Moving back to London - areas?

[LawdAMercy]

We left SE London five years ago, and settled 40 miles south in semi-rural market town. Enjoyed living here but never really felt completely settled, (DH especially).

We have been renting and are in a position to buy now (FTBers), but considering a move back to London for culture and better access to jobs and opportunities for us and the kids. Eldest is 9 and as lovely as our current setting is, I worry about job opportunities in the future if we stay here.

Interested to hear from anyone that has been in a similar situation and moved back, happily (or otherwise!). Also looking for recommendations on where we could settle, especially anywhere ‘up and coming’ - house budget isn’t huge but want decent schools.

Thanks

Anyone?

or is London just a complete hole since I left? 😂

whats your budget, and what’s your job situation? Ie are any parts of London preferable - north / south etc?
how many bedrooms do you need?
what’s the overall criteria?
chatGPT could be your friend here!

Lots of options in SE London if you’re happy to go back. What’s your budget?

um it’s a big city. Do you want to go back to SE or are you looking everywhere? You say you want culture, access to jobs, good schools. What kind of culture are you interested in, and what industry do you work in? Are you looking for independent schools or state? Most importantly: What house price can you afford?

We need to know budget, what you need for the money and whereabouts you need to get to for work. E.g. the City, Canary Wharf, the West End etc.

We are in Kentish Town which is great for access to Camden School for Girls or Parliament Hill which are non-selective so you won't need the stress of 11+, but you don't say if you have girls. Boys options aren't so good tbh. Transport is excellent to most areas. I'd be targeting specific secondary schools as your eldest is the right age to look beyond primary, and if you manage to move very close to a top comp, you can get all the dcs in on sibling priority. Most areas close to a good comp will have a good family community as other parents will have moved there who value education.