Where to live in South West London?

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We will soon be moving back from abroad with a young baby and are likely going to settle in South West London (having previously lived South East and North). Maximum budget is probably £1 million but ideally would not spend this much. We'd be looking for a 3 bed (or 2 at a push) and would be happy with a house or maisonette / flat as long as we could afford a small garden.

We have honed in on SW London as we have family in Surrey / Hampshire / Dorset. We want to remain in London as 1. DH works in central London and does not want a long commute and 2. we both just really like London!

The biggest priority for me is a very family friendly area with good schools and where we will easily make friends (in the time we have been abroad our friends have scattered all over the country and we are also the first to have children so realistically we will probably be needing to start over a bit socially). I'll be a SAHM at least for a few years so worried about being isolated. Keen to avoid anywhere too pretentious!

We will be coming across in a few weeks to check out some places so keen to get a little list going. Thanks in advance!

I see you were considering Wimbledon. I grew up in Wimbledon. It's a nice place but it's changed a lot, it's got more of a rundown feel now, and the high street and shopping centre is not that great. there's also a mix of people (which i like), different households and is more culturally diverse than boring places like Teddington and Surbiton. I think there's a lot of traffic there, pollution is probably a problem people don't realise, people can be snobby and the schools aren't that great, well they weren't 15 years ago. Many were "requires improvement" but not "good" or "outstanding". my old high school is now "outstanding" which makes me laugh because it was a total craphole.

I know the areas well, including New Malden and Kingston. These areas are becoming more and more rundown, with more flats being built all over the places. Shopping areas have been key to their funds, but retail has gone down these areas and so there is less money flowing locally. There are nice leafy pockets, but you'll still hear traffic. And it will feel overcrowded at times.

It depends on what you want.

Just wondering where you decided in the end?