We're a couple in early 30s, recent transplants to the UK, currently renting a flat with small garden in W2 very close to Hyde park (moved here during the peak of pandemic & got a nice deal). We're planning to start a family next year and move to a house with garden. We work from home now and are looking for 3 bed houses up to 950k (mortgage is set & I'm crossing fingers & toes the rates don't go on increasing). I've been scouring this forum for a goldmine of property info that's really helpful for a FTB like us!
Any recommendations on neighbourhoods/areas to consider for us will be much much appreciated :)
Our priorities for the place are:
(1) Community: The most important right now - to be in area where we feel part of a diverse community of young families & working professionals. We both work in technology startups, so extra points for places where that fits!
(2) Vibrant neighbourhoods: We were spoilt by easy access to countless cafes, stores, restaurants, venues etc. Would be great to move to a place with some of this, maybe a nice high street (the high street was a new concept for me on moving to the UK, so I'm using it as a placeholder to mean all basic amenities are met within walking distance and some cafes, shops etc give a feel of the local vibe)
(3) Open spaces: Living next to Hyde was a true blessing. Whether it's parks or river walks, it'll be important to have some nature around us to take doggo & future baby around :)
Good connectivity to central London would be nice since it's what we're most familiar with, but we're both remote workers so it's not critical on a daily commute basis.
The plan is to move in 3-5 years, so I'm guessing schools will matter the most in that move but for now we'll be able to get good nurseries/primaries in most areas - do let me know if you think that's not the right way to think please!
All recommendations are most welcome on where we can look in our budget.