Good areas to move to in London

[Jellybean2010]

Hi

We're expecting our first baby in March and sooner or later we're going to have to move to a bigger place!

We currently own a two-bed flat in Kilburn, with the spare room used as a home office. With the baby due soon, we'd love a 3 or 4 bed house. We've really liked living in Kilburn because of the great transport links and proximity to trendy West Hampstead and Queen's Park, but we can't afford a house in this area.

A friend suggested Woodside Park in Finchley and there are nice houses there and a good high road, but at first glance it seems to be predominantly grown-up families. Anyone live near there and would like to beg to differ?

Where else in London is a good area to look at moving to? North, south, east or west, we're willing to consider anywhere!

Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas
Anne & Martin

Woodside park is a good area, and there are plenty of young families around. There are some excellent schools also. Don't underestimate how important schools are, it may seem like a long way off but it's worth considering now, rather than kicking yourself later.
Areas around woodside park are good also, try parts of Finchley (again look at catchment areas for schools)
Northwest London out towards Pinner (though Pinner itself may be quite pricey) is also great for families and schools.

If you can get near to Frith Manor school in Mill Hill you won't go far wrong - North & Central Finchley not far away - nice leafy area

east dulwich or honor oak park

Can recommend Hither Green - moved there from Stoke Newington and was very skeptical about south London being a true N. Londoner, but it's a lovely area with a strong local community and good primary schools. Great tea shop too.

Move to where you have friends and contacts, or on routes to them. Woodside Park is fine but classic London suburb. The houses are more spread out so there is less contact with neighbours than you get in inner city areas. Think about whether you want suburbs with garden or a more dense and possibly more mixed community. Then think about secondary schools. Primary schools are good in most places.

Another for East Dulwich, Honour Oak Park, and also Forest Hill.

No, don't go South if you're used to the North - you'll get all mixed up and it'll take you 3 years to get the satnav to work properly.

Taxiservice -

The Northern Line can get very confusing...

and tedious.

Wandsworth. It's not called Nappy Valley for nothing!

Real sense of community, lots of young families, large green open spaces. Outstanding primary schools.

Lots of period properties, conservation area, children are really well catered for. Good shopping, can get into town easily from a number of stations and bus routes.

And I have a lovely property to sell

Teddington, Richmond, Twickenham

The best schools in the UK.

Fab area, beautiful parks and open spaces. Lovely famillies and lots of great interesting people. Loads to do. Close to everything.

Richmond on the district Line.