Teddington/Richmond/Barnes - which would you choose

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We currently live in Zone 2. The plan was always to move out of London and get a flat for DH during the week but we’ve decided we don’t want to split the family so are staying. But we need somewhere much greener and with good independent schools. Budget is good as we won’t now need to buy a flat. I like Richmond and Barnes but don’t know them well. Also like the sound of Teddington and Thames Ditton. Have discounted Kew because of the planes- are planes a significant issue in these areas too? Would be grateful for any views. Thanks.

Richmond. I used to work in Teddibgton and it was a bit of a backwater back then though I know it's very desirable now. Barnes seems very sedate. Richmond has a more vibrant scene, always loved the vibe, would buy there if I could afford it!

Richmond has the best transport links.

8 trains to Waterloo an hour. The fast one takes less that 20 minutes. Also the district line and London overground.

Barnes and Teddington only have the stopping train going through it.

Richmond is much more vibrant too.

Richmond still has quite loud planes but is better for transport than Barnes- it’s on district line and overground. I don’t know Thames Ditton or Teddington. Of your list I’d like Richmond best.

Have you considered Hammersmith and Chiswick on the north side of the river? Less issue with plane noise, good schools, good transport and Chiswick has many lovely greens/parks.

Yes Chiswick could work too although I don’t know it at all. It seems like it might be more urban than the areas I mentioned but maybe it’s not.

Chiswick is relatively similar to Richmond- Richmond has better shopping though and the shopping area is right on the Thames, unlike Chiswick which is a bit more spread out. The high road is probably a good 20 minute walk to Thames but has loads of cafes/restaurants. Still quite a family orientated area and I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as urban, still surburbsy. Worth a day trip to each area to scope it out!

Which independent schools are you considering? That would influence my search areas as transport links can be tricky if you get it wrong. South circular in Richmond along to Putney is a complete nightmare if you’re doing the school run.

I live in that part of the world (in a not so nice bit!) and I think they're genuinely all lovely areas. There will be some plane noise but you honestly get used to it immediately. As a PP said, get out and explore all of them and get a feel for the place. I've always said if money were no object I would live in Barnes, it's so pretty, but traffic can be a nightmare so it depends on what's important to you. Good luck!

Thanks holly - that’s reassuring. We’re not in a rush so will definitely spend time getting to know these areas.
A big factor in the the choice will be community feel and also feeling significantly greener than where we are now. I want the feel of a small town but in London! Do any of these places tick those boxes above the others?

Anytime I’m in Richmond, I always wonder why houses are so expensive given the constant plane noise. I would give it a wide berth. At the moment the noise won’t be truly representative due to fewer planes in sky so take this into account. I would try local Facebook groups for a better view of these areas.

That’s what I’m concerned about Vroomed, and so true that whatever noise there is no won’t be give an accurate idea of how much there usually is.
feralcat sorry I missed your question. We don’t have any particular schools in mind at this stage. I’d prefer all girls but don’t mind if the best /closest school is mixed.

A big factor in the the choice will be community feel and also feeling significantly greener than where we are now. I want the feel of a small town but in London! Do any of these places tick those boxes above the others?

Ham just down the road from Richmond

Out of the three I would choose Teddington. But if I was to move back to London I'd choose Isleworth or Whitton.

Although plane noise never bothered me in Richmond/ Kew.

They aren't that low flying

Richmond every time

Have to say never noticed the plane noise in Richmond - not at as bad as Kew!
It’s also very green, with the well named Richmond Park! But it also has a pretty green and then there’s the river too. Yep still Richmond hands down.

So many different opinions! I’ll add Ham to the list. Looks like we’ll be spending the summer holidays exploring south west London!

Where is he working? If city or Canary Wharf they're really far out

Consider Blackheath (so green, so beautiful, fab independent schools, Greenwich park)

It's so amazing here

Richmond is best for commuting into London. I lived there for 8 years. You get used to plane noise quickly but I didn’t like the town very much. I prefer Teddington as there are enough shops for the high street to be useful. Thames Dutton is like a little village, much more cut off than the other places mentioned. For shopping I used to travel to Kingston instead of shopping in Richmond. All those areas are easy access to green spaces. Obviously Richmond Park and Bushy Park but many other places too. Can’t help with schools sorry!

You might like East Sheen or Kew. The plane noise is annoying but if you have been living in the city then it shouldnt bother you as much. Ham and Teddington is too further out for our liking. Barnes is great too.

Yes Laurie - commuting to the city/Liverpool street. I know it’s not great but hope it’s better than commuting in from outside London. Ham looks perfect but really don’t know how the commute would work.
I like Blackheath and Dulwich but they feel like small green spaces surrounded by city which won’t work for me.
I feel so stuck. DH can’t / won’t change his job so our choices are:

1. Move out properly and get a flat for DH during the week - still an option but expensive andnot ideal splitting the family for the next 20+ years.
2. Move out of London to somewhere with a short commute - we have looked for years to find the right place and have not found anywhere we like.
3. Move to a green part of London - I think this is where we’ll end up, but need to find the right place!

Richmond is lovely.

I adore Barnes. They are all nice, but Richmond is bigger and busier. Barnes has so much green space on the doorstep in all directions and a nice community feel, it would certainly be my pick. It doesn't have as many trains as Richmond, but it has plenty!

What about Beckenham? Beautiful houses there and trains into the city.

I only know Richmond but I love it and wish I could afford to live there!

Richmond is lovely but the high street is really busy with through traffic. It is much easier to amble through Teddington. The commuting is easier from Richmond though.

Kew does have a lot of planes going over but you do get used to it. Kew has a really nice village feel although it may be too villagey as there are at least three lots of shops and no real centre to it.

They are all really expensive. I was out with an old time Kew resident recently who was gobsmacked at the prices as we pottered around the area.