Moving to fairly central London

[trafficwarden]

Bit complicated. Planning on moving back to UK after doing the overseas thing for 7 years. Central London is where we are both most likely to get work. We are in our 40's, child free, fairly solvent. Love theatre, eating out, exploring, shopping, museums, pubs, all sorts. We travel a lot. Don't want to have to commute (been there, done that) Would like to see a bit of green if possible.
We are going over soon for 2 weeks - where do you suggest we look? I know it's a cheek but insider knowledge better than estate agent blurb on the websites.

avoid "nappy valley" if you are child free unless you love seeing a pushchair every few meters up the road or are prepared to stay in during the weekends and holidays for a quiet life.

yes tispity I live in the wandsworth/balham/nappy valley area and much as I love it cos I have little ones, not sure I'd recommend it as a haven for childfree couples! Trafficwarden if I had your blissful sounding lifestyle I'd go for somewhere around Marylebone, St John's Wood or even Bloomsbury. Good luck searching!

I would go for Borough. Fab market, nice pubs and restaurants, by the river and easy bus or walk into central London...

Oh yes, Fitzrovia and Marylebone nice too.

whereabouts centrally may you end up working? West End, City, Canary Wharf?

I live in Bloomsbury, which is GREAT for getting to the City, West End and Soho area, but a complete pain (at the moment) for Canary Wharf as they're doing refurbishment to the DLR at Bank.

I would recommend around London Bridge/Borough. For many places South of the River (like Blackheath, which is beautiful), there are tons of transport issues. The south is very badly connected.

Bloomsbury may not necessarily be very green, in terms of large parks, but Regents park is an easy tube ride/walk, and there are lots of little parks.

Thank you all for your insights, we're going to be very busy. Previously looked at South Kensington and St John's Wood but in a vague sort of fashion. Still very much in the planning stages so no idea where exactly we would be working. Plenty jobs going for experienced, friendly Midwives all over London. Not so hot for my other half's profession at present. River apartments sound interesting (scuttling off to do some research)
To those of you who like the sound of my "blissful sounding lifestyle" - we like doing those things but most often don't have the time or energy. I'm trying to find a place where it becomes reality rather than fantasy!

How about Pimlico? Underpriced I think, near the river and Green Park, easily walkable to the West End or to Chelsea and great public transport. Some bits are a wee bit souless, but there are also some nice garden squares.

I'd look at Earls Court, Bloomsbury (some bits are less pricey), Clerkenwell and around Liverpool Street (Spitafields). Belgravia is good too (Victoria Station). You can find some character properties there, both old and modern.

the problem with living in the City proper is that the stressed-out, pinstripe-clad weekday crowd is really it's soul - come the weekend, it is quieter and you do get Wagamama all to yourself BUT there is not really much of a community to speak of.

Pimlico - agree that the garden squares between the station and the Tate are pleasant enough and there is a yummy sandwich shop which does the best egg/cheese/spinach -combo baguette in London. the Tate is very grown up indeed and compared to the other one across the river, a lot more couple-y even if they maintain otherwise (we took the dcs there once and decided we would return when they werea lot older!). downsides of pimlico is that a lot of property is on short-term let and the restaurants are bloody awful.

earls court is very aussie (as you prob know), too busy IMO with the same issue re the rental market so not a great sense of community either

Belsize Park