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Original poster

Moving back to London - crazy?

46 replies

sdra · 14/03/2022 22:09

There is NOTHING where we are. A house has come up where I used to live in London. I've always missed it. Would it be crazy to make an offer and move back in?! 2 kids. Year 3 and 1.
Pros: on a quiet road, backs onto a wood, garden, short walk to state school, amazing private secondary nearby (vvv selective) and a decent state comp, fun London, more opportunities for kids as teens, loads to do, green area, know the area, no further from parents
Cons: it's north facing, it needs a lot of work, it's a terrace so no access to the garden from side (which is overgrown and also needs a lot of work), needs remodelling inside - though could live in it as is, kids are settled where we are, know no one there really anymore, it's London - and that means noisy, busy, polluted, crime, the amazing secondary is vvv hard to get into and I can't see many other private options, would the kids hate me forever, would I actually then miss perks of suburbs - greener, parking space, not busy
Help!!

OP posts:
UnderripeBanana · 14/03/2022 22:53

People mainly seem to leave because they want more space for their money. If you can afford somewhere big enough for your family then come back. London is amazing for kids.

alwaysmovingforwards · 14/03/2022 23:12

Looking to move back also.
Went out to the Home Counties… but it’s pretty boring really.

Heronwatcher · 15/03/2022 08:05

I think the secondary situation doesn’t sound ideal. Would you genuinely be ok with the comp? Don’t move there banking on the selective school. Also what are the schools like where you are now? If better, can’t you just get your own place sold and rent for a short period until something comes on the market (lots of people sell around Easter). I personally am wary of “going back”, often things aren’t quite as good as you remember!

HomeHomeInTheRange · 15/03/2022 09:11

Nothing wrong with a decent comprehensive!

I loved bringing our family up in London, Primary School makes it easier to make new friends….

What general area is the house in?

Original poster
sdra · 15/03/2022 09:19

It's highgate/crouch end
We're currently in rented so that's good. Where we are the comp is not great but not horrendous. More choice of private secondaries and a little easier to get into (but not a walk in the park) but they are all 20 min bus away. Less things to do around here and more reliant on me for lifts but easy to be in lovely countryside. We're not far out of London. Our other option is to stay here (it's me who struggles) spend less then on five years or so buy a bolt hole for in London. (I am also v aware of privilege here and am annoyed with myself for feeling so down about where I live when people are struggling to evacuate their home countries and worried about dying.)

OP posts:
Davethecat2001 · 15/03/2022 09:49

I'd move back in a flash.

DustyEarle · 15/03/2022 11:02

Do it! I bitterly regret moving out of London and am planning on moving back once kids' schooling is finished. Highgate/Crouch End is brilliant for children and teens.

WorriedMutha · 15/03/2022 11:58

We moved back to London from an hour away last year. No regrets. I think if you wait 5 years you will get priced out. We love having everything on our doorstep and looking ahead, options, prospects and independence are all favourable as kids get older.

SD25 · 15/03/2022 12:34

Move back for sure. Great area. London comps outperform rest of the country every year.

bunfighters · 15/03/2022 18:07

I'd move back. They are still so young and will settle easily. London is a fabulous place to bring up children.

Original poster
sdra · 15/03/2022 21:29

The house is going to go to best and final :( i think it will go for over, which is more than we can afford. We'll try and keep looking....I'm quite surprised by the comments. I was sure I had sorted my feelings out to stay put but now all this has got me unsure again. It's mainly just wrenching kids out. Also the fear that perhaps the grass isn't always greener but I do miss it.

OP posts:
NewHouseNewMe · 15/03/2022 21:50

London is good for kids but AMAZING for teens - free bus travel, subsidized cheap tube rides, free museums, shops, walks, clubs..

I've considered moving out of London myself but never have somehow. If I did, I'd go to Scotland or the Lake District - somewhere completely different!

ukborn · 15/03/2022 22:00

Ive just moved back after ten years away (moved 70 miles south when my husband died). My kids were in Y2 and Y4 and I thought moving out of London would be a fresh start... it was great for me I met loads of friends and the kids walked to school, but as they became more independent I couldn't see myself staying on - kids getting restless, I wanted new challenges, and I really missed the city. When my daughter suggested moving to another school for sixth form I grabbed the idea and ran with it (of course coinciding with the ridiculous housing boom). We moved last summer.
I love the hustle and bustle. I'm in a terrace in zone 3 ten minutes walk from the tube, my neighbours are lovely (I never met my old ones other than to have a disagreement about the fence).
Here I'm on the street's WhatsApp group and have met a couple people for coffee. At Halloween the road was full of kids trick o treating and there was a lively atmosphere. I have two parks to walk the dogs, several local friendly cafés, and have reconnected with old friends. My daughter has gone to a few museums and the theatre with school and her friends. She's become much more self sufficient, navigating the tube with confidence, and volunteers with autistic kids.
I wouldn't move out again - it served it's purpose at the time, but now I'm here to stay - I'd like to be even more central but my budget is not big enough!

Perfectlystill · 15/03/2022 22:04

I'd move back in a heartbeat too. I am biased as I live in London and love it but my DC love it too, even more so now they're secondary age.

IME rural living is best for young children - when they get older they want to see more of their friends. (I grew up on a remote farm and LONGED to live in London from the age of 11 or so).

Original poster
sdra · 15/03/2022 22:05

i think i need to do some more digging on the school situation...it would be highgate (private) versus highgate woods (state). There doesn't seem to be much other option around crouch end/highgate end. I guess Muswell Hill has Fortismere but it doesn't seem to get great reviews anymore....Are there any other middle range coed private schools around? Not as crazy difficult to get into as Highgate? That's my main sticking point as where I currently am, there are a few options, so I feel comfortable that we can find a school that's right albeit one that is a bus ride away.

OP posts:
FAQs · 15/03/2022 22:07

I’ve never come to terms with my decision to leave London, if I could afford I’d return straight away.

Original poster
sdra · 15/03/2022 22:09

congrats @WorriedMutha @ukborn reassuring to know it worked out well for you! did you find the decision easy or agonising?!

OP posts:
Delectable · 15/03/2022 22:21

This is an interesting thread. We're married a few years and looking to move to the home counties from zone 1. :)

IsThePopeCatholic · 15/03/2022 22:27

I’d move back to London.

DelphiniumBlue · 15/03/2022 22:45

@sdra

i think i need to do some more digging on the school situation...it would be highgate (private) versus highgate woods (state). There doesn't seem to be much other option around crouch end/highgate end. I guess Muswell Hill has Fortismere but it doesn't seem to get great reviews anymore....Are there any other middle range coed private schools around? Not as crazy difficult to get into as Highgate? That's my main sticking point as where I currently am, there are a few options, so I feel comfortable that we can find a school that's right albeit one that is a bus ride away.
I think most of the other private schools in the area are single-sex; Channing, UCS, South Hampstead are the ones that come to mind. There's also Northbridge House, which is not so academic but I've heard is good for creative children. Highgate is very competitive; Highgate Wood is popular and you'd need to make sure you are clearly within catchment to be sure of getting in. Fortismere may not get such good reviews these days, but it is still an effective school where children are able to do very well.
Kipperandarthur · 15/03/2022 22:57

@Delectable

This is an interesting thread. We're married a few years and looking to move to the home counties from zone 1. :)
Zone 1 to the Home Counties is a very big change.

I’ve done zone 3 to Hampshire and frankly I’m struggling a bit. I never thought I would say this but it’s just so out of my comfort zone. Lots and lots of good points but having lived in London for all my life I just miss the interconnection of it all.

But I’ve now got used to a quieter pace and market town vibe. Somehow I think if I can’t settle I’m going to have to do the half way house back further up into Surrey.

gingerhills · 15/03/2022 23:05

Do it. I miss London massively. I'd love to retire there but DH loves the countryside. We moved to semi rural home counties area when DC were tiny. Our village has lots going for it, but I so miss the buzz of London.

Waitingwaiting3 · 16/03/2022 08:22

@sdra

i think i need to do some more digging on the school situation...it would be highgate (private) versus highgate woods (state). There doesn't seem to be much other option around crouch end/highgate end. I guess Muswell Hill has Fortismere but it doesn't seem to get great reviews anymore....Are there any other middle range coed private schools around? Not as crazy difficult to get into as Highgate? That's my main sticking point as where I currently am, there are a few options, so I feel comfortable that we can find a school that's right albeit one that is a bus ride away.
APS if you lose this house? That’s near Ally Pally. Or the Archer Academy in East Finchley.

I’d move back in a heartbeat, OP.

Waitingwaiting3 · 16/03/2022 08:24

Ahh sorry I didn’t see that you wrote private!

Plenty in Hampstead if you want to do the drive!

frazi2345 · 29/03/2022 20:39

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