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.

@ArticHare I’d say west london. Acton area to me is the best, both for places to live in London when you have kids and connections to central London. It’s easy to get out of London as well. It’s got a good community feel as well without that ‘yummy mummy’ vibe.

There are so many parks around, close enough to Shepherd’s Bush, close to Chiswick, Richmond, etc. it’s also got a lot of good schools. Admittedly we are selling up and moving to Kent due to work but it’s the best place I’ve lived in London and I’ve lived in many. East London, SW, N, etc.

OP if you prefer North London just go back there and look within 1-2 miles of Tufnell Park. I like Crouch End (z3), for example or Muswell Hill. You will probably find Highgate too posh/expensive but I don’t think Crouch End is nor Archway etc. It will all boil down to exact street, local primary school etc and vibe in that microcosm. But if you have DC then bear in mind that secondary school comes around much faster than you suspect and if you want a school like Fortismere, then best to think ahead.

OP - I’d say west london. Acton area to me is the best, both for places to live in London when you have kids and connections to central London. It’s easy to get out of London as well. It’s got a good community feel as well without that ‘yummy mummy’ vibe.

There are so many parks around, close enough to Shepherd’s Bush, close to Chiswick, Richmond, etc. it’s also got a lot of good schools. Admittedly we are selling up and moving to Kent due to work but it’s the best place I’ve lived in London and I’ve lived in many. East London, SW, N, etc.

I would not live in Acton. The end. 😀

Why not?

I just want one of these ferocious tall houses 😀

I'm looking to move into London hopefully into a ferocious house! but probably a maisonette with garden in a late Georgian, early victorian house. looking in Islington. In fact I'd probably be happy anywhere north of the river. South feels very different to me. But if money was no object I'd go to Shoreditch.

Are there areas of Islington I need to avoid?

What’s your budget and do you have any requirements around schools and transport?

there are a few - mainly ferocious tall Georgian ones - but they cost an absolute fortune of course

They look more impressive from the outside than on the inside. They can feel quite dark claustrophobic. Lots of frustratingly small bedrooms which are difficult to knock through because each floor has a mezzanine room at the turn of the staircase so you never get two together on the same level.

@MiniTheMinx where in Islington are you looking? It's one of the most diverse boroughs, in terms of deprivation and privilege living bang next door to each other. I wouldn't write off many parts of it but would carefully look at the walk to nearest station/bus stop and see how you'd feel walking home at night. (Although I always felt pretty safe walking about).
Also check out neighbours.

I had noisy neighbours in Islington both when I was in an ex council flat and also when I was in a period property and the adjoining flats were all rented out to privileged young people who liked to party any night of the week. That can happen in any borough of course!

Near to Angel is my favourite bit, it's surprisingly peaceful away from Upper Street towards the canal.

I love those old houses and lived in one a long time ago (mid floor). I found it surprisingly dark inside, but tbh still loved it.

I have a friend now who lives in one, she owns a maisonette in Shepherds Bush and she’s driven mad by the noise and issues with her upstairs neighbour (he’s got to renovate his plumbing but hasn’t done, it affects the whole house).

I used to live in a flat and the whole noise from upstairs or issues with your noise to downstairs - drove me mad.

So now (if you can afford to), I’d always suggest buying a house. If unlike me, the noise thing isn’t an issue then I’ll jealous!

Each to their own 😁 I initially thought same as I used to live in Putney and couldn’t imagine moving out and Shepherds Bush/Acton area of all places (Putney was so peaceful in comparison in my mind) .. but once I’d moved, I found its actually got the best of both worlds to me. Good connections to inner London and out of London and lots of parks to choose from for the little one to play.

I know people in Acton. There's bugger all wrong with it, it's (the parts I've seen anyway), really nice
Very strange comment, particularly when accompanied by a big smirky face!

You must be the only person ever who wants to move OUT of Blackheath 😂

I don't understand Hither Green / Lee being 'too far out,' it's walking distance.

If you don't like Blackheath then you won't be happy in Brockley!

DFOD, we have a budget of £850 max, and need a minimum of three bedrooms and a garden.

Cyberworrier, I definitely need to be near Angel or highbury and Islington Stations. Preferably the latter.

AshRJ, I don't think I can afford a whole house, unless it's smaller overall, and victorian terrace. I'm really keen on the kerb appeal of these ferocious houses 😀It has to be Georgian or very late Georgian/victorian with preferably no bay windows, I hate bay windows !! all of the victorian terraces I've looked at have the bay window, one sitting room, one dining room, all the same basic quite traditional layout. I'm keen on the layout of various half landings, one room off of a half landing because it will give better privacy for two adults and two adult children. I basically don't want to be on the same floor as either boy. But yeah, noise from neighbours, rattling pipes,....that aside though I'd feel more secure in a maisonette in the upper three floors.

@Johnnysgirl agree. The green spaces alone are so valuable when you have kids. There’s a few places that aren’t nice but that’s every place.

Maybe Forinara had a bad experience.

Lol the place I used to live in Putney sounds idea for you. Especially the off landing bedrooms etc. oh and boy it has curb appeal. But you’d need triple the budget! 😂

The noise thing, yep I don’t mind the noises of the house, but the neighbour thing 🤦🏻‍♀️ Never again with flats/maisonettes for me. But honestly I’ve seen so many lovely flats with friends who are looking to move.. I wish I could put up with it, but it’s a no no for me now.

Sounds like you know what you want so I’d be tempted to go out and make a day of visiting different places. I know I keep mentioning it but the parks being close is so helpful especially if you just want to pop out for a breather (and if the garden space in your home is limited).

Not sure if it’s been mentioned before but MaidaVale, St Johns Wood, Finchley etc would be other options.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/122096141

No garden but three beds close to nice garden squares and not far from Highbury Fields- and it's a house! East walk to Highbury & I tube.

I was actually surprised how little there is in your budget around Angel and Hi & I. We used to live round there and searched with a similar budget a while back, but we were only looking for two beds- lots more on the market for two beds at that price.

I would say Crouch End/muswell Hill/Ally pally if you can run to it. My son was born in crouch end and it's nicely gentrified but still got a bit of scuzz round the edges- we lived in Blackheath at one point for exactly the reasons you've mentioned- never really took to it- felt a bit all fur coat and no knickers and we were burgaled twice

Depending how far you are prepared to move out and affordability , my other choices would be the Teddington/kingston/ richmond area, chiswick (I love chiswick high Rd) or maybe somewhere like Tooting (kind of has a north London vibe to me) I prefer them all to Blackheath