Battersea/Clapham, Chiswick or Wimbledon to live?

[Oscariana]

Hi All, We’re considering moving back to London after being in the US for 14 yrs. We last lived in Wimbledon but were both single then. We now have two young children and hence keen to know peoples thoughts on the following areas- Wimbledon Village is near perfect but may be out of our price range.. We need good state and private schools ( primary) access to green space but also for me some great shops ( boutiques) to browse, restaurants etc. I know Chiswick and Wimbledon FAIRLY well, although like I say not from a family viewpoint. Clapham not as much as I think its changed the most in the last 14 yrs. Would also possibly consider Putney… Thankyou all in advance

I don't have all the answers but regarding this access to green space

I would suggest that it is always preferable to have your own garden than it is to go to the park. Battersea Park will never be as easy, convenient and usable as your own garden would be. I would choose a location where you have private outdoor space to be at the top of my list.

Ok but unless you're seriously minted, London gardens are tiny. Once kids are out of the toddler stage, big green spaces are essential.

OP are commutes not a concern?

I think Clapham is overrated personally

My order of preference would be
Wimbledon Village
Chiswick
Putney
Clapham
But hey that's just me!

Actually they are all great areas truthfully. As with everything it will no doubt come down to budget for what you want house wise.

Also potentially where you may need to commute to as well.

Budget and commute needs are needed to help! Also do you need to get out of London to family? Do you prefer urban or more suburban? Do you want to walk to a tube or cycle to town?

Agree about needing a garden as well as access to open space.

Also look along the corridor of stuff near Richmond Park, the river and Bushy Park. I.e. Barnes, East Sheen, Richmond, Teddington, Hampton, Kingston.

Or accept a longer train commute and go to where the wild things are!

I’d go for the Wandsworth common side of the between the commons area.
If you’ve got a good budget, blenkarne/some of the houses on gorst road and the toast rack on the other side of the common will have decent gardens.
You are looking at £3-4mill for a house on those roads mind

Budget around 2 mil.
Agreed on the commute. Thinking about it proximity to the tube important as my partner and I would both need to commute into central London at times ( not daily).

Barnes - dont love the commute ~ BR only, then the bridge is out. Kingston etc too far out for us- we are urbanites Also family live SW and W London, friends all over in truth.

We would have our own garden. I lived in London for 14 yrs so aware of garden suze and prices etc. Your point is a valud one though.

Anyone have thoughts about schools in these areas? Specifically Wimbledon/The Village and Chiswick? Public and state. Are they oversubscribed? I can create another post if better to do so. Thanks all!

Chiswick

As you know Wimbledon has both Rail and tube to get into town but Merton council tax is MUCH higher than Wandsworth (for Putney also with tube and Rail) or Clapham (Rail) and Balham whether the Heaver Estate might suit (tube and Rail).

I'm in Putney and we have not only the Common but also Putney Heath and Wandsworth Park by the river as well as great proximity to Richmond Park.

Would also recommend East Sheen/Barnes - next to Richmond Park, Sheen Common Woods & the Thames, fantastic state & private schools. Good transport links to Waterloo from Mortlake. Great selection of shops/restaurants and also very close to Richmond, Barnes, Putney. Not far from Wimbledon, Chiswick, Ham, Kingston etc too. All the kids' sports you could wish for and everything walkable. Easy to get out of town when you wish too.

Personally I would prefer Clapham from all you have listed

Dont love Hammersmith in truth. Not quite the vibe Im looking for.

Chiswick has better access to the big W London private schools (especially for girls), but compared to Wimbledon (Town) the transport is limited - one tube line compared to two tube lines and mainline trains. State primaries good in both, plus prep options. Chiswick definitely better for boutique shops compared to Wimbledon Town, similar to the Village but then you’re a long walk up the hill home from the station.

Titsywoo - would be interested to know your reasons for Clapham? I dont know it well.

Agreed with all of these. That walk up the hill in Wimbledon oomph! Chiswick a bit limited Re transport vs BR &tube of Wimbledon. Good to know state primaries good in both & private in Chiswick.

I've lived in all of those places.
Chiswick or Wimbledon, hands down.
I live near Chiswick House. It is gorgeous. The kids have grown up here. It's great if you're a dog and cycling family (which we are).

Don't rule out Hammersmith! King Street- the main drag for shopping- is much much better than it used to be. It's great for shopping/eating. And Brackenbury village in Hammersmith is a gorgeous area to live in- totally family orientated. It's a brilliant area to raise your children. Lots of little cafes and cozy pubs. It's wonderful (Halloween is brilliant in this area). It's also close to Ravenscourt Park which is beautiful and also, there are an abundance of excellent state and private primary and secondaries around, PLUS transport is excellent. I'd live near Ravenscourt Park in a heartbeat if I left Chiswick. Look into Ravenscourt Park Prep for private primary school. My kids are at the West London Free School primary and secondary. We cycle along the river to get to school every day.

If Wimbledon Village is perfect but outside your price range have you thought about Raynes Park, specifically the Wimbledon Village side of the railway line rather than the Morden side (Raynes Park is cut in two by the railway line, and the two sides feel quite different. The north side is full of people priced out of the village and has much more of a 'Wimbledon Village feel'). You'll be a few minutes drive from Wimbledon Village and the Common, the train line is good, and there's a small high street with a Waitrose and a few nice restaurants. There's really lovely Edwardian housing stock, and even though you're just a few minutes drive from the Village your money will stretch much, much further there. Its also not too far from Richmond Park, probably about 20 minutes; and not too far from the Surrey countryside either- probably about 30 minutes to the Surrey Hills.

Dulwich? No tube but a very good train service. Don't discount the suburban trains in London. Some routes have a tube like frequency.

Dulwich has great schools and a nice village style

Out of interest when you say Wimbledon do you mean the village as prices much higher than Wimbledon town? I will look into Ravenscourt Park. Chiswick is winning for me right now

I used to live just down the road from Dulwich and its not quite right for us tught now. My OH keen for west or sw as a West London boy.,, But lovely suggestion thank you

Oooh I've lived in those places!
Putney - love love but senior school provision is tricky and lots go private by then. Most state primaries good
Lovely being by the river and loads of restros/can get into Fulham quick for more variety. 2 mil will just get you a decent place

I also love Chiswick, but getting to the river over the a4 can be a pita, also I found the district line a complete pita too and the national rail only goes once every 15 mins
Chiswick is so lovely and picturesque though!

Clapham is just not me, too urban

Wimbledon - obviously gorgeous but I am far too lazy to schlep up and down the hill all day, but I love the town for shopping

This sounds lovely but maybe a bit quiet Raynes Park? Will look into it though. thanks.