Help needed: Moving from New York to London!

[bm2084]

I will be moving in February 2016 to London, My son then will 2.5 years old. My husband and I will be working in Canary Wharf. Please suggest good neighborhoods around Canary Wharf with good pre school options. How expensive are the private schools? Do you think private schools are better? What are my options for my 2.5 years old? We will be renting, also suggest some nice and safe neighborhood.

Thank you everyone for helping in advance. I am very excited as well as nervous and I am glad I found this powerful group!

Hi,
I'm afraid you may have posted in the wrong area, maybe move post to Home and Garden/ living overseas, you may get better and more answers.

Meanwhile, I can tell you that state nursery only starts from 3 years old, so before that your option would be either nanny or private nursery.
For neighbourhood really, there is plenty to choose from and different places mean different budgets. Mainly I would keep in mind the time spent commuting and therefore, look at the transports. You can find great places along the jubilee line for ex,and that will take you straight to canary wharf. Try and define what you would like to have in the area you'll live, how far you're willing to travel and a budget for rent and then go from there. I hear Greenwich is lovely place to live and very close to where you'll work...
When you decide on the area, have a look at ofsted to help you choosing the school.

As I said, you'll get better support in the living overseas section....just didn't want to leave you with no answer in such an exiting but also scary time!
Good luck

You wouldn't get more help in living overseas, that's for people leaving UK for other countries, not coming to the UK

This all totally depends on budget, a private prep school's fees (that's the school before secondary school usually 4-11) are typically £5000+ a term for three terms.

There are endless debates on here on whether private schools are better than state schools. I'd say often, but not always, you need to do in-depth research and decide how to spend your money.

The jubilee line is good for Canary Wharf, as mentioned, so that is a good starting point plus other train lines into the area. But again, budget is everything, as I'm sure you know, London is very, very expensive.

Good luck.

Well I would second considering living in Greenwich. It is lovely and you can get the DLR to Canary Wharf. There is a big park on your doorstep as well as the Maritime Museum Observatory and Cutty Sark and you are walking distance from Blackheath, which is also lovely.

As your DS will be 2.5yo when you arrive as already said private nursery, nanny or child minder will be your initial options for childcare. With nurseries, recommendations only go so far, I think. You really need to visit a few to get a feel for the one that you think would suit your DS best. The Local Authority in the area you decide to live will generally have lists of all the registered childcare options in the borough so that is a good place to start.

Once he is old enough for pre-school,, various school based pre-schools might be suitable but, of course you will have to factor in your/your DH's work hours as most pre-schools do roughly the same hours as a regular shcool , so maybe 8.30/9 to 3/3.30 ish, not much good when you work standard hours. My DD stayed at her private nursery until she started school and many children do.

Unfortunately as I don't live in Greenwich or any other area round CW, I don't know anything about the schools in these areas, although I have got the impression that the state offering is a mixed bag - some excellent, some really not. Private school wise, there are plenty of options I think, for boys, Eltham College would be within decent commuting distance from Greenwich for example and it has a fantastic reputation,, albeit it only takes boys from 7 up so somewhere else would be needed for a few years.

Really it would be worth heading to the Primary Education section on here and asking for advice about schools round whatever area you decide on.

In case you are interested in looking at Greenwich this is a link to a local free magazine about the area which might be interesting to look at: meridian-magazine.co.uk/ - it has a few adverts for local schools/nurseries, although for obvious reasons, I think all or most of these are private options rather than state schools

Oops, just noticed you have posted to Primary Education. Nevertheless I would post here again when you have narrowed down your area of choice.

In the meantime maybe re-post this in Chat? It gets more traffic and that way, you should get a mix of opinions on good places to live.

FTR, private nursery means daycare and childminder means home daycare. Children can go to state nursery (preschool) from the September after they turn 3. They go to reception the September after they turn 4, and you have to apply for state schools the previous January. I'd look for somewhere with good state schools, I'm not sure what's commutable to canary wharf though. Inner London schools can be hit and miss and the good ones are very full--you have to be very careful where you live in order to get in. Does your dhs company offer any advice?

Are you moving to new jobs or are you transferring? If it's a transfer I would expect your company to provide you with some relocation support. This is the sort of thing that a relocation firm will be very good for. I know that at my firm they help with finding schools, and doctors, and setting up bank accounts, etc. as well finding you somewhere to live.

If you are moving to new jobs with new employers are you being offered a relocation package. It's worth asking as I found the support invaluable every time I relocated for work.

Actually, some state pre-schools/nursery schools and most private nursery schools now take children from age two. (And that's the term after 2nd birthday in some cases, in other cases it's the school year starting after 2nd birthday) So OP if the nursery school/pre-school system might work for you (they are usually open only during school term times i.e. 38 weeks, and during school hours), then by all means check if the pre-schools around your chosen area take them from two, before discounting this possibility.

Nurseries (generally private) will have long hours and be open e.g. 51 weeks/year. For pre-school age children i.e. 3+ they will provide the same provision as you would find in a pre-school, but with the longer opening hours.

From the term after your child turns 3 you qualify for 15 hours free, which you can claim in most settings (private or state, pre/nursery school or nursery; but not from nannies and only some childminders). Many (especially state) pre-schools won't let you send your child for more than those 15 hours. In the nurseries you can still send them full time, you just make up for the cost.

If you are looking to go down the private school route, then it is worth knowing that some private schools (prep schools) have their own associated/attached nurseries or pre-schools. (Pre-prep) That would provide your child with a seamless experience without too many transitions.

Also, there are some American Schools within commuting distance to London/CW. If you think you may be returning to the US at some point, or moving onwards, then that would maybe be an option to consider? If you can afford private.

Canary Wharf is great for work but not so much for family life. Greenwich and Blackheath are good areas, definitely worth looking at. West Hampstead is the other side of london but it's quick on the Jubilee line and also a good area for families.

Have a look at a tube map and you can check journey times using this page . That will give you an idea how easily you can commute from different parts of london.
Once your DS is in school rather than day care you will need some after school care e.g. nanny, childminder, whereas if he goes to a day nursery they would have him from 8:30 - 5:30 or whatever. Some private schools have a nursery and will start at age 3, some start at age 4. It would probably be upwards of £4k per term. Some state schools are excellent, but it can be a bit hit and miss in London. Do you have relocation expenses? Maybe you could get a relocation consultant to help you with all of this.

What's the budget for your rent per month?

Are you relocating with a company? I was recently talking to someone from the States who has just moved to London as her Husband was working in Canary Wharf. She said they were all moving to a very expensive part of Surrey and using the schools there - bit of a commute, but there was a fairly big US Expat community.

Someone else I know ended up in Hertfordshire, and her Husband commutes (no expat package in their case).

Many people live outside London and commute in.

I think if both you and your DH are going to be working in Canary Wharf as you say in your OP, living far away somewhere in the Home Counties (Surrey etc) and commuting isn't going to be ideal, certainly if you go for any other childcare option than a nanny. I can see it might work well if one of you is a SAHP, however.

Parts of Kent or Essex might be exceptions as they are the counties that are closest to CW.

Personally if I was coming to London from NY on a short term basis, I would want to be as close to the city and work as possible. If you are relocating long term, you can always reconsider once you know the south east better.

This group is amazing! Thank you all for your help/inputs.

Per you recommendations: I am going to look into Greenwich area.

How is the wait in private nurseries? Will my DS get a spot as soon as we come there, this is my biggest concern as we do not have an option to work from home. Its definitely not the case in NYC where there is a long wait for everything

About our budget: its around 2.5k pounds /month. Sorry could not found pound sign...Can we get a reasonable 2bed/2bath flat? We both will be transferring from our respective companies but not on expat package as this is something we asked for..yes we asked to move to London from NY!

Location: we definitely want to live close to work, given an option I will stay in Canary wharf but heard from so many people that it is not very child friendly. Is that true?

A couple of you asked if we are going to get any relocation help: hopefully we will get some but I have no clarity now as we asked for this move so there is less room of negotiation. To be very frank, I am glad to have found this group and amazed by all the responses.

I am so so excited to move, but moving with a little one is not easy, so many things to figure out...thank you again for all your support!

I think you could get something for that money. But have a look on www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent.html and type in Canary Wharf or Greenwich or whatever and it will give you an idea of what kind of properties are available in the area and allows you to view nearby schools as well.

Personally I would go for Greenwich over Canary Wharf as it feels to me like more of a residential area. Also it is full of children and I am pretty sure it will be full of toddler-type activities. If nothing else, there is a pottery painting cafe there which we visit occasionally and which I would live in if we were a bit closer.

The only downside of Greenwich is it is a very touristy area but if you can deal with that, it is great.

Can you tell I wish I lived there?

A quick look at that Rightmove link suggests your budget will get you a good 2 bed place in either area.

Oh and as to waiting lists for nurseries, there may be waiting lists yes, although I would imagine you would be able to find something somewhere but you don't want to take a chance on what that might be.

It might be worth posting for recommendations on the preschool board here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/preschool once you have a rough idea of areas you are aiming for. Then you can get your DS on any waiting lists now so he has a place in February.

If you are not entirely happy with your choice then, you can always look around for something else (there may be notice requirements of a month or so) but at least you have somewhere safe for him to go in the early days.

Just found this guide to schools in different boroughs in London which might be useful - it includes all levels of education including pre-school: www.foxtons.co.uk/education/greenwich/#school_type=nursery. Foxtons are an upmarket estate agent.

Thank you FrozenATemy daughter. This is really useful. Also, is it common to get furnished flats when renting. I was hoping to use my own furtinure..

I think you can find both and both are fairly common. Some places will allow you to choose, though I suppose might charge more if they have to pay to store furniture as a result. Not always though.

Look for houses within walking distance of the Lewisham DLR station
Nice big Victorian and Edwardian houses
not far to the Blackheath schools (state and private)
nice restaurants
decent shopping

I would agree with all the above areas, but would also suggest looking at the Barbican estate.

It is a different kind of place and life, but absolutely fantastic for children if you would potentially be interested in a more urban life. I think there would be some flats just about within budget but there will never be a huge choice as it is SO popular. Some great schools within a walk or bus ride. Barbican Centre literally on your doorstep. A kind of magical kingdom.

One thing to bear in mind - per square foot London property is significantly one expensive than Manhattan. What are your size requirements? Will you be happy with a 700sqft 2 bed flat or would you prefer something larger? And is your expectation to live in a very middle class area or are you happy somewhere more mixed? Canary Wharf (the immediate area) is populated by business types with lots of internationals. It's very clean and sterile, lots of nice restaurants and wine bars, nice shopping mall. Feels very corporate, just as you would expect. Expensive flats in skyscrapers. Greenwich is very diverse - rich bits, poor bits, street markets, tourists, lots of period properties which are much cheaper per square foot, parks, museums, the river, more bohemian...... Very, very different areas.... Also very close to each other by public transport.

With regard to schools, it very very much depends what you are looking for! There will be international schools teaching the US curriculum if you would like that, but if you want a UK curriculum you'll find everything from good state schools, alternative schools, religious schools, independent schools, independent prep schools..... And nurseries which will suit each. I would say though, that if you want a Prep school then you will stand the best chance of getting in if you register now for their nursery departments with about 6-8 schools. It seems ridiculous, but many kids will have been registered for the school's Reception Year since birth and some schools will have entrance tests for Reception even if the child has attended their own nursery. Also, there may be a few that you decide you don't like once you have actually visited them!

If you want a State school, you need to read the admission criteria carefully. Many will operate on a home-to-school distance basis, meaning that unless you have (for example) a child with special needs for whom you have completed the necessary paperwork then you will need to live within a certain distance of the school to get a place. AFAIK in that area of London the distance will vary from roughly a mile right down to 200 yards, depending on how popular the school is and how many places they have. This means that if you are fairly picky about the school it may be wise to choose the school first and then find a house within the necessary distance..... Sometimes people are very picky about state schools because the quality varies so massively - one area can have some outstanding ones and some truly terrible ones.

If you want a regular private school or a religious / other specialist one then it may be easier.

Also, would you consider living outside of London and commuting in? It's a million times easier with schools and you'd be able to get a much nicer property! Feel free to message me if you want more info.

Where are you living in NY? Do you want somewhere similar?

Chiswick or Barnes/Putney...Chiswick is lovely... great schools.

my suggestions are not near Canary Wharf but many guys in finance live in Barnes because it's just such a lovely part of London... Loads of green space in Barnes and Chiswick... very family friendly.

Shad Thames is brilliant.

Wherever, be very careful which letting agent you use...Foxtons would be one I'd personally avoid like the plague...Google the reasons why at your leisure.

British and American curriculums....If you're staying for only a few years and going back then do consider sticking with one system.

You'll have a great time.