Pick my ideal London neighbourhood for me!

[Babygirlnameq]

I currently live centrally (zone 1), but looking to move somewhere new.

Here is my criteria!
-a solid and very friendly community who are there to stay (not mega transient like my current zone 1 area) - maybe a villagey feel?
-family friendly
-interesting diverse people. DH and I both work in creative arts, so like minded folk would be great. Plus I’m mixed race, so prefer not to live somewhere with lots of wealthy, white, boarding school types (sorry if that sounds horribly reverse snobbish - but my university cohort was like this and I just didn’t fit in)
-pretty and green nearby
-fairly central: doesn’t take an age to get into town
-deep SE London doesn’t work very well for family who are NW of London

We’ll rent rather than sell up at first, and can afford around £3000 per month for 3 bedrooms and a garden. Don’t mind if it’s a flat or a house.

Where should we go?! We’ve toured everywhere and can’t figure it out.

Another vote for Sydenham/Cystal Palace/Brockley/Forest Hill. Overground runs round to Islington. We live West Norwood which is great but public transport not as good.

“Dreaded Leytonstone “? 🤔 I would have thought that ticked a lot of boxes.

Yes, there's nothing to dread in Leytonstone. Well maybe the traffic sometimes?

Are you thinking of Dartford? That's definitely too far away!

Deptford is like 10 minutes to London Bridge

But I would suggest Herne Hill too, that ticks all your boxes

Crouch End ticks all your boxes, depending on what you mean by "doesn't take an age" to get into town. You can get the 210 to Finsbury Park (Victoria and Piccadilly) or (depending on whether you live in the east or west) walk to either Hornsey (overland into Moorgate) or Highgate (Northern). Takes about 30-35 minutes in total to get to Charing Cross, door to door.

Muswell Hill very similar- 210 to Finsbury Park or get the bus or walk to Highgate.

Both are very family-friendly, diverse and villagey. Lots of arty people and things going on. Good schools too.

All the coed secondary schools in Walthamstow are Ofsted rated "good". They aren't any worse than the schools in Muswell Hill. Walthamstow School for Girls is outstanding.

Seven Sisters doesn't really have a "hub" or a "heart" though. Not my experience of it anyway. It's got no real green space to speak of, either.

Whatever ofsted may say I really wouldn’t recommend Walthamstow for parents of boys…

I would agree that secondary options for girls in Walthamstow are better than for boys. But I don't recognise the primary school exodus, most parents are very happy with the choices at primary level.

Ally Pally or Stoke Newington. Or Bounds Green / Bowes Park, not exciting but diverse and grow on you (apart from the have a dreaded LTN at the moment which is all sorts of fucked up)..

Herne Hill, North Dulwich, East Dulwich, Bellenden road side of peckham

All the coed secondary schools in Walthamstow are Ofsted rated "good". They aren't any worse than the schools in Muswell Hill. Walthamstow School for Girls is outstanding.

I don't care what Ofsted say - I know enough about the mixed secondary schools here to know they are not good (as I said, the girls options are better). I only know the Muswell Hill schools by repute, but I have always heard there are lots of good options.

apart from the have a dreaded LTN at the moment which is all sorts of fucked up

Isn't it?! I accidentally drove into it recently and I thought I would never get out without violating some filter.

Ealing. Excellent schools. Lots of greeb and open spaces. Beautiful housing stock. Lots of media types live here, and also v diverse culturally. Five Elizabeth Line stations so super quick into central London.

But I don't recognise the primary school exodus, most parents are very happy with the choices at primary level.

Yes, lots of really nice primaries in Walthamstow.

Ease up, leytonstone devotees, i meant it kindly. Everyone in the world who couldn’t afford hackney lives there now so it’s clearly not so bad.

Seven sisters is not fancy but downhills and lordship rec are on the doorstep so it very much does have parks!

I’m not here to argue that Vicky Park village isn’t far more… pleasant…. but it’s not what I’d call diverse, either culturally or financially.

Victoria Park Village is estate agent speak for the area in Hackney north of Victoria Park around Lauriston Road.

😛

It depends how often you want to see family and whether you drive or take public transport. Herne Hill/East Dulwich/Brockley are all great areas but will take you at least an extra 30 mins driving than their North or West London equivalents.

What about Clapton? I think it meets your criteria and budget. Lovely green space nearby, much more diverse than Vicky Park Village, lots of creative types.

I work in Bethnal Green and live not far. While it's dear to my heart, I wouldn't want to live there. It's pretty transient in terms of community and the drug problem is bad even by east London standards.

Forest Hill, Hither Green, Sydenham, Crystal Palace - all areas which tick your boxes!

I am very much out of love with London but still like Muswell Hill a lot. I think it fits your list and is well located for you. Plus access to lovely Highgate Woods.

I am a POC but more mixed race appearance. I don't consider it relevant but thought I'd mention it as some people have said stuff about rich white people.

I’d look at Ealing too. Great schools - primary & secondary - and great transport links.

Queen’s Park.

My black friend (married to white man so mixed race family) used to live in Lee (near Lewisham). I really liked the area (so did She) though there is no tube near by. She then moved to Sidcup and really likes it there too

I love SE London and Dulwich/Peckham/Herne Hill is a good shout but if your family is NW London then you're probably better off being Queen's Park or Ealing. But depends on your ultimate budget for buying really.

actually your budget won't really stretch to Queen's Park.