Where to rent in London?

[AusFar]

My partner is currently negotiating a job in London with a base-rate salary of GBP140,000. I'm looking at what life would be like on that salary and would love some help working out where we could live on that salary!

We need a) good state schools for our little ones (a five year old girl and three year old boy) b) preferably three or four bedrooms, but could manage with two c) close to a tube station. We're not religious.

We have friends and family in the Primrose Hill and Hampstead regions. Ideally I'd like to live in Hampstead but it seems unlikely on our budget. Where else should we look?

About us: we are Australians, currently living in Glebe, Sydney. We're very progressive and left-wing. We work in academia/media. (I have a right to work but will likely take some time off, and then look at part-time work, so we're not factoring any income from me into our budgets yet).

Any advice would be really appreciated!

In my opinion SW /W London is generally more conservative / traditional than other parts (I grew up there & mist family & school friends would probably vote Tory) so I think you'll fit in best in N/NE.
SE London is trendy, artsy, liberal & probably the cheapest to rent. Look at Brockley, Crofton Park, Forest Hill & Ladywell. Crystal Palace is very nice too but may be a bit far out & you have a good budget to live more central.
FWIW my husband recently did a cost of living vs state school quality optimisation exercise & concluded that Streatham would be the best place for us to move to, though we earn a fair bit less than you.

Disclaimer: hope it's obvs that the above makes some sweeping generalisations, but is hopefully a useful guide.

Muswell Hill schools
Rhodes Avenue, need to live on the doorstep though
Tetherdown
Coldfall

I have no probs with religious schools and would be happy for my kids to go - but wouldn’t it be hard for us to get in?

Omg that house is gorgeous. Thanks!

Thanks for your v thoughtful reply!

I have no probs with religious schools and would be happy for my kids to go - but wouldn’t it be hard for us to get in?

The bigger problem, as a pp mentioned, is that you'll be applying after the school has already allocated places. Children in England are required to be at school at the start of the term following their 5th birthday. Nearly all children start in Reception, so basically they start when they're four. Once your elder child has a place that will make it easier for your younger one to get a place at the same school.
Vacancies do occur but can't be guaranteed.

The local council's website info on schools (download the pdfs) will tell you what the cut off distance from the school was in previous years. With religious schools some will give places to children who are not churchgoers - if there are any available after churchgoing children have been accommodated - and will use distance as a criteria.

The outstanding state schools are heavily oversubscribed. For example an outstanding primary school near us has 30 places. In 2017 it received 248 applications. The furthest child offered a place lived 0.148 miles from the school. In 2016 it was 0.065 miles. Having said all that schools rated good can be a better fit for your particular child.

It might be best to try and narrow your areas down and start with the schools. Obviously houses are more expensive next to great schools.

What area of London will he be working in? That'd be the key determiner of best location to live.

Muswell hill is great, I have lived there but it has no tube and schools are patchy. Kentish town, beside parliament hill and with some good schools might be better? Barnet is less trendy but has good schools.

I posted and then thought none of that stuff about distance matters that much as you'll be reliant on vacancies coming up .

It depends so much on what your budget actually is. You might get something in Belize Park or Gospel Oak.

If your DH is negotiating with s large organisation does it have short term accommodation available? Could it be factored in so that you can have a look around and get a feel for the different areas and schools?