Renting in Swiss Cottage and want to move to an affordable family friendly area

[Shar86]

Hi all,

We have lived in northwest London - around Finchley and Swiss Cottage for past 5 years. But with the ever mounting rents and a 3 year old daughter about to start school, it has become very expensive to live here. We have been spoilt with the parks, library, zoo and everything around here, that we have no clue on where to move. Husband needs to commute to Liverpool Street for work.

What would be an affordable family friendly area with good schools and healthcare? Ideally we should be able to rent a 3 bed under 2k in the short term and then be able to buy in the long term. Please suggest some areas with not a very long commute into work for DH.

Leyton / Leytonstone / Wanstead are a v easy commute for your DH and probably cheap enough.

To add to the list above: Walthamstow/Blackhorse road. You can commute to Liverpool Street in under 20 mins from st James street.
You could easily rent a three bed for that money. Houses are in the 650-800k depending on bedrooms and period features. We moved here from Crouch End and there's no point beating about the bush; it ain't no North London, it is an improving area, you're on the overground and tube, close to the marshes and Epping Forest. A lot of people have migrated here from Stoke Newington and North London, but the area is still diverse. Schools (primary) are good/outstanding, so there are good points.

How about SE London like Forest Hill, Honor Oak, Sydenham? On the overground which your DH could take direct to Shoreditch, not far from Liverpool Street. Very family friendly with great schools and plenty of green space. You should still be able to get a 3 bedroom house for under 2k.