We are moving to London and don't know where to live - HELP!

[momfrombrooklyn]

My husband will be working in Canary Wharf. And we have 3 choices, we can live in Greenwich (short commute, good park, ), Blackheath (a little longer commute, nice house but no playgrounds?) or Clapham (long commute, nice houses and good park). What would you do?

1dilemma have the new classes announced at some schools not helped you? A girl art DS's nursery got into one of those after not having an original place.

No
as a result of one of them we have moved from something like 129 to 111 in the list (interesting because the class would have been for 30 and I was calling pretty regularly at that point so don't know where the other children came from)

we are in a really pushed part of the borough loads of dcs at nursery have no school to go to, several have accepted a school they really didn't want (and for good reason IMHO)the nursery usually has several dcs going to a couple of schools and this year has noone, near neighbour who 2 years ago got 2 schools (diff. boroughs) this year has none I could go on.

Will be interesting to see what LA will do. I was off to see local MP about it last weekend but got tied up at work don't know whether he is having another session before they start their neverending summer holiday!

Whereabouts are you? It sounds horrendous.

Whereabouts are you? It sounds horrendous.

Whereabouts are you? It sounds horrendous.

Whereabouts are you? It sounds horrendous.

I grew up in Greenwich and went to school in Blackheath. I wouldn't say they either of them were cut off, but they both have traffic problems. I do recommend a short and simple commute, it really reduces stress no end (and London is a highly stressful city). Both Blackheath and Greenwich are nice places to live with smallish children, lots of green space, nice centres. Trains from both Blackheath and Greenwich often are delayed outside London Bridge (in fact all lines which run through to Cannon Street/Charing Cross have this problem). But that only really matters if you are commuting into town on a regular basis.

I'd go for Blackheath, but depends where in Blackheath, because presumably your DH wants to get the DLR if possible. Parks not an issue, you can easily get to Greenwich Park. Second choice Greenwich. If you can avoid a commute to Canary Wharf that involves the Jubilee line, I would - the novelty wears off quite quickly.

You can also get the riverboat from Greenwich to Canary Wharf and beyond into the City/West End (embankment.

I live nr Canada Water area - one stop on tube to Canary Wharf or one stop on riverboat to same.

I love it but not so yummy mummy/twee as Greenwich and Blackheath (which I also love btw) and no Victorian housing, if you like that.

The riverboat is fast commuter service btw run by Thames Clippers.

The riverboat is fast commuter service btw run by Thames Clippers.

I would def go Greenwich or Blackheath. Clapham is a slog to CW and not nicer (I live in Greenwich so am rather biased!).

I would say the advantages of Blackheath are:
-generally better schools;
-fewer tourists.

Advantages of Greenwich:
-nicer parks closer;
-more transport options (DH can get the tube, DLR or gorgeous but expensive river boat to work);
-shorter commute (could be home in less than 20 minutes on a good tube day. Important if trying to make bedtime).

To be honest, if you are torn between Blackheath and Greenwich I would start looking in both areas. There are few enough properties on the market that your final decision may come down to where you find a house/flat that you like...

I agree with lostinthcitylover. Canada Water (or Rotherhithe in general) is a fantastic place to live for families - lots of green space, good community feel, and great schools (try Alfred Salter). Really easy to get to CW.