Where to move to in or near London

[Pinkandwhite]

We have been living in America for the past 7 years but are finally returning to the UK. After so many years away and now with two children (1 year and 5 years) I can't work out where to look at living. DH will be working in London. I used to live in Streatham and really liked it when I was a young professional but have never lived in London with children. I'm now used to being surrounded by beautiful countryside so don't know how I'd find London life. Also I'm worried about making friends because I have such lovely friends here. Does anyone have any recommendations for a friendly area that is good for young children but also (thinking of the longer term) teenagers? Thanks

Would also recommend East Dulwich, tons of green space and very family orientated. We love it

Sounds like your existing house would be a good starting point - live there for a bit and then spend time exploring areas to be sure where you would like to live.

Of you want to be near countryside, look at Epsom, which is best of both worlds.

It is 38 minutes to Waterloo/London Bridge so you can go one stop on the tube or walk to Bank.

It is very close to glorious countryside. I can be in the middle of nowhere within a 15 minute walk, similarly can be in the gym or Waitrose in the town centre in 10 minutes.

It is excellent for getting to Gatwick (we call it Epsom Airport!)

Look at the College Area, best for schools and nearer to countryside. You can get a big house with a garden for a million.

Herne Hill is gorgeous though

If I could live anywhere it would be Wimbledon Village, but I doubt you could get much for a million there!

Streatham is stuffed with excellent primary schools, (Hitherfield, Dunraven, Streatham Wells and more) and Dunraven is an excellent secondary.

It is a good area to have children. There is the huge and active Streatham Mums Network, the high rd is much better than you will remember, etc.

W Norwood is also good if you get in the catchment for Julian’s and Dunraven (if that is possible). It now has a lovely cinema and the Feast once a month (markets and street fair).

Only part of Herne Hill is in catchment for Charter these days and it can be tricky for primary.

I am beginning to wonder whether my existing house would be a good place to start. In an ideal world I would love to move to one area and then make friends/settle in and make it home for a long time. That may not be realistic though.

Hotpotlawyer, thanks for that information. That's really helpful.

Movinghouseatlast, thanks for mentioning Epsom. I'll take a look.

Pinkandwhite I think your kids as at a good age to make friends wherever you are as they will be starting primary & nursery.
Most London areas are very easy to make friends in, anecdotal evidence from friends who have moved out found it a bit harder.
Consider what kind of lifestyle you want. Are you happy to be driving your children to school and play dates or do you want to be somewhere they can walk to their friends houses? Countryside versus convenience.

I think your current place sounds like a good idea while you find your feet. Someone mentioned Wanstead, also Walthamstow for a different vibe, either way a mill would get you something decent. Walthamstow has a 20 minute train to Liverpool Street & great primaries, reasonable secondaries.

But to be honest, if you're south you're unlikely to move North. It just becomes too much of a pain to look in too many different areas.

Blackheath/Greenwich area is definitely worth looking at, easy journey to Bank.

I'd be cautious about the further out places on the Kent train lines as when they have problems (which is often these days!), there's either no train at all or very long delays. At least from Blackheath you can get a bus to Lewisham and use the DRL instead very easily.

My brother has just moved to Ham, Richmond and loves it. Look at the street map. Peace and quiet and greenery all around (Richmond Park on doorstep and the river). Tube/overground and train from Richmond to Victoria very quickly but he often cycles and it takes him 25 minutes through the park

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-79482020.html

We just returned after 18 years and are looking at E. Dulwich- we have an 11 and 13 year old and there are lots of young families there. Good luck! It's odd having two homes and feeling equally foreign in both!

Folkestone is sweet and great with small children but honestly not a place I'd settle down with teenagers, especially not if they end up being into activities.

I'd look at Balham/ Clapham, possibly Dulwich. We have both a teenager and a younger child and we're in the middle of Clapham and SO happy here. The kids go to school in Chelsea but eldest will go to school in West Dulwich in the fall, and DH works in Green Park - all super smooth commutes. Bank would be very easy from here.

Lots of kids around, a very relaxed atmosphere, super easy to make friends, and always easy for our teenager to get home, whatever he's been doing.

All of these comments are so helpful. Thank you

If you want countryside, you could do worse than somewhere like Bishop's Stortford or surrounding villages (East Herts/Essex). Fast trains are about 40 mins to Liverpool Street, easy access to Stansted Airport and M11/M25 (and Cambridge) and you'd get a lovely house for that budget. Also good schools. You could also look further down this line towards London, places like Broxbourne, though don't know what schools are like there.

Also worth considering are the further reaches of the Central line, out east - Wanstead is a good shout and maybe places like Epping or other spots out that way.

Chingford (NE London/Essex) is another option for easy access into and out of London, and green space (Epping Forest) but not sure about schools.

South Woodford, Woodford and Loughton, all on the Central Line and 1million will buy something nice.

What's the situation re tenants in your existing house?

I'd start there if I was you as it's much easier to look from relatively locally plus it's hard to predict the immediate future and the possible impact on housing market, but you could conceivably overpay if you buy now.