Where to buy a house? SW London Zone 1-2, maybe 3 with good public transport.

[SW1XMother]

We moved back from NYC to London a few months ago and live in our flat in SW1 at the moment with our nanny and two children. Flat is large enough but we all dream of a house and a garden, so that we can possibly have a dog. Eldest daughter is just over two now and we need to think about pre-schools but also if we want to stay in the area. We would like to buy a house but buying a house that we like in SW1 is despite our high income nearly impossible.

Can anybody recommend a lovely part in SW London Zone 1-2, possibly 3 if there are good transport links to the City that has an excellent school?

I would not go for Clapham with your budget, would not want the Northern Line.

I would not live anywhere near Kensington either, not with kids.

I lived in Kensington for 2 years, in Stratford Village. I walked up Allen Street, down High st Ken every day, to go to work In Church Street. I literally thought I was going to suffocate from car fumes.

I'd look at routes in to mainline stations. They tend to be quicker and more comfortable. I would not want to be on the Northern line because it's so unreliable and the central line is hellish in rush hour.

It is really quick from Waterloo to Fleet Street on the bus. Or you could walk from Farringdon.

Pure We don't have to spend the whole amount for the property. Could use something to decorate the new home to our liking. House is relatively close to Clapham Junction, so it would be only 10 Minutes to London Bridge from there, right?

I really need to open a London map and have a look.

Or consult a property finder .

Barnes!!!!!

Katie, City Thameslink is right around the corner.

I think this is going to be a tricky one.

DH would not mind to move more to the country side e.g Sevenoaks as the fast train from there to London Bridge is only 28 minutes or so. Shot me when I am wrong.

What we both don't want is an area where everybody seems to be in a competition with each other e.g biggest/best/most expensive house/car/etc. but I would still like be in an area where we could easily get to the museums (NHM and Science Museum etc.) as our nanny loves to take the children there.

Anything on the Central Line would be perfect too.

I am doing some research now.

SW1X- our friends made the move to Sevenoaks. They bought a new build (50's) detached home and are doing a massive refurbishment/extension at the moment. They love the area and have their girls in a really nice school nearby (walthamstow hall i think? With a view to sending them to the grammar later) have met a lot of lovely local families too and enjoy the weekend farmers markets... We looked at it a few years ago but as i don't drive i felt it may be a little isolated as we looked at a bigger house off the beaten track. Glad we didn't but will re consider if we have another DC.

Thanks Abbyfromoz. I just had a look. Not only is there a train from Sevenoaks to London Bridge but also to Charing Cross and Cannon Street which is a big plus as we can walk from both stations too.

Puh, I feel like staying a bit longer in our flat and doing extensive research and looking at all the areas.

I have family in Sevenoaks. It is very middle England. Dh and I agree that it's nice but not for us. We like to be closer to the city.

If you like the museums then look at Richmond or Kew. The district line runs right to South Ken but you can also get a fast train in to Waterloo. Or look at Barnes. You can walk over the bridge to Hammersmith and get the Picadilly or District lines to South Ken. You could also take it to Holborn station. There are two mainline train lines from Barnes: Barnes and Barnes Bridge.

Look what we can get for our budget in Sevenoaks

Maybe I really need consider moving out to Sevenoaks.

Yeah, but you'd have to live in Sevenoaks

It's not London. I do love London.

Yes, me too. I lived in many cities but London is by far my favourite.

OP, you talk about Central line and the museums, but ignored my post about the area north of High St Kensington (w8) - or additionally Holland park (w11). Yes, the house wouldn't be as big as in the outer areas but everything is so easy to access from there, and you are near two nice parks.
Btw areas like Sevenoaks and Surrey are FAR MORE competitive and snobby than w8. South Ken is not as snobby as just foreign - lots of French, I like that, but there is not much community. In w8 there is more of a mix,someone on other thread praise Abington village as nice for community.
Train to Seveoaks is 30 min and hellish in rush hour (old trains, no seats), ditto travelling by tube to richmond (more like 45 min) even though the area nice.
Battersea is very nice if you are right by the park, but be prepared for a long walk to the tube in the rain/cold.

'praised Abingdon', that should be.

Allaflutter didn't ignore you, just forgot to reply. I really appreciate your advice. Thank you. I have a look now.

Allaflutter is spot on.

I'd say that the Northern line is pretty reliable at the moment actually - no less reliable than the Central, possibly better (apart from the occasional engineering closures at weekends).

But yes, actually getting onto it from the three Claphams is a nightmare at morning rush-hour, and that is a huge downside unless you start work at 7:30am. In the longer term the extension to Battersea will relieve a bit of the pressure, and make the commute from Battersea much easier (and push up house prices all along the extension), but it won't

..be open until 2020.

I live near Richmond and the commute to the city isn't bad, 15 mins to Waterloo on the fast train.

Lots of fab schools around Hampton, Twickenham, Teddington too, although that's probably too far out although still only 30mins on the train.

You really dont want to move to SevenOaks just to get a massive old British Cold and drafty mansion. You dont need a house like that. My friend pays 2k per month in gas and electricity on a house half the size and has her cleaner 8 hours per week. My other friend complains she cant afford to heat her pool!

The more you say about what you want, the more I am thinking that Richmond, with either Richmond Proper, Barnes and East Sheen will tick all your boxes.

If you are already in London, hire a taxi for the day to drive you around, one neighborhood at the time. You will love Barnes Village and Richmond Village. Drive through Richmond Park from Roehampton Gate to Richmond Gate. Go up to Pembroke Lodge, admire the views. Go to King Henrys Mound (short walk from Pembroke Lodge), and look at St Pauls Cathedral (yes, really), go into Richmond and look at the shops and the cafes. You will find some major brands such as Ted Baker and Calvin Klein, along with your Zara home and your Laura Ashley. Go to the Slug and Lettuce for a drink while you watch Thames flow by, with its swans and ducks.

Then imagine daily life, for yourself at the weekend, and your nanny and your children weekdays.

Christ Quint I want to do all that... and I live here! I'm going to add... potter up Richmond Hill looking at the galleries, interior shops, boutiques and the cheese shop and popping in to The Lion and Unicorn the best children's book shop as rated by (former??) children's laureate Jacqueline Wilson. A walk by the river and a hot chocolate at the cafe in the Terrace Gardens or all the way to Petersham Nursery for coffee and cake also appeals.

At the risk of repeating myself, fast train to Waterloo then bus. Only someone with time to kill or who needs to travel on the cheap would go on the district line because it takes an age.

Oh and WholeFoods opening soon!