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Original poster

Where to move to in London with young kids

107 replies

undereyebags · 05/04/2016 15:29

I know this has probably been done to death sorry!
Have 1m max max max budget. Would want to do work - not quite a proper renovation but more than happy to do kitchen, extension etc over time. Want a garden and prefer not to be 1930s suburb as they give me the shudders - though this is from past bad experience so perhaps if area is lively I could be persuaded.
2 pre schoolers so need to be in catchment for good state primary.
In an area with some community feel and a bit of soul - villagey if that is a word? And near green for children. Obviously needs to be safe area. Not asking much am I?!
Don't want to move out of London. We've thought about it and not ready. Plus both work so don't want commute to be too long - max hour door to door. Work near Bank/Barbican way. Happy to cycle/run to work too.
Currently looking at:
Crystal Palace
Alexandra Palace
Twickenham

Any other good areas you can recommend and why?

Thanks!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
undereyebags · 05/04/2016 19:43

You get a lot more in hither green and forest hill don't you? And catford - wow that house is amazing!

I don't know anything about these areas in se - they all seemed much of a muchness. I guess I need to look at commute and primaries as a starter then go for wander to see. I know catford is a bit grim now but on the up. Just a bit concerned not much green space nearby and v hemmed in, but wow what you can get!

How do people choose where to live? Very tricky weighing it all up.

OP posts:
Original poster
undereyebags · 05/04/2016 19:44

Glorious hither green must be nice! How generous of u to offer to show me round Smile

OP posts:
dynevoran · 05/04/2016 20:15

Stokey I think you'd struggle to get a 3 bed now for a mill.

Wanstead is a lovely place and definitely villagey etc but it does not feel like London and if you're a bit shuddery about suburbs i'd have thought it was a definite no....unless suburbs are okay but it's more 1930s houses you don't like?

dynevoran · 05/04/2016 20:16

I live and am currently moving within walthamstow so I'm totally biased but it's a lovely place where 1mil gets a very nice house. Lots going on culturally and for kids , near the forest and quick into Liverpool St on the train 12-17 mins depending on which station you're next to.

dynevoran · 05/04/2016 20:22

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-40728333.html

Lovely road next to station...1 stop or 10-15 min walk from tube station and next to forested areas and a high Street full of weird and wonderful independent shops.

DustOffYourHighestHopes · 05/04/2016 20:29

The commute in to Central London from Hither Green is laughable. Hither Green is a rail hub where lines meet, lots of trains go from there. Blackheath is also good but more ££.

DustOffYourHighestHopes · 05/04/2016 20:29

Look up Manor House GArdens

LupinIvy · 05/04/2016 20:32

Wanstead/ South Woodford/ Snaresbrook all really nice, I preferred Wanstead to South Woodford but thats just personal preference. Is a bit 'essex' (have seen people from TOWIE in the the street/ some scenes are filmed there) but can't see why that would be a problem!

LupinIvy · 05/04/2016 20:33

PS would be a good commute to Bank as can get direct on the Central line - is busy though even that far out (zone 4)

SarfEast1cated · 05/04/2016 20:44

Come to Brockley may need some work Grin really nice and friendly area, with a lot of outstanding junior and secondary schools. Some really nice shops opening now and restaurants, and gorgeous parks. If I had your budget i would be thrilled!

This house would be lovely too - the Horniman is fabulous if you can be near it

There's not much around at the mo but it

SarfEast1cated · 05/04/2016 20:45

posted too soon!

There's not much around at the mo but it is definitely an area to keep an eye on.

sixinabed · 05/04/2016 20:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bibblebobblebubble · 05/04/2016 21:55

I'm in Alexandra Park (the Muswell Hill end). I prefer it to Crouch End / Stoke Newington - it has a more spacious feel - wider roads, quieter and greener. There are great parks, decent local shops (deli & cafe, 24hr shop, pub), library, and Muswell Hill very close by.

If you can get in catchment (small) then Rhodes avenue is a lovely primary school and right next door to APS which is an outstanding secondary. Prices have gone up but a 3 bed for around £1m is possible I think, they get snapped up fast.

I do the Ally Pally - Moorgate commute every day - it's pretty good - quick, reasonably reliable. Can be a crush at peak time but I still think it's way better than the tube. And if the train line goes down, there's also Bounds Green tube as a backup.

Have heard Brockley good too - quite a different feel - more urban.

Feel free to PM me

bibblebobblebubble · 05/04/2016 21:56

house in alexandra park - link

Avebury · 05/04/2016 22:02

Sheen/Mortlake - very villagey, good primary schools but not so great for secondary. Train to Waterloo and v close to Richmond Park.

Noodlebugs1981 · 05/04/2016 22:07

Try Winchmore Hill, good schools, large period houses for 800k, a few nice pubs and some gorgeous parks to keep the little ones interested.

glorious · 05/04/2016 22:07

under lots of people do love it here. Brindishe Lee or Brindishe Green are popular schools. Or St Winifred's if you happen to be Catholic. I have just done a guide to the area for a friend who is moving here and I'd happily email that to you if it would help. There is nothing in there on stuff for children because they don't have any, but there is heaps to do. We live within a 10 minute walk of at least five playgrounds and you have swimming pools, several good value council soft plays, fantastic museums like the Horniman and the National Maritime Museum a short bus ride away.

light possibly! I am far from incognito on here as I used to organise local meet ups. I have a 3yo DD. I have always drooled over those Corbett houses. Maybe when we move back to London.

glorious · 05/04/2016 22:09

Oh and p.s. Under as far as Catford goes both Ladywell Fields and Mountsfield Park are nice, fairly large and within an easy walk of the right areas. Plus it's quite easy to get out into the countryside on the thameslink. Equally it is easy to do that from Hither Green.

Moving15 · 05/04/2016 22:10

What about Eltham? There are lovely Corbett's around there which would suit your budget and leave you some money for improvements.

Justputyourshoesonnow · 06/04/2016 07:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ocelot41 · 06/04/2016 07:13

Another vote for Hither Green! . Area around Manor House gardens especially nice Edwardian terraces and bigger semi det houses down toward Lee. Lovely, friendly community, great schools and easy commute to Cannon St

ocelot41 · 06/04/2016 07:17

DM me if you want to meet and be shown round. There are lots of nice cafes etc but many are tucked away in back streets SK you might not see them on a random wander around. We have 3 big green parks in 10 min walkable distance, Blackheath is 15 mins and Greenwich park is a bit further. Also super easy to escape to Kent for hills/nice pub lunches

Ifailed · 06/04/2016 07:25

alongside Brockley, I'd add Telegraph hill, Nunhead, East Dulwich etc. All are near to town. The nearer you get to Dulwich and Brixton, the higher the price.

Undercooked · 06/04/2016 07:39

Acton. You could get a nice house near Derwent Water primary. It will rocket in price when Crossrail built.