Potential move to London in two years - where to look

[Sabee]

Hello,

A bit of a long-term question - but would love some advice.

We moved out of London some years ago - jobs/slower pace of life etc.

We are now considering moving back. Both of parents are getting older, as well as the fact that we have never felt settled.

It will come at a tricky time as we will be needing secondary school (in year transfer) as well as a primary school (also in year transfer).

It feels horrendously terrifying, as prices are so high, and we have so many things at stake. Our budget is around 450-500k which is high for us.

What we are looking for:

• Three bed, garden (even if small), parking
• decent schools (don’t have to be amazing, we need to be able to get in)
• near a tube line 👀

We have tried the bigger house, and the parks, and the open spaces - but miss London. I’m not looking for ‘more for your money’ I’m looking to be near tube transport if possible, don’t want to be driving around etc and kids activities, sports centres, libraries etc.

I feel like it’s a laughable budget, but any ideas on where we could look into? Would prefer south-west, west (or north west London if budget - not as in Camden, but north west direction - Harrow etc).

I am not looking for a perfect house, quite happy to get stuck in, just a place we can get out and about with the family.

As this is a two year plan I want to start thinking (obsessing) about it now, and whether it is realistic at all and whether we need a higher budget, as otherwise we may not be able to afford to move back.

Thank you

I don't know west London very well but I can suggest the Barkingside area, which is East.
It's on the London central line with several other central line stations in close proximity. It also has several very good schools.
Currently, you'd be able to get what you're looking for within that price bracket.

Hi
Thank you for your reply!
We would consider East London, but our parents are on the opposite side, so would be too far for us I'm afraid ☹️

I think if you can find a three bed on that budget in London, it'd not be a good place to have preteens or teens. We moved away from a euphemistically described "up and coming area" of a large town as it was just depressing and we felt very insecure to allow children to become independent in. I feel so much better now we've moved and they are more independent because of it. You say you don't want to ferry children around but you may feel like you have to if you don't think they are safe. Is moving back to London really worth it?

We are exploring at this stage. The move is inevitable and I’m quite sure transport will be vital for us teens and beyond, it definitely was for me as I was growing up, going to college, uni etc.

You can get a nice 3 bed garden flat round Streatham, Mitcham, Norwood/Crystal Palace for that budget. Maybe no tube station but plenty of trains and buses. Decent schools too.

Harrow? Rayners Lane? You can get a small 3-bed with a garden in Rayners Lane for £500k.

Morden could work. It's got a tube, close to other SW areas such as Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Colliers Wood. Could get a done up 3 bed for 550ish or one needing work for 500.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118963853#/?channel=RES_BUY

Your issue with a small budget is that east and south are always cheaper than north and west.

If I were you I’d do a very broad RightMove search with your criteria of house and budget, and then research from there.

Where did you live before/where do you know?

Not London, but the Elizabeth line will be going out to Maidenhead when it opens, which will give you a quick link into west London and good schools and more affordable housing

Mobear,

Yes thank you, I think Harrow is an option we need to look into.

Sannygrymith

We have thought about that, but ideally want to live a bit further up so we are near both parents

No squirrels

Yes, east London would on paper look great.

Lived in North West London - but it was a long time ago. Previous areas which were rough have become pricey - and I feel everything has changed in the time we have been away.

Counting to three

That looks very very interesting - thank you! 💐

Curtaintroubles

Its not as simple as that I’m afraid…, it’s not just our parents it’s both our sets of siblings, with nephews and neices, uncles and aunts etc

And it’s us, we really really miss home.

The size of the house doesn’t bother me - I grew up sharing a room with my sister, and my kids share rooms too. We spend a lot of time out and about, kids go to local sports centres for sports etc

I try to support my kids education, so as long as a school is decent I will be happy.

It’s daunting because I know even within one area, roads differ, the vibe can be different - it’s finding that knowledge while being so far which makes it very difficult!

That's a low budget for London. You're looking at the outskirts. Someone mentioned harrow...similarly Uxbridge, Hillingdon. Areas that have a tube station, not too bad schools and you could get a 3 bed in that range. I'd use a tube map as a guiding point then look at those areas.

How about this? Close to Hampstead Heath, good schools nearby, lots of things to do in the area. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/119115002#/?channel=RES_BUY

My work colleague moved to Ham, Richmond and bought a 3 bed ground floor self-contained flat with a huge garden for just under £500k. 15 minute walk to Teddington station or a 15 minute cycle along tow path to Richmond station. Fantastic schools and of course a stone's throw from Richmond Park and Bushy Park. It's like this (but 3 bed) and freehold
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113405159#/?channel=RES_BUY

There's the likes of this directly across from Bushy Park
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/106994468#/?channel=RES_BUY.

I think you might struggle for a 3 bed house in Harrow for that budget, would maybe need to look a bit further out like northolt/uxbridge/Watford .

Some friends had a similar budget last year and they didn't find anything in Harrow.

I just put 5+ miles around Willesden into Rightmove

There's lots of 3 bed houses in your budget around Edgware, Mill Hill, Southall, Northolt.

I wouldn't think too much on the vibe, it changes so much and so often.

Thank you everyone for your replies 💐

Some great ideas very much appreciated x

No idea of prices, but have you looked at cricklewood? I liked it back when I lived in West Hampstead, which is definitely the perfect part of London! Really wish I could move back to London too, I miss it.

In Harrow there are exLA houses in the area around Hatch End High school which is a good secondary school for £500k. Nearest Station would be Headstone Lane (London Overground). Only one stop to Harrow and Wealdstone for faster services into London. You may get a house close to Harrow and Wealdstone Station for that price but it's not as nice area despite the good transport links

Look at ex-council for a better value option.

Also does it really need to be a house? Flats are much better value