Where should we move?

[LeavingCentral]

Where in or around London would you move to if you had the following criteria:

• ethnic diversity (this is very important)
• good schools (primary for now, secondary eventually)
• reasonable commute into the City
• access to green spaces/countryside
• decent high street (restaurants and pubs and more important than shops)
• a sense of community would be nice

We have a budget of £1.2m and would like a four bedrooms and a decent garden. Mid 30’s couple + toddler.

NB: I’ve often noticed on property threads where people say they want diversity that some areas are ruled out as ‘too middle class’. We’re very pro middle class areas.

Wanstead?

Balham

What areas do you like in Central or that you have visited? This will help us narrow down areas.

But if you want middle class ethnically diverse areas on the tube network, 4 bed £1.2m budget with access to countryside etc, I'd look at parts of Wanstead, parts of Wimbledon Town, parts of South Woodford. Anything further in and you are too far from countryside. Anything further out and you get into mono ethnic territory.

Greenwich/Blackheath?

We live in Shoreditch and love it here, but it’s not really child friendly. In the more family friendly areas we know and like (Islington, Highbury, Stoke Newington) you don’t really get much house for your money. Particularly if you want to be in catchment for a good school. And there’s limited access to the countryside.

I really like Wimbledon, but didn’t occur to us, for some reason. Thank you.

I’ve looked it up and it looks promising, thank you.

not with that budget

Oh, and it doesn’t need to be on a Tube line. Trains into London Bridge or Liverpool Street would be fine.

Yeah, I don’t think we have Balham money.

You can get what you are looking for in the Wimbledon Town areas of South Park Gardens, Ministers and Australia's. Walking distance to two tube lines and National rail. Walking distance to Broadway for shops, pubs and restaurants. And a slightly longer walk uphill (25mins) if you are feeling bougie and want to go to the Village.

Should add that Ministers is the most ethnically diverse of all those areas.

My name tells you where I think is a great place to raise a family.

Perfect. Thank you!

Not that far from where we live currently, actually. 😊

Kingston/Surbiton/New Malden.

Either of the below:

Hampton Hill

• small high street, lots of bars and eateries
• Open air Lido
• brilliant primaries and secondaries
• VERY GREEN
• literally on Bushy park (daily walks with the deer with a coffee in hand, bliss)
• Close to Richmond/Teddington/Twickenham for bigger shops/events/sports etc
• Near Kingston for bigger shops
• Downside - train to London is 30-40 minutes from Fulwell

Teddington

• Like Hampton Hill but slightly busier.
• Bigger high street with more options.
• Fantastic schools
• Still by Bushy Park
• River walks
• Near Kingston for big shops
• Trains approx 30 minutes to London

Surbiton

• Other side of the river from the two above
• Bustling high street, busy vibes
• Lots of independent and chain cafes/restaurants
• Very near Kingston for fantastic schooling
• Good locals schools
• Lots of local parks, close to Epsom common/Ewell Common/Bushy Park (driving 10 mins) for countryside
• Fast trains to Waterloo - 15 minutes!!!

Reading might be worth a look

Ealing?

Good shout, especially the former two, but I wouldn't call the £1.2m communities there ethnically diverse. Both are very white. Same for Hampton Hill

Ethnically diverse or relating to social class ?

Ethnic diversity.

Very comprehensive. Thank you!

Brockley / Telegraph Hill. Right budget, good primary and secondaries, ethnically diverse, largely middle class but good class / financial mix too. It’s where I would live if I had your budget!

Sydenham/Forest Hill should tick all your boxes here!