Somewhere to settle in London with two DCs?

[Chocolatenowplease]

A post made in desperation!

We have a DS aged 15 months and another on the way, and we're looking to move to another location in London.

We've lived in our two bedroom maisonette in Kennington for the last five years, which we've loved, but we're now looking for somewhere a bit more set up for families to spend the next 5-10 years. Somewhere with a friendly high street, nice schools, and a sense of community.

DH works in Westminster, so a commute terminating in Vauxhall or Victoria would be ideal; the shorter the better as it would be nice to have help with the new baby in the mornings and evenings.

We think we could afford up to £650k at a stretch (assuming no massive commute costs), and ideally we would want somewhere with three bedrooms.

We've been searching for weeks and suspect we're asking for too much, but we thought we'd check to see whether anyone out there can help us! Equally, if anyone has faced a similar decision and had to compromise it would be great to hear how you decided what to do.

Walthamstow? Easy commute on the Victoria line, lots of families, nice sense of community.

Penge SE20, about 18mins to Victoria. Great community, lovely schools, Alexandra Infants and Alexandra Juniors. High Street, while not the loviest is functional. Close proximity to Crystal Palace for naice shops. Lots of green space , Crystal Palace Park, Alexanda Park, Cator Park. There is a lovely property on Right move ( don't know how to link £600 000, Rayleigh Road.

Beckenham. V family orientated nice high st and lovely park

Bromley

Trains take around 18mins to Victoria from Bromley south station

Another vote for Beckenham. Great schools and community. Easy commute to Victoria (19 mins from Kent House station I believe)

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I was wondering whether Penge or Beckenham might work for us so it's reassuring to see them mentioned here. I will look into both a bit further. That house does look lovely MrsPatterson, thanks! Do you have experience of Alexandra Infants and Alexandra Juniors? I've heard they are very popular.

Can anyone tell me whether Penge, Beckenham or Bromley is better from the point of view of secondaries? And do I even need to be thinking that far ahead yet?! DS is 15 months.

Hi - have children in both schools and v happy with both of them. In saying that there is a lot of primary school choice in Penge. Not so well served as Beckenham. The Langley secondaries are very well regarded.

• not do well served with secondaries as Beckenham

Balgowan primary in Beckenham. Langley is a good popular secondary

Carshalton / Carshalton Beeches. Zone 5. Direct train to Victoria 25mins. Has a number of Outstanding schools within the area.

If you're looking to be there 5-10 years make your next move the move for a good secondary school. Then you can focus on primaries now

Thanks everyone, some really helpful ideas to follow up here. Much appreciated.

Definitely look out SE way, Pence, Beckenham, Bromley etc. Excellent schools to be found, along with quick journeys into town, and the countryside.