Please recommend an area in London for families

[Fabi76]

Hello! I am not very familiar with London and need to move in three months. My husband and I have a baby and are looking for a house where we can stay for at least 10 years, so big enough for a growing family. I am appalled with the house prices, could you suggest an area with relatively good schools, access to public transport (to commute to Central London)and some nice parks nearby? We were thinking about north west or west but it could also be anywhere else as long as it's well connected.

Many thanks for your advice!!

North acton is nice, better connected than chiswick and less mumsy( born in chiswick)

South Woodford E18 is fab with Odeon cinema, supermarkets, library, other essential shops, tube station and bus routes within walking distance. Ask for The Firs Estate at local estate agents. For £900K you will be fine.

Its on the Central Line (red) so it's easy to get everywhere. They are building a huge John Lewis and M & S a few tube stations away at Stratford for the Olympics too.

If you both work, a short and easy commute is essential, IME.

Herne Hill would be excellent as the number 3 bus goes directly to Millbank, while the Thameslink Overground goes quickly to the City. Also the fabulous Brockwell Park and Lido would be on your doorstep. Good independent schools v close by, less choice for state, though Rosendale is very good.

Brixton is great, you need to be on the doorstep of Sudbourne School for Brixton state schools - but it has the Ritzy Cinema, Brockwell Park, good shopping and the TUBE!

Clapham is great, on the tube, good shopping and cinema, the common - buy v close to Clapham Manor for good state primary.

You might like East Dulwich / Lordship lane area - good shopping and cafes, I think the tube is rumoured to be on it's way there, but otherwise the travel is a bit tortuous.

Balham v close to Telferscot School is very nice, close to tube and good facilities

Excellent value but not as glam is Streatham Hill, especially the so-called 'ABCD' roads, of which Downton, Wavertree, Nuthurst and Normanhurst should get you into sought after Streatham Wells state primary and then Dunraven secondary, with the lovely Independent Streatham and Clapham Girls at the end of the road. Choice of 2 good overground stations 10ins walk, or 10 min bus ride to Brixton.

Kew and neighbouring places have significant plane noise because of Heathrow. MUCH louder than over Central London. Kew is lovely, though.

But with your budget, my preference would be to live as close in as possible and cut down your travel time so that you can see as much as possible of your children, and then travel outwards to places like Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath etc at weekends. If you both work long hours, you won't have chance to enjoy the benefits of the leafy outskirts and neighbourhood cafes during the week anyway!

Chiswick...