Help! Expat from NY moving to London with 2 kids. Where should I live?!!

[nicoolie]

Hi! I currently live in Brooklyn, NY and will be moving to London in July. I'll be working in Canary Wharf. I'm lost and looking for help on where is a good place to live! I'll be here for 2 years. I have 2 boys age 8 & 11. The reason for the move is to be able to travel around Europe with my kids. Not sure if what I'm looking for is reasonable but here goes: Budget $2,500 (could go up a bit if needed), great schools, close to a park, close to shopping, not crazy far from airport, not a terribly long ride to central London, 30 min commute max, close to train/bus. I've found some areas that reviews have said are good but I have no idea on schools even though I checked on right move. Greenwich, Hither Green, Lewisham, Maida Vale, St john's Wood. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

But the OP can’t apply until she lives here and has an address and will have to go on waiting lists.

Yes - but when she comes to apply will need to be in catchment

Look at the gabbitas guide for private schools which would take.your d's special.needs
It is true that state more geared up to sen
Primary schools across London are pretty good. For secondary you need to research

I would have a look at Balham (SW12 postcode). It's on the Northern Line, so easy to get into The City (original financial district) and Canary Wharf (more modern financial district).

You won't have any problems getting a 2 bedroom flat for your budget - you might even be able to get a 3 bedroom flat. Some won't have gardens, but those that do will probably have small 'London, postage-stamp' gardens. But, there are three Commons (large parks) within walking distance : Clapham Common to the North East of Clapham South tube station, Wandsworth Common to the North West of Balham town centre and Tooting Bec Common to the South of Balham (Tooting Bec Common also has an outdoor Lido - great in the hot Summer months!).

You could also look at some roads in SW17 (between Balham station and Tooting Bec Station (but I wouldn't head any further west, if only because of your walk to the tube) or look at roads in SW11 (but only on the south side of Broomwood Road running towards Nightingale Lane, again because of the walk to a tube station). I think a 10 minute walk to a station is great, 15 minutes OK and 20 minutes would, probably, be the maximum edge of your walk.

So, you have the choice of three Northern Line stations - Tooting Bec, then Balham then Clapham South.

It is a very family friendly area and many people have moved to the area because they work in The City/Canary Wharf. Many families are international. There are loads of schools - private (fee-paying) and state (non-fee paying). Unfortunately I can't help with recommendations, but perhaps a 'local' might give you some pointers.

There is an area known locally as The Nightingale Triangle. Have a look there (see one of the maps, it's roughly between Clapham South, Wandsworth Common and Balham stations). Or just to the south of Wandsworth Common, between Bellevue Road and crossing over Balham High Road (into a lovely area called The Heaver Estate).

The majority of the architecture is Victorian - and some Edwardian - so rather attractive! (and don't be put off by the name 'Heaver Estate'; it's not a modern, awful housing estate, but was built by the Heaver brothers in the 1800s and is well-known for it's excellent Victorian architecture!)

If you do consider this area, there's a good local forum called Nappy Valley Net nappyvalleynet.com, which is a bit like MN - but just local to the area.

Hi OP. If you’re on Facebook, you may be interested to join the America Women in the UK page.

Purple: sorry, what I am trying to say is that by the time she arrives ‘catchment’ will mean ‘top of the waiting list’ which will mean right on tne doorstep of the school!

OP, Balham is a good suggestion, and you could find somewhere right next to Chestnut Grove school. Plus many Wandsworth schools are very good. You can put yourself on as many waiting lists as you like.

Primary: much less important. It’s placing yourself for a secondary place that you need.

I would second the Greenwich recommendation. Leafy, beautiful, World Heritage site, as safe as London gets, v easy commute/cycle to Canary Wharf or central London. Maze Hill/Westcombe Park has family friendly houses. Local state secondaries are John Roan and Thomas Tallis. Local Private schools from 11+ are Colfe's and Eltham College but other private schools run buses from Greenwich/Westcombe Park such as Dulwich College, Alleyns and Farringtons. Primary schools are mostly excellent in the area.

I would look at West Hampstead, possibly Kilburn, Queen’s Park, Willesden. If you have a faith then there are excellent faith state schools (catholic, Church of England, Jewish) which tend to have good results. Nw London has some v good state secondaries and the jubilee line goes into Canary Wharf in about 20 minutes

Thanks everyone . I greatly appreciate the advice ! I'm off to research!

OP, there’s recently been a great discussion similar to your needs on the expat fb page called Two Fat Expats. Another great resource for you.

Don't fancy your luck in central on that budget. And it's a bun fight here to get a place in a good public school. I fear you are being rather naive OP

Rule out Maida Vale and St. John’s woods
Your budget wouldn’t stretch to a grotty studio

Wanstead - good state and private schools 15 minutes to Stratford 40 minutes to stansted airport village feel

Or Greenwich