Raising teens in London - good areas?

[Citylifemum]

I listed a question in another section but users suggested I try asking on this forum.

I've one young child, a boy, and TTC. We live in London and will remain here due to our jobs and because we like everything it has to offer, the diversity and the variety. At the moment the area we live in was great pre-kids but isn't very suitable for family life.

I am looking ahead to teenage years / secondary school and aware of the rise in problems young people face as I work with young people in a support sector. Like all parents I want to do my best to support my DC to stay safe and thrive.

I'm wondering if we would do well to choose the area we want to live in now whilst DS is still small, and make a go of it in a new area with a view to staying there until DC have left home. My concerns are finding good Co-Ed secondary schools (not Catholic) and it being a good safe area for teenagers (as far as possible). Obviously I know that nowhere is untouched by violence, gangs or drugs etc. but some areas are better than others.

We are fortunate enough to have a pretty healthy budget for a home so lots of London would be available to us but as a newish mum it's the first time I've looked round London areas through a family lens.

What are other peoples experiences of raising children / teens in London and areas which tick most of the boxes?

I don’t think you can beat Ealing for families. There’s a reason it was known as nappy valley when I lived there. Loads going on for preschoolers and their families, good primary schools and a good choice of independent and state secondary schools. Attractive, leafy and if you buy around St Stephens or Pitshanger (loads of independent shops) or around Lammas Park, you wouldn’t even think you were in London-apart from the planes! The people I know who raised their teens there are still there and very happy with it. We had to move because my husband’s job relocated but it really was the best place to have kids.

That's interesting, thank you. One thing that always put me off about Ealing was it feeling unlike London / a bit far out. I guess the Elizabeth Line means it's better connected to central town now but not sure if the area feels a bit too like a town outside London?

Interested to hear state secondaries are good though.

If you can afford it, the “between the commons” bit of SW11

Richmond & Sutton are the safest boroughs I think crime wise.

I think the best state secondaries are in Kingston, Barnet & Sutton due to grammars.

You do restrict yourself somewhat if you want to avoid faith schools.

They are outer areas though.

If you can afford it, the “between the commons” bit of SW11

most people who can afford this go private, it's very much a bubble & not really diverse!

I think Sutton feels too far out / too suburban-ish. Richmond feels less suburban because you have the Thames, though the commute is still pretty long. But at least there's a tube so different commute options. Richmond is lovely - worth thinking about as I gather secondaries are good.

tbh I grew up in z3 & had friends in Kingston & Sutton (z4) through school (catholic) & all our streets were pretty much identikit suburban leafy streets. Richmond feels far more suburban than parts of Sutton eg the high street & then somewhere like Carshalton can feel like Surrey so it depends on the exact location.

But I don't see suburban as a bad thing 😁

good co-ed non faith secondary schools in Richmond would be Grey Court, the rest would be Twickenham way.

Herne Hill/North Dulwich/East Dulwich is fab for kids and teens and still feels very 'London'/zone 2. Charter is an excellent state secondary school (with a very small catchment)

You really need to look at catchments for the last few yrs to work out how close you need to be a school as some of them are pretty small.

North Kingston - great schools (due to grammar schools); good transport options (Richmond tube via 24hr 65 bus; Richmond train; Kingston train); river; Richmond Park, Bushey Park; lots going on in town etc

Agreed with this area and also Wimbledon but no idea re state schools there.

Schools change - what is good now may not been good once your kid is that age!

Wimbledon has some great primaries and must have decent secondaries as the family I know of three kids all went to places like Sheffield and Leeds. It's very pretty and leafy near the Village (with price tags to match), and nearer the town (down the hill where the station is) not exactly cheap (our street of Victorian terraces are around £900-1.2m), but we do have parks at either end and three very good primaries within walking distance. Train to Waterloo is quick.

Upminster! Don't let z6 put you off. It's very, very sought after, mainly for its schools. Lovely high st and park, loads of kids/family activities and on C2C train line to Fenchurch St as well as the District Line.

The nice, safe areas are more expensive and have a higher proportion of private school attendance.
Do you want to go that route or state?

E.g Barnes is amazing for primary but not for state secondary.

I'm also in Ealing and love it. Lots of brilliant green space and very quickly into town on the Lizzy. It's not super-urban, but it doesn't feel "suburban" to me in the way that, say, Kingston does.

I'm from Wimbledon, the best schools were catholic which I think is still the same.

& the best non faith ones are not co-ed

If you want something more central and, feeling like you're more in London, I would consider Victoria Park Village in Hackney. It is really central, but feels clean and open (thanks to the lovely streets and houses), has the canal, access to loads of parks, the village, markets, everything. I lived near there when my kids were babies, and it's brilliant for them. But also, thanks to close access to so many amenities, and open spaces, and culture, also brilliant for teens. I would move there in a heartbeat if I have in excess of £2mill to buy a house with!

If Ealing feels too far out for you I think you will struggle to find a family type neighbourhood. Most people traditionally move out to the suburbs when they have children for extra space and more greenery. Personally I would look at Greenwich or Barnes myself if budget wasn't an issue but they are out of the question for most people. You mentioned coed do you mean private day schools? Most state schools are co Ed

@Citylifemum you will be narrowing your options by excluding faith & not mixed schools.

I'm pretty sure most grammars in Kingston & Sutton are single sex.

But from my limited experience there's no particular safe places these days, not when it comes to teens. We moved away, best thing I ever did. Meant I could work less and spend time with my family