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.

Look around north Ealing, south Ealing, west Acton, Pitshanger, Chiswick. They are much nicer than west Ealing in my opinion.

No advice OP but I'm insanely jealous, my dream is to live off Uxbridge Road (Shepherds Bush), there are beautiful houses there and such a fab mix of shops.

I’ve messaged you

Of those, I’d only consider the third one. The first two are in no man’s land with nothing really around them.

The first one is in a better location. Montpelier/Brentham Garden Suburb/Pitshanger (in that order) are amongst the most desirable areas of Ealing. West Ealing isn’t great but at least you’re on the right side of Argyle Road.

For £1.5m I think you could get closer to the nicer areas if you held out a bit longer, there’s not much nice on the market anywhere given the time of year.

Wouldn't it make more sense to rent as it's for 5 years?

Just saw your update that you may stay I would still rent initially to see if you like area/London

I think Fulham would be a good shout.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115113665

I'm reluctant to sell the Manchester house because I suspect property prices in Manchester will skyrocket in the next few years and we'll struggle to move back to the same area. We've got a friend returning from overseas for a few years in the summer who would rent it off us.

I think your right tbh. London prices have stagnated in many parts hence why my advice would be to rent as who knows what things will look like in 5 yrs. Stamp duty on a 1.5m 2nd home would be a fair old whack.

I read your message and thought Ealing.

A really good friend is there (Montpelier) they picked it for the schools and villagey feel.
It’s not as chichi as Chiswick but property is much more affordable. I’m often tempted when I go to visit to move out fir more space (currently in small zone 1 flat).

South of the river is a pain in the arsey albeit leafy.

I have lived in Shepherd’s Bush for twenty years, and been idling on Mumsnet since 2015, and never seen anything complimentary written about the area, and suddenly there are TWO threads singing its praises. It’s resisted gentrification for as long as I’ve been here, but there’s still hope I guess.

I agree you need to rent first. If you’re bringing that kind of budget with you, your current home is probably in Bowdon or Lymm? A terraced house in W12 is going to be a shock!

@Dorf I seem to be the one singing the praises of Shepherd's Bush 😂. Is it nice to live in?

The first two are in an area that lacks any identity of its own really - no local parade of nice cafes, a good local pub, decent shops etc

Depends if that is important to you - it would make it a much more suburban experience than a London one I think.

Also hemmed in by the north circular road, you'd be on it every time you left the house in a car which is not appealing.

My major piece of advice is do not buy somewhere and then put your kids in a school you have to drive to (unlikely in a state school given catchment areas so more applicable if you go private)
The traffic is miserable at school run time. Don't do it to yourself.

@jeepersdeepers

I'm reluctant to sell the Manchester house because I suspect property prices in Manchester will skyrocket in the next few years and we'll struggle to move back to the same area. We've got a friend returning from overseas for a few years in the summer who would rent it off us.

I think your right tbh. London prices have stagnated in many parts hence why my advice would be to rent as who knows what things will look like in 5 yrs. Stamp duty on a 1.5m 2nd home would be a fair old whack.

My worry with renting is 3 fold 1. Cats, 2. Disrupting the kids twice in a short space of time (including possibly schools) and 3. I suspect I'll feel uncommitted to the whole experience.

But it may be the answer.

I do also worry we'll end up renting something better than we could afford to buy!

@MojoMoon

The first two are in an area that lacks any identity of its own really - no local parade of nice cafes, a good local pub, decent shops etc

Depends if that is important to you - it would make it a much more suburban experience than a London one I think.

Also hemmed in by the north circular road, you'd be on it every time you left the house in a car which is not appealing.

My major piece of advice is do not buy somewhere and then put your kids in a school you have to drive to (unlikely in a state school given catchment areas so more applicable if you go private)
The traffic is miserable at school run time. Don't do it to yourself.

No, ideally it'll be a walk or cycle to school.

And yes, shops, cafes etc of major importance to us, so I'll discount those. Thanks.

I still think renting makes sense plus you may need to be in a specific catchment for certain schools but ideally not live on those exact roads if that makes sense.

Kew Gardens? Expensive but you'd definitely get a decent 3-4 bed flat for your money, probably with outside space. Easy tube trip to Hammersmith/Shepherds Bush.

Brook green is lovely. I also like Brackenbury Village. Askew road is on the up. Chiswick is fab but not sure what £1.5 would get you.

Ealing has nice bits. Ealing Broadway down to South Ealing tube has some beautiful houses. Around Ealing Abbey also has stunning houses but far from tube.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113931764#/?channel=RES_BUY

Prime road in Northfields. Close to tube and nice high street. Great primary schools - fielding being best.

Northfields is nice. I know Dd viewed houses in that area but they fell through for her (renting)

Off askew road. So handy for Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116862455#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/56394030/

Southfields SW18. Easy commute. Lovely family area. Good schools. Within budget and lots of green spaces with easy access to Surrey countryside.

Also not affected by Heathrow flight path like some other areas mentioned.

@Gocatgo

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113931764#/?channel=RES_BUY

Prime road in Northfields. Close to tube and nice high street. Great primary schools - fielding being best.

I saw that. It's the type of thing we'd usually go for - lack of photos and layout suggest it's a renovation project, which I want to avoid - the last/ only 3 houses we've owned have been total renovations and I just don't have the energy or appetite for it anymore.

@Idontknowlondon it does look like a project. The area is nice though. Worth asking estate agents if they have anything else.