I've posted on here before so some of you regulars may recognise me but I need some wisdom oh mumsnetters.
Have to make a decision pretty quick about where to live as have to put ds name down for school by a year in January.
Currently in small commuter town. We could stay here. Pros - affordable, near to countryside, not too far from London, good primaries, safe, know it now. Cons - nowt to do, don't feel 'at home' here, southern rail misery, countryside doesn't seem that great to me have to travel quite a way to feel rural, may have to go private for secondary, harder for me to work in London (though this may not be an issue in future though does limit my options)
Moved here as we couldn't afford London at the time and weren't convinced by London schools (though now know different), we knew some people here and thought good access to south - beach, downs etc. Liked idea of being in country. I definitely have a bit of fomo here as just haven't settled and think life goes on elsewhere though it has improved with time and I am trying harder to make like minded friends here.
Narrowed alternatives down to:
SE London probably west Dulwich or nunhead - commute good, schools good, possibility of Charter for secondary, affordable for London - we could get a decent 4 bed house with garden, lots to do for us and kids, more 'us'
Cons - would I miss proper countryside?, don't know anyone here, pollution and crime, bit nervous about bringing up kids in London. Feel a bit torn as I miss London desperately but also love being out in the countryside.
Wimbledon Merton park/DunDonald - pros - know some people, the common (we love running), primaries, commute, nice for kids
Cons - expensive, a bit suburban, doesn't seem to be as many parks as se London say, secondaries a bit iffy may have to go private
Teddington - pros - know some people, great for kids, schools, parks and green space, thames, good for us as runners, love bring near to Richmond park
Cons - suburban (though not sure if I know just have this fear of burbs because of where we are now), expensive, commute not actually that great
Tun Wells - pros - affordable, good secondaries, great for kids, more to do, lovely countryside, know couple people
Cons - commute, not London
Any pearls of wisdom? Don't want to look at any other areas as we have spent last two years doing that! Now need to decide what to do - stay or go and if go, where!?