quick access to the north and money is no object I would also consider Belsize Park, Hampstead, and, slightly cheaper I think, Highgate but if you already live in Primrose Hill you'd have considered this?

how could you move from Primrose Hill?? It's glorious if you can ignore all the snobs! I love living there, so many great parks on your doorstep and endless activities to do with little ones...

We have friends who live in Chenies in a cottage by a stream, it seems completely and utterly rural and is v beautiful (they filmed the beginning of the Big Breakfast there, remember that?!), but if you listen really hard you can hear the occasional rumble from the Metropolitan tube line which goes from Chorleywood into Baker St!
She has my life (I live in deepest Somerset), but is only 45 mins from London shops, theatres, Life with a capital L.

Sorry, flu-brain, Chenies is in Buckinghamshire

Teddington (just beyond Twickenham). Lovely, accessible parkland, on the river. Good schools. Very middle class but not snobbish.

North:
Muswell Hill
Highgate
Crouch End

West:
Richmond/Kew

S. East:
Blackheath

But I'd stay in P Hill

Thank you for all your suggestions. Do you really think Primrose Hill would be better than somewhere a bit further out and quieter, such as Richmond, or Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire? I suppose we are weighing up length of commute v. space and quality of life.

Personally, I'd go for Richmond over Primrose Hill every time but then I live in Richmond so I would say that!

Barnes or Dulwich. like villages in london, good commuting times. tres mc, if a little staid. Dulwich particularly has very good schools. I'm sure you know all this already.