Family areas in inner London if you could choose anywhere?

[LiverpoolFan83]

Moved to Blackheath in SE London last year. 1DC another on the way. Reason for moving there was mainly green space and primary schools. We are fortunate enough to be able to afford a 3 bed flat there, and hoping to buy a house in next few years. However, as lovely as it is, it feels a bit different to me and I can't put my finger on why.

Previously we lived in north London Tufnell Park / Kentish Town which I loved. It's really expensive up there though and even more so that SE London. I keep thinking that Blackheath feels really posh and if we could afford a house there I'd feel out of place. Definitely don't want DC to go to grammar school or private secondary which a lot round Blackheath do. I also am not interested in the suburbs or moving out as I've been a city girl my whole life and DH feels the same, so would only consider zones 1-3 and happy living in a flat rather than a house if there is still green space nearby.

I guess I'm struggling to find my tribe in London now that I'm thinking as a family and not just as a child free couple. No family ties anywhere so no real pull in that sense. Some areas I used to like feel a bit too trendy now, and some not right for families. We are very fortunate to be able to consider living centrally but a lot of places feel very posh which we are definitely not! Wondering if anywhere has the vibe we are after.

So, just a bit of dreaming, but if money was no object which area in London would you live in? Asking those who enjoy city living and not surburbia fans.

East Dulwich/Peckham.

don't know North/East London as well but Stoke Newington or Victoria Park would be nice too.

See, I find Peckham / ED quite hipstery?!!

Oh I am a city girl too. I would live in Primrose Hill/Hampstead. I do like my area East Finchley and Muswell Hill is probably a more realistic option for me as I want to upgrade from a 2 bed flat to a 3 bed flat (like you, looking at flats so I can get the more central areas). I have been looking a Ealing Broadway

Kennington. ED is nice but a bit yummy mummy land now.

If you can't afford Kentish Town or Tufnell Park, what about Crouch End or Muswell Hill? I think if you loved KT before, your tribe is still there (you haven't changed just because you've had children) and you probably need to be in N London as it's very different to S London.

I think Stokey is nice, but the parents irritate me a bit. Victoria Park is ok, and a good place to live but I would worry about secondary schools. I know lots of people who live in Walthamstow or Wanstead but I don't know those areas so don't know about the schools there.

Wandsworth between the Commons.

Peckham is hipstery and younger, Dulwich more yummy mummy - so nice balance between the two. I guess I was assuming if Blackheath was too posh/boring you wanted more life?

Brockley is lovely

I mean ... if money was no object I'd live just off the King's Road in Chelsea, or one of the streets behind Sloane Square. More realistically I'd live in Dulwich Village ... but that's still pie in the sky as I couldn't afford a parking space there!

Penge or Sydenham. A bit more 'city' like but family friendly.

I moved out of Tuffers/N7 a decade or more ago to the countryside however, I do have friends in SE1 and it’s great, I would really recommend it. Elephant/Borough borders.

I'm exactly the same OP - could never live in the suburbs and love city living. I live in Hackney Wick and love it - it's very lively and artistic and surrounded by parks and green spaces. Might not be your thing if you feel Peckham is too hipstery but it's changing quite rapidly, lots of young families seem to be starting to move here.

If money was no object I think I'd live in Victoria Park, in one of the lovely townhouses on the edge of the park 🙃

Would also suggest Walthamstow or Clapton - both lovely areas and seem very family oriented.

I'd avoid ED now only because it so busy. But Peckham or Nunhead get a big thumbs up for me. Telegraph Hill is also nice although still a bit rough around the edges once you get to the New Cross bit.

Peckham is a bit hipstery but there are also loads and loads of families - just go to the Rye at the weekend.

I should say, I'm biased as I live close to Peckham / Nunhead. What is really nice is that, without fail, you bump into someone you know at the park every weekend (or your child knows via nursery). It is the first part of London where I've ever bumped into people I know on such a frequent basis.

Brockley? Z2, not too hipstery or posh, good green spaces if you want them (Hilly fields) good mix of families and students because of the proximity to New Cross, decent secondaries.

@HelenHywater your post interested me. Can I ask why / how you feel south london is so different from North? I'm feeling this, but simply can't put my finger on why!

Yes I love Crouch End too - have also loved there is my flat share days. A few good secondary options too.

@amorlisboa yes I know Hackney Wick well as I worked there, and my sister lives nearby. I know what you mean but to be honest I find the whole of Hackney a bit too trendy for me though, same as area all around Vicky Park, or London Fields etc. I feel like North London has the right vibe for me (Kentish Town / Tufnell / or Crouch End rather than Hampstead village you understand)!

Oh wow, I'm really feeling like I'm not too keen on South now! I know Nunhead as have a friend who lives there but there's just something about it I'm not keen on, can't explain why. Same with South Norwood and Brockley

Tooting, Balham, Streatham, Battersea, Brixton. Crystal palace.

I have lived all over London - Nth, South and West (never East) and I prefer South. I know bits of it don't have Tube but the overground trains are usually good.

Is there a reason you won't go back North?

Highams Park?
Walthamstow village?
Leytonstone/Bushwood?

Maybe Wapping, London Fields, Stoke Newington? I loved living in Shoreditch but now that I have kids I don't think I'd enjoy quite as much.

Or Wansted, by Christchurch green

Or maybe on one of the big fancy houseboats in St Katherine's docks.

@LiverpoolFan83 It's very much a thing. I've lived in SE London the whole time I've been here. When we venture north it just feels strange. We'd never consider living there. I can't place why though.