Commuting distance to schools

[Arghhelp]

Hello everyone

We are thinking of relocating (currently right in the centre of NW London) so that we can buy a larger house with a bigger garden. But our DS has been accepted at a school on Fitzjohn's Avenue NW3. How long of a commute is reasonable for a 4 year old? Also what is a reasonable distance to live and still have playdates etc that are doable? Would really appreciate your help as we are wondering whether to buy further out or rent close to school?

Honestly and truthfully - the closer you live to school the better, and you and your DS will have more fun if all his friends are local.

It's hard to know without you saying where you are moving to. If you were going out to Golders Green or similar with a quick route to school, it might be fine and you'd find the kids around there going to a range of different schools too.

I don't think there is any hurry for you to move. So many of the children at the schools on Fitzjohn don't live within walking distance, so there isn't much point in you moving to live close by when hardly anyone else does. You don't want to end up hosting all the playdates at yours because of being in a convenient location. When your son starts Reception class he will probably be relieved to climb into a car at the end of the day for 15 minutes or so of quiet and rest. His new friends are likely to be either equally tired, or being rushed off to pick up an older sibling from another school, being taken to their tennis lesson etc. There will probably be plenty of whole class birthday parties at weekends where you can get to know his classmates and their parents.
Being able to walk to school is handy, but can still be stressful due to child moaning they are too tired to walk/ torrential rain regularly coinciding with the school run/ making sure your child doesn't crash into someone on their scooter/ having busy roads to cross.

As you already have the place, it must be a private school. So I echo the advice above. The other pupils will be coming from all over the place (as distance from the school is not a criterion). Live where it suits your family plans best, and think only about your own DC's stamina on the journey. Because private school playdates will be all over the place, whether you are near or far.

Hello everyone, thanks loads. We were looking at Golders Green actually but as far as I can tell, it takes about 45 mins in during the school run and am not sure a new school and long school run will be great after living for years within 5 minutes of everything. Hence the worry.

Also looking at Queens Park, West Hampstead (flats) etc. Any advice on a good location would also be so very appreciated.

Thanks a lot ladies...getting a bit desperate with house prices soaring and not knowing what to do..I guess the only other alternative is to rent closer but feel like that would be an utter waste...sigh!