550k a two or three bedroom place in West London?? No chance?

[tt7488]

We currently live with our DS (1) in Shepherds Bush in a two bedroom flat that is tiny tiny tiny but lovely and has quite a big garden (by London standards). We really need more space and hoping to have another one soon. Ideally we'd like somewhere that was 900 sq ft plus and with a garden so I am very very grudgingly starting to consider making the move further west. Would it be worth it? Am I likely to get somewhere really lovely for my money out in Acton or Ealing? Or would I need to move further?

Our childminder is in Shepherds Bush and I am loathe to leave her because she has had DS for so long and they have such a bond but maybe its worth it? Are there any really lovely places around Acton or Ealing? I don't know much about them. Presumably there are nice schools too?

Thanks in advance!

how far west are you prepared to go?
you could get 3 beds in Isleworth/Osterley park for that
DNs go to school round there and all is well

Are you happy there? I am nervous about going far out and being really far from our friends etc. Especially since we are in our early twenties so all of our friends are childless and living in trendy Brixton and East London! But I think I'd be OK with it if the area felt lovely and we had some nice cafes, pubs etc. But we do both work in Central London and don't spend enough time with DS as it is so don't want too long a commute. How long does it take you?

Id move out further to the chalfonts, ickenham, beaconsfield. Good schools, nice villagey feel but still very close to london.

I was considering Ealing and hopefully the cross rail will be great (??!)

What bits of Ealing are nice?

Does it have to be west London - assuming you move far enough that you have to change childminder. If you have friends in East London and work in town you could consider south east? With the new overland connections to east London are pretty speedy and you'd get a lot more for your money? I was further east, but you might want to ask about places like Forest Hill if another side of London would be a possibility?

You could get a 3 bed house in Teddington - just - for that. Teddington is fabulous, with the river, Bushy Park, Richmond Park, and excellent primary and secondary schools. BUT it is too far for a Shepherds Bush childminder! (Funny, I moved out here from that neck of the woods too.) The train takes 30-40 minutes into town, so that may be too far for you, but it is a very reliable service, with peak hour trains every 10 minutes.

Twickenham and Wimbledon have very quick connections into town, and i would be surprised if you couldn't find something for your budget.

you could get something in hanwell- not the most clubbing friendly location but good schools,lots for kids to do, green space and getting nicer shops no shortage of cafes... west ealing has waitrose and some nice houses but schools v mixed, central ealing only got v v churchy c of e school and no secondary - will be on cross rail, currently 15mins to paddington also nearish a40- hth

as always with lon though some parts not so nice and difference can be just street away - and good stuff goes quick (less than a week/same day) so you need to be on the estate agents speed dial....

If you are going to Acton, avoid anywhere south of the high street as it's vile there and you will have school catchment problems!

There are lots of families living in the poet's corner area (the area between Churchfield road, Horn lane and Acton Park). This is considered to be the nicest area in Acton.

There is a nice primary school (Derwentwater) and if you are CofE and a regular churchgoer, a great High school (Twyford). Churchfield road is slowly getting more gentrified with little coffee shops, delis etc. You can probably get 2 or 3 beds for your money e.g.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-24907203.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-24907203.html

I personally think Acton and Shepherd's Bush are a bit grim (am moving out!) and would look further out to get a better house in a nicer area regardless of the childminder. Do base your search around good schools though unless you want to move again in a few years time.

I would look at
Pitshanger (lovely and near ealing broadway with crossrail to come) or
Hanwell
South Ealing
Most of my West London friends have moved to the south east (E Dulwich, Brockley, Nunhead) so maybe that's got something going for it?!

Gah, posted the same property twice! Try this nice house:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-24152796.html

You can get a lovelyhouse in Ealing for that budget. I would recommend Northfields as there are a couple of great primary schools, Fielding and Little Ealing. The high street is lovely and has a proper butchers, bakers, fishmongers, cheese shop etc. You're on the Picadilly line to get into town or can walk or get the bus to Ealing Broadway for central line. You're also walking distance to West Ealing overground which goes into Paddington or a short bus ride to Brentford to travel into Waterloo.
I used to live there and only moved away because our budget was almost half yours.