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.

Of course it's London.

Don't be so ridiculous.

Whoah there! Somewhere can be in London, without being inner London, as specified by the OP!

I think many people would agree that calling Norwood inner London is a stretch. That's not to say it's not part of London!

Someone defined inner London as being below the north circular and above the south circular earlier, I thought it might be Zone 1 and zone 2 on the tube. I don't think there is a set definition, but surely it means fairly central- or adjoining central at least?

I used to define inner london or 'london proper' as whether you had an 0207 phone number

feel so old saying that

The conservation area bit of Brockley is hard to beat if you like early Victorian town houses. (Not the more suburban bits with smaller houses that are actually Crofton Park etc - just not the same feel.) Very different vibe to Norwood - reflected in the price. Failing that, how about Greenwich? Battersea?? Not sure re schools though. There are some great state secondaries over in Muswell Hill but that’s stretching the ‘inner’ London definition.

@Yamyam13 I quite agree. In fact I'm possibly even older and can remember my mother answering "Westminster xxxx"

Maida vale.

Avoid East its a dump trying to move

OP Please please come down to
Shooters Hill/Woolwich. Such a wonderful, diverse family area and definitely no obsession with private or grammar schools! I couldn't be happier here and do laugh when I'm out in Blackheath at some of the funny comments I hear about Latin tutors or netball.

I'm a north London girl bought up near you. I moved to nr Earlsfield and although it's nice on paper I couldn't bear it and hated being south of the river. Was desperate to move back and so we did and now live in Islington with children and I absolutely love it.

Have you thought about Archway? Really changed in recent years and a newish secondary school who's 6th form requirements are apparently higher than Eton!! They have a nice farmer's market and an M&S food store there. It has a nice relaxed vibe.

@imasurvivor2 I know Archway well, or at least did until I moved away about 5 years ago. Yes it was "on the up" at that stage and is close by some of my favourite places like Dartmouth Park. What's the new school? I'll have to check it out.

The schools up there I've thought about are Acland Burghley, William Ellis and Highbury Fields.

@Forestgate I've lived in Maida Vale. It's lovely but the secondary schools are not right for us and I know them well through my work.

I read it in the Times a while back but don't have access now. I found a similar article here www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10398651/amp/Two-north-London-sixth-forms-selective-Eton.html

I went to one of the schools you mention but it was a long while ago!! Children in Islington can also apply to dame Alice Owens school which is in potters bar but apparently is easy to get to - I know people in Tufnell Park who send their children there.

Inner London is defined at the inner London boroughs isn’t it? Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth etc (for the south Londoners anyway).

What about Hammersmith? The West London Free School is extremely popular and non-selective.

@imasurvivor2 ah just googled - it was formerly mount Carmel catholic school so I know exactly where it is. Great news. There are too few mixed non-denominational secondaries in London, let alone ambitious ones like this. Thanks for highlighting it!

Herne hill is great. Two fantastic state secondary schools nearby and really family friendly.

Queen's Park? Kensal Rise? Roundwood Park area / edge of Harlesden?

You'd need to move very close to one of the few good schools to get in, though. Its the right mix of inner London grit, a bit of yummy mummy stuff going on but not overkill, still a good mix of social housing, decent private flats and £££ houses.

I live in a north London suburb, further out, as I like a bit of tree-lined street peace and quiet after growing up in inner London. But if I was going to move further in again, I'd choose somewhere like the above. Anywhere too hipster or yummy mummy would do my head in.

Also, I can't 'do' South or East.

I tried in my younger years - lived in Herne Hill, Camberwell, East Dulwich, Dalston. I couldn't settle.

I like North and West. Its completely nonsensical but also non-negotiable .

The Lewisham side of Hither Green might work for you; an easy walk to multiple train stations that would get you into central London in 7-15 minutes, lots of green spaces around and not posh. If money was no object, I'd probably live in the Barbican, Highbury Fields or Finsbury Park.

I agree that if you do find your "place" in London it's really difficult to move to a different one, not completely sure why. I have never been tempted by East, and disliked north of the river all the times I've lived there. SW London all the way for me!

@BoujiBea sorry but there's no amount you could pay me to live in Harlesden! I've lived in Queens Park and Willesden and worked in Neasden so I know it well. There's no way I'd sent my DC to the schools there either.

I think what I mean by posh is Uber old money posh - Hampstead village, Chelsea etc. I'm fine with a Little Waitrose round the corner!

There is a real mix of suggestions here. There are actually very few areas within London which are totally lovely on every count. You could count them on the fingers of one hand. I think it is a case of falling in love with the 'best characteristics' and overlooking the bad ones. I live in an area often recommended on these threads but I would love to move and never return! It hasn't changed except become better and better. I may have though.

Money no object I would live in Wimbledon or Kew but neither central London. More central, I would live in Canonbury

My feelings about proper central London have really changed over the past couple of years. I passionately want a nice big garden and solitude over the convenience of accessing a hundred restaurants within a five minute walk from home.

Canonbury is lovely!