I have 2 years to come to terms with moving from my lovely area of London. Please help me find somewhere else in London that I will like just as much!

[IlanaK]

I currently live in Marylebone and love it. For financial reasons we will have to move sometime in the next two years. Until now I have not even been able to entertain the idea of living elsewhere, but now I have accepted it.

I need help to start looking at other areas of London. Here is my list of what I would like to have in an area. I am aware I will have to compromise somewhere as we need somewhere cheaper than we currently are.

1 good transport. I am used to access to loads of tubes, buses and even trains.

2 being able to walk to everything. We got rid of our car. Currently I walk to the leisure centre, drama classes, parks etc

3 Good parks and playgrounds within walking distance

4 Good local food shops - not just supermarkets

5 farmer's market

6 villagey feel

7 cycling distance to dh work (I realise this might be the one to go). He works in the city and currently cycles there.

1. Easy transport back to this area to see my mother

Schools are not an issue as we home educate.

I know already that I cannot afford any of the areas bordering where we currently are (St John's Wood, etc). So I think I want to look at areas completely different.

We are currently in a flat but want a house with a garden. 3 bedrooms.

Soooooo....not asking much am I ? Any suggestions gratefully received!

Kilburn/West Hampstead? Not too far from Marylebone, either (God, you must be spitting having to leave . I used to work on Marylebone High St. Paradise )

Ok, looking at a tube map now:

Southwark would be ideal as on the jubilee line.

Balham is pretty far out and on the northern line (shudder)but actually someone told me recently that Clapham is up and coming and really family oriented now.

Clapham is great. It's the only place south of the river I'd live

Highbury? (might be hard pushed to find 3-bed for £400k but worth a go).
Or, Camden / Chalk Farm - bit more scuzzy than Primrose Hill so might find something to suit your budget.

No to Kilburn/ West Hampstead. I know the area quite well.

What or where is Stokey?

Blackheath
Highgate
West Hampstead

Another vote for Stokey here - plus there's loads of young families there which is good for the kids.

think you might struggle budget wise in Clapham

and east Dulwich and Stokey are both nicer anyhow .

Stoke Newington, sorry! Not on tube, though. See my earlier post. About as villagey as you can get in London, though.

Lol Miss Mattie! That's exactly how I felt about south london but now need to change my thinking. Ok, so Clapham is a definate contender.

400 k for a 3 bed house or flat in clapham? I think you'd be lucky. Bet you lot have never even been to forest hill.

Stoke Newington is just east of Highbury.

ruty, I just left London because we couldn't afford a house in Peckham. I can only dream of Forest Hill .

Blackheath

I think Blackheath is the most villagey place in London, followed by Muswell Hill and Hampstead. Sadly the latter two are probably out of your price range.

Dulwich area.

Clapham is awful overpriced.

forest hill
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-22114583.html?pageNumber=1&backToListURL=%2Fproperty- for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FsearchType%3DSALE%26locationIdentifier%3DREGION%255E85335%26radius%3D0.0%26di splayPropertyType%3D%26minBedrooms%3D%26maxBedrooms%3D%26minPrice%3D%26maxPrice%3D400000%26maxDaysSi nceAdded%3D%26_includeSSTC%3Don%26x%3D109%26y%3D13%26sortByPriceDescending%3D%26primaryDisplayProper tyType%3D%26secondaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldDisplayPropertyType%3D%26oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyT ype%3D%26oldSecondaryDisplayPropertyType%3D%26newHome%3D%26retirement%3D%26auction%3Dfalse%26partBuy PartRent%3Dfalse&locationIdentifier=REGION^85335&radius=0.0&maxPrice=400000

oh dear. link works though.

Blackheath - my childhood home (can't afford to live there now) Great place - am still always hanging around there. Very villagey, farmers market, historical, lovely park etc

We have an annual mayday parade each year, lots of local children participate, dancing round maypole on the green, crowning of May Queen and big party after. Ever so villagey! My boys have been pages in the parade.

Loads of social events organised by Brentham Club.

I do like Mareylebone, - must be very hard to have to leave.

I don't want to leave Marylebone at all, but we have to. I can't believe that I can't afford any of the places you are all mentioning. I assumed that after living in Marylebone I could afford somewhere else!

Crouch End? Muswell Hill?

No idea re house prices there though, will be cheaper where I live (ie, closer to the tube but then not quite so 'nice')

Ok, I have searched clapham properties online and we could afford a garden flat which would be ideal.

So, anyone live in Clapham and want to give me the low down??

Not bothered by views at all. Greenwhich and Dulwich are nice, but I don't think we could afford them realy. Still, I will certainly keep them in mind.