Where in London?

[Idontknowlondon]

DH has been asked by his company to set up an IT team in London (Shepherds Bush) in the spring. I've also just secured a project manager post in Hammersmith. We currently live in greater Manchester with our 2 kids, 3&5.

We plan to live in London for around 5 years. We've never lived in London or been for more than a long weekend. My 2 biggest concerns are commute and schools. Is Shepherds Bush a nice place for families? How are in schools there (primary/ prep).

During the pandemic we've both been working from home and have loved the increased time at home due to lack of commute do we're prepared to pay to live closer to work to keep this lifestyle. Initially my job will be from home, but it's been made clear I'll be expected in my office 3 of the 4 days I'll be working. DH will need to be physically present most days.

Ideally we want 4 beds (or 3 and an office for 2 desks) and some outdoor space, but that could be a park across the road. Currently in a house, and we've never lived in a flat but would be happy to as I imagine lots of families live very well in flats!

Other suggestions welcome. A door to door commute of under half an hour is preferable.

You need to tell us your budget. Within 30 mins commute there’s practically every type of housing (apart from reasonably priced).

Lots of good schools and lovely parks/green spaces.

An idea if your budget is essential. Good luck

Ah yes, that'd help!

£1.5m could stretch a little for the perfect property, but not much.

I’d look at Ealing Broadway. Direct tubes to Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush in around 15 mins. Excellent state schools. Excellent private schools if you prefer. Some big Victorian houses with gardens. Nice parks.

Thanks. These are areas I've never even heard of . Glad I asked.

Are schools in the area over subscribed, they are where we are - huge class sizes and 3 form entry. Currently in private but just because I don't think 34 in an infant class with a part time PA is good for anyone.

If you go west towards Ealing you can commute on the Piccadilly/central line so would each have quick journeys. Good to get out to the M25/north circular and can catch the Piccadilly line to get to Kings Cross/Euston. You’d also be able to cycle to work fairly easily.

Ealing, Pitshanger Lane, Northfields or around Poet’s Corner in Acton. Pitshanger is lovely, very villagey. You won’t get much in Brook Green (2 bed flats are about £1.2m!) it’s possible to buy in the nicer bits of Shepherds Bush (south of the Uxbridge Road) for £1.5m.

Where abouts will your DH be in Shepherds Bush? The office areas have traditionally been on the Brook Green/Hammersmith end but there’s also offices now around White City. They’re slightly different commutes (Central vs Piccadilly).

Good schools used to be oversubscribed but pupil numbers have dropped since Covid.

Brook Green is lovely but I fear out of budget, ditto Ravenscourt Park / Stamford Brook / Turnham Green - if you can get the fringes of those areas, you’re golden for schools and commute. Ealing / Acton far more budget friendly and excellent transport

I would start off looking in Hammersmith, or you could cross over the river to Barnes, Southfields or some parts of Wimbledon for that budget.

You should have good options. I'd just do a Rightmove search a few miles around hammersmith. You should have options in Hammersmith area itself, Fulham, Chiswick, Barnes, Putney or can get more for your money out in Ealing.

Loads of great state primary options in this area as well as tonnes of prep schools depending on what type and nature of school you are looking for.

@Porridgeislife

Ealing, Pitshanger Lane, Northfields or around Poet’s Corner in Acton. Pitshanger is lovely, very villagey. You won’t get much in Brook Green (2 bed flats are about £1.2m!) it’s possible to buy in the nicer bits of Shepherds Bush (south of the Uxbridge Road) for £1.5m.

Where abouts will your DH be in Shepherds Bush? The office areas have traditionally been on the Brook Green/Hammersmith end but there’s also offices now around White City. They’re slightly different commutes (Central vs Piccadilly).

Good schools used to be oversubscribed but pupil numbers have dropped since Covid.

That's yet to be worked out. He has appointments this month to look at offices in both areas, but it's definitely going to be SB!

We can sell our current house if we need to which will up our budget but we'd ideally like to keep hold of it.

My sister lives in Kensal Rise and it's lovely. She's about 10 minutes walk from it and it's got some lovely cafes and independent shops and is a short walk from Queens Park which is gorgeous.

My daughter lives in Ealing. As a one female She finds it a nicer, safer area than Shepherd's Bush.

I wouldn’t move south of the river to Barnes etc while Hammersmith bridge is out of action.

Yes I’d have definitely said Barnes/Mortlake/East Sheen before they closed Hammersmith Bridge - you can walk/cycle across it still (though that stopped for a while too and may again).
North Barnes in particular would be very handy for someone working in Hammersmith - potentially could walk to work.
All very family friendly areas, great primary schools and loads of green space.

North of Hammersmith Bridge, Chiswick is lovely but expensive. I’d agree with posters who suggest Ealing - also great schools, lots of green space etc but you’d get more house for your money.

I’d say Chiswick, mortgage or Barnes
Although I don’t know how much and what you drive but the ULEZ zone would be something to consider

@lastqueenofscotland

I’d say Chiswick, mortgage or Barnes Although I don’t know how much and what you drive but the ULEZ zone would be something to consider

I need to look in to this. We have an old Zafira which we intend to keep but wouldn't drive every day.

Having lived in a flat with my then-toddler right on a park, I'd say to prioritise a garden (even if a flat with a garden).

We thought we'd be in the park every day but it just didn't work out like that - although we used it a lot, it was no substitute for being able to simply open the backdoor and let the DC play in the garden.

When we moved from there, we didn't look at anywhere without a garden.

Ealing. Very family friendly and easy commute for both of you

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90109303#/?channel=RES_BUY

Excellent space and a lovely area, and you'd still have money left over to decorate. Plus crossrail should open soon

1.5m would get you a beaut house in Southfields grid - very easy (mostly above ground) commute to Hammersmith.
If you only plan to stay for 5 years you may be better to rent your place in Manchester and rent in London though? Are your companies offering relocation fees. The fees/ stamp duty etc will be substantial on that price of property and it may be hard to recoup it in only 5years. Think the market will likely rise quicker in Manchester than London over the next 5yrs

For 1.5m I would stay north of the river.
If you don't mind a 30 min commute I would go for Richmond
Otherwise Ealing is very safe bet, leafy with good schools

Richmond to Shepherds Bush is a bus commute - so can be quite slow, and at the moment the closure of Hammersmith Bridge makes it worse. I've worked in SB/Brook Green for years and commuted from just beyond Richmond (Teddington) but I agree with people who've suggested Ealing or the nicer bits of Acton. I think you're priced out of Chiswick, but 'Acton Borders' might fit.

Actually, I take that back:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113288822#/?channel=RES_BUY

If you're not priced out of Chiswick, that's a lovely place to live with children.