Life in Kew

[planforeverything]

Hi everyone,

I recently posted about taking on a big mortgage or a renovation project and we are still not much further forward in deciding what we are doing. We are pretty set on the location of Barnes, until, we visited to Kew...

I was wondering if anyone can shed any light on what life is like in Kew. I found it to be such a beautiful area, so green and leafy, houses are also really nice and Kew Green and the gardens seem really pretty. I only spent an hour there but I did wonder, where are the shops, if any? I went a little wander through various streets (iPhone had died so no map!) but I struggled to find many shops. The main thing I love about Barnes is the village and the pond and the independent shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants etc within walking distance. It gives it a real community feel. Is there a ‘village’ or focal point of Kew with shops, cafes etc in Kew and if so where is it?!

We dont have children (yet - who knows if/when) but do like a slightly quieter life. Also don’t mind aircraft noise (lived at the end of a runway for 17 years growing up!)

All the streets looked lovely but if anyone recommends specific roads it’d be great to hear. Want to live on a quieter street within 5-10 min walk of shops and tube/train station.

I read a thread the other day of a lady who took 20 months to find her perfect home in the area she loved - I think that will be me!

Kew is lovely but really only has a few little shops around the station. There is also a small retail park with TK Maxx and M&S off Mortlake Road. For everything else, you’d need to go to Richmond which is not much of a hardship as it’s also lovely! It is different to Barnes though but I love both.

Kew is a really small area. I lived there for 7 years just off Kew Rd and the main attraction for me was being able to visit Kew Gardens whenever I wanted with an annual pass.
There are a few shops by the station but I travelled to London via Richmond (more travel options with both rail and underground) so frequented the shops in Richmond more. There’s a big Sainsbury’s nearby in N. Sheen but I used to shop at Waitrose and Whole foods in Richmond. I left the area when we started a family to afford more space.