Family areas in London with short commute

[pyjamastoday]

DH and I are really struggling to find somewhere to move to in London. We have 1 DC and another on the way. Would be looking to move next year or so before DC 1 would need to start school. We currently live in Canning Town but we don't like it as it's really polluted, loud, lots of late night incidents, and there's very little green space. Schools aren't great either. Transport us excellent though so it was a good place to live while we were child-free and working. Not so much now we have DC or during lockdown!

Stumbling block is that DH needs to be within 45 mins max of the City as he works very late. We are prioritising green spaces and schools.

We looked at East Dulwich after seeing it recommended on here and whilst it was nice enough it felt a bit too 'trendy' for us, and also the walk to the park was about 30 minutes which is too far to just pop to the swings before lunch or something.

Every time I look at a nice area I see that secondary schools are an issue and so I go back to the drawing board. Not sure if we should forget about secondaries for now as DC is still young or will we come to regret that?

Anyway, if anyone can recommend a great family area with the short commute that would be great. Our budget might go up depending on DH's job but if we moved today we'd be looking at around 750, ideally for 3 beds.

Hanwell is a no brainer. Probably an hour commute currently but once cross rail opens it will be great. Get in while you can still afford it.

Hello pyjamastoday
West Norwood, Nunhead, Forest Hill, Honor Oak, Brockley, Penge, Herne Hill and West Dulwich are all near me and lovely. Lots of good schools in each area too.
I have lived in East Dulwich for about 20 years and love it. I'm puzzled as to where you went that took 30 mins to get to the park from. I'm right in the middle between Peckham Rye Common/ Park and Dulwich Park and it only takes about 5-10mins to walk to both those parks. Both are lovely with good playgrounds and cafes etc.
I'd love to try and convince you that it isn't trendy either because I've never seen it like that. Peckham is very trendy though and it right next door!
This thread is great because there are so many areas being recommended. I'll be moving soon too so I'm reading it with interest.
Good luck - I hope you settle on somewhere soon.

Thanks for all these suggestions, have read them all, so interesting.

@superram what are schools like in Hanwell? Also I read on here that Hanwell high road isn't all that well stocked with shops or restaurants etc?

New Malden. Lots of outstanding schools and grammars. There’s a bus to Heathrow that takes 30 minutes. The train is 22 mins to Waterloo. Very family friendly. We love it.

@muffinffaces and other pp re getting a flat... yes that's totally the dilemma. I've definitely thought about that a lot. BUT, my mat leave and subsequent bringing up toddler have been shit in my area and the value of somewhere like @SW1amp describes between the commons (with tonnes of stuff on your doorstep) is massive for us. What I don't want is to go all out for a house vs flat, but then find myself living in an area that feels like a real compromise, eg not near things or with a bad commute etc.

Bromley is very nice in parts and has excellent transport links to central London. I commuted for years with no problem (except when there was trouble on the line, weather, etc, but that affected everyone).

[quote pyjamastoday]**@muffinffaces* and other pp re getting a flat... yes that's totally the dilemma. I've definitely thought about that a lot. BUT, my mat leave and subsequent bringing up toddler have been shit in my area and the value of somewhere like @SW1amp* describes between the commons (with tonnes of stuff on your doorstep) is massive for us. What I don't want is to go all out for a house vs flat, but then find myself living in an area that feels like a real compromise, eg not near things or with a bad commute etc. [/quote]
But so many areas mentioned on this thread where you could afford a nice house are really nice with loads of stuff to do for families! Maybe it's just the area where you are right now that doesn't give you what you need, but that doesn't mean that the only alternative is the area between the commons?

It's difficult because it's great to have the handy toddler lifestyle but it does go so fast. Thing is if you buy a flat but then move again for a house you need to make connections in that new area anyway.

I think anywhere with decent primaries, green space & a high street of sorts will give you what you want as lots of people be similar.

Greenwich, Ealing, Wimbledon, not London

East/West Molesey, Walton on Thames, Hersham. Inside M25. Very family friendly and safe. 25 mins to Waterloo.

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110126150

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/111596711

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/107983277

Ealing? Loads of green space, should get a 3 bed for 750, easy for Heathrow, might be at your limit for the city depending which tube you're near. The schools are generally very good, but catchments are tight especially for the decent secondaries.

Agree with looking at the western Crossrail stations esp Hanwell or Ealing Broadway which both have lots of parks, lots of families and good schools. Go 5 or 10 mins walk from the stations themselves and you get lovely period houses.

When Crossrail opens in the first half of next year it'll take 18 mins to Liverpool St, 25 mins to Canary Wharf and 14 mins to Heathrow from Eal Broadway.

Or this Parbury Road
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108273401
Super easy commute to CW, totally family friendly area with decent schools. Horniman museum a short bus ride away and plenty of parks close by. High street with amenities and cafes a few minutes walk.

I would also recommend Colliers Wood - it’s a nice family area and you can get a 3 bedroom house for your budget. There are lots of parks and some independent cafes and restaurants as well as easy walk to Tooting. We have two at secondary school in the area and happy with the secondary options. Primaries are very good, and the area has a community feel to it.

What secondaries are in Colliers Wood?

If you’re only needing to go into the city and Heathrow occasionally, I would say to look at east herts and Essex. Really good schools and places like Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Shenfield, etc are often quicker to the city (20mins train direct to Liverpool St). I wouldn’t do south if you’re used to east, transport is a nightmare and the areas in your budget aren’t all that nice.

Highams Park; overground train every 15 mins to Liv St, 30 mins drive to Stansted for travel, local schools all good.

Beckenham has fantastic transport links, 20 mins to Victoria or half an hour to London Bridge plus the tramline. Loads of parks, excellent schools and easy to get out of town to the countryside if you fancy a bit more rural.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87680983?utmcampaign=property-details&utmmcontent=buying&utmmedium=sharing&utmmsource=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

This looks nice!

@muffinffaces

For 850k you could get a nice flat with garden in some areas of the mentioned

I feel so sorry for Londoners 🙈 It doesn't help anyone if housing is expensive. You might have a million pound house but it's not like you can sell it and take the money...you still have to live somewhere.

@RiverSkater

[[https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87680983?utm]]campaign=property-details&utmmcontent=buying&utmmedium=sharing&utmmsource=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

This looks nice!

Why's it been on since December in a hot market?🤔