Space vs Location - Ealing vs Chiswick

[babyelmashad]

We're currently in a small 2 bed 2 bath flat in west london and looking for more space as little one is now 16 mo and thinking about another sooon

Our two options are:
-Chiswick - preferred location, 4 bed, 2 bath, terraced house (but no ensuite master) and no ability to extend but wonderful location, close to primary schools and nurseries, nice garden

-Ealing - bigger detached house, 5 bed 4 bath, more affordable but with not much walking distance and close to the A40, big garden (but trainline at the end of it - you can't hear it though) only thing nearby is a small coop, everything else would require a car, schools in the area are mixed and would likely need to go private

What would you do? I'm so torn because I love Chiswick and the location but worried that as kids get older I'll regret not having more space, or do you think that you'll never regret being in a great location? Just curious for people's thoughts and if any thoughts about the locations.

If you plan to have 2 kids I'd live in Chiswick. You may end up needing private schools either way you go.

To me having to drive everywhere would be too much of a compromise on location. I'm assuming your budget is up to ~£1.5m.
Staying in West London you could also consider:
Hanwell - you should be able to get a 5 bed detached
Northfields - a 4 bed (semi?) but with more space and larger garden than Chiswick

Pitshanger

I’d go for Chiswick, location is everything and it sounds perfectly big for a family. You can’t beat being able to walk to nice places from your front door.

Out of those options I would definitely choose Chiswick.

Location always!

Chiswick

I know both areas quite well and it seems an odd property comparison
Whats your budget?
There are really good schools in both areas but probably more in Ealing but oddly scattered across the Borough especially for secondary as there's only 1 in Chiswick..but if your kids are babies maybe
..Ealing has many houses in better locations than on the a40... and better transport links than Chiswick...why do you think you need private schools...?
Chiswick has the river, possibly better shopping and a fancier reputation but traffic is awful..public transport and schools not as good
If you want similar villagy feel then Pitshanger...although state secondary schools can be tricky from there easy access to private..
If state secondary then Hanwell has 3, South Ealing /Northfield have 2 options....

Chiswick or Ealing Broadway. Some parts of Ealing are awful.

From your description a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house in Chiswick is still going to be a decent size.

I would Chiswick over Ealing every day of the week.

Chiswick is just much more appealing with loads of shops, restaurants etc, accepting that the traffic can be challenging some of the time. But there again so it can be in Ealing as well.

I live in Ealing and visit Chiswick a lot, both are lovely, I’d definitely recommend it here I live by the Common

I live in Ealing and I’d pick Ealing, and did over Chiswick. Obviously it depends where in Ealing but transport to town from Chiswick is poor. The high street isn’t what it was and whilst there are some nice restaurants and bars you can easily cab or tube from Ealing. The parks in Ealing are fantastic and not sure where you are looking but the schools are decent too - I’m thinking primary wise Fielding or Little Ealing (assuming you don’t get a church or Catholic place) and then secondary The Fields is fast getting a good reputation, especially now partnered with Twyford.

Northfields is very family friendly and community minded.

I would look at Pitshanger-a village atmosphere with great park and.primary school. Brentham Estate is an Arts and Crafts conservation area. St Stephens is nice, too, you can walk to Waling Broadway. We lived in Ealing when we had young kids and it was so family friendly. I like Chiswick but it feels a lot more cramped than Ealing.

I'd look for a different property in Ealing.

Ealing is a better location overall, but not on the A40 with nothing in walking distance!

Look at Northfields. Or Ealing Broadway. Everything in walking distance. Good state schools. Loads of kid activities. Great parks. Good transport links (much better than Chiswick). And just a better vibe ime.

If you want private school though, Chiswick probably does have better options there.

Chiswick is nice, but Ealing is better.