Affluent but affordable living outside of central London?

[startafamilyinlondon]

Hello, my husband and I want to start a family so are looking to move out of our "location, location, location" flat to live in an actual home. We might rent for a few years until our future child/children become of primary school age when we would move near where they are accepted (company pays for school so going private). In the case of renting we are looking >1000 per week and hoping for 800 (3-4 bedrooms, >2 bathrooms, we want something that feels special in an area that is very nice (close to shops, close to parks, transport into London isn't a headache).

Anywhere else in the world I would expect a stunning architecturally appealing and interior designed house, here in London I am finding that you have to settle! I am new to London and only know the areas around us, please help me with what postcodes/areas I should look at and in them which are the "nicer" streets to be in?

So far I am thinking of Battersea park (close to London, Park nearby, but from what I see for my price range and around the park I have to manage with one bathroom), Clapham Common (know nothing about!), Dulwich Village (Again, nothing, but love what I read about it. How far is a driving commute into Canary Wharf???) Can anyone comment on these? Or any other areas you recommend that would get my husband into Canary Wharf without too much of a hassle and that are near the rest of London but still spacious?!

Thank you!!!

Argh just wrote long post and then lost it.

In summary:

Driving to Canary Wharf is a bit nuts. If he insists, look at Blackheath, Greenwich or Dulwich.

If he'll take the tube: I strongly recommend a look at Highbury. Nice and leafy, and East London Line (new and uncrowded) to Canada Water. Or you could look at West Hampstead. Not sure what schools are like in those areas, but they are definitely small-child friendly areas.

I'd avoid SW London (Clapham/Battersea/Balham) - transport to Canary Wharf will be pretty nasty. Good private schools though.

You could check out the river boat commute option - goes to Putney, Richmond and Chelsea Harbour which might fit the bill.

Amazing that your company pays for schooling!

investment bank i'd wager.

chandellina I know quite a few investment bankers and none of their employers pays for schooling! You're probably right though.

I'd look at somewhere like West Hampstead. For c.£1k a week you should be able to get a really decent 3 bed flat or house - lovely architecture and direct Jubilee link to Canary Wharf etc & short hop to Marylebone/Bond Street. Something like this or this

Otherwise I'd go SW to Richmond/Barnes and get a scooter for commuting.

Have a look at Wapping. Not many houses but lovely flats on the river. You can walk to CW in 40 mins or drive or bus. It's not posh but its a great place to live.

what about highgate, although otherside of london from most of the areas you seem to be looking at but okay if he would travel on the tube. there seems to be loads of private schools and area is nice and leafy, green although not that far from central, and has big houses available

Something like this
www.globrix.com/property-details/32780024-amerland_road-london-sw18-4_bed-house

is about as good as that budget gets you in zone 2ish.

Friends live in Putney and the DH used to drive to CW every day (though early - 7am) and it was OK. Does he really need to drive?

We lived in Fulham and DH got the tube to CW and that's OK too though a good hour.

I think the OP is an expat as that level of housing and schooling subsidy is quite a standard package, though much harder to get these days. I still think Richmond would be the best choice offering a beautiful environment to live in and quick access to central London. Driving across London even at 7am is still a nightmare. The OP dh should try a few of the commuting routes and see which ones he could do long term use this info to choose their area. Blackheath would be my second choice though doubt whether it would offer a shorter commute either by public transport or driving (loath the blackwall tunnel)

Affluent and affordable are two very vague words, it all depends on your point of view. I suppose you mean a one-million-pound house, is that right?

(some people would disagree that this is affluent, and some people would disagree that it is affordable, you know)