Moving to England - help with location and schools

[Soph074]

We are relocating to England from Australia with no work and no set location. We intend to arrive in Jan 2018 (mid term break). My DH has a right of abode and can work in the UK. We have two girls, 8 (will be going into Year 4) and 12 (will be going into Year 8).
Initially planned on living in London (Kingston, Richmond or Greenwich) but have heard its difficult to get into good schools and many schools can be quite 'rough'.
Looking for advice on locations to live with a young family and schools that not only provide a good education but all round care for children (wellbeing and support to transition from Aust). I understand it's going to be difficult arriving after the school year has commenced...feeling a little lost with it all, and worried girls will struggle.

I live in Guildford in Surrey and love it, definitely worth a look. Fast train from
Guildford to Waterloo takes about 38 minutes, good state schools, lots of shops/restaurants etc but also close to the countryside. Rents are cheaper out here than London but still nice houses, but the cost of commuting into London should also be factored in.

Not quite sure wear you got rough schools in Richmond. As a borough virtually all the primary schools are good or outstanding. Nelson in Whitton is an exception. Most of the secondaries are also good or outstanding. Exceptions being Twickenham school.Hampton high. Improving I believe and Richmond park, has a new head.
The good schools are oversubscribed but there is movement. As people do move in and out of the area.
Your money could get you this,www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-59554654.html. Good station access
Or this close to good schools and station
Right move has a schools checker

I would try London Borough of Sutton. V good schools, Sutton High as a private to get kids in a school to start with, then get on waiting lists. Lots of trains to Victoria and not as badly affected by the train problems mentioned earlier.

People do commute from Nottingham but unless you know people there I wouldn't and I'm from there. You still need to get into the centre of Nottingham and it's got some rough areas and schools that unless you know where to not go.

Remember miles in UK are not the same in reality as Australia. Driving from the outskirts of London to Nottingham can take anywhere between 3 and 6 hours depending on traffic. I'm sure if you mapped that time out on a map if your locality you'll see what I mean.

It's a helish commute every day from Notts, DH did it from nearby and had to be at the station by 6.40 every morning to be in central London for a 9 am start and was never home before 7.30 at night

Aside from that you're talking serious money for a season ticket in the region of 5-6k

With your budget I would be looking at the Home Counties but check whether they are grammar areas as this may affect your ability to access schools if you've missed the 11+

But OP has said they don't have jobs.
Surely they need to look at getting a job in Nottingham (or anywhere else in the Country) and living there, not living there and commuting to London.

Thank you. I will look into the locations recommended. If we considered Nottingham, we would look to live and work there, not commute to London.
Sounds like we would get more for our money living out of London and commuting in for work...but we need to be mindful of travel costs and time it would take to get into London (depending on rail line). Thank you for your advice to check ofsted and rightmove. These are great sites. Thank you for your sharing your thoughts re Richmond. I understand there is movement within schools.
Hopefully it will work out that we have jobs secured before we relocate as this will definitely help with narrowing down places for homes and schools.
Thanks again.

I would recommend Hitchin as well. Commutable to Kings Cross then tube to Victoria. Great schools and closer to Enfield if you want to be near family.

There is a briliant website called the Guide to Commuterland - it tells you where to commute from most easily for different London locations.

You can also look up schools on the ousted site as you probably know and access all their data and reports on whether they are outstanding, good or below that standard.

Ofsted not ousted!

There is also a book called 'where to live in London"

Can you give a bit more context?

what does your DH do? How much is he expecting to earn? Do you have savings to see you through?

To be honest London or Nottingham is a bit bizarre and sounds like you're just sticking your finger onto a map of England.

If however you are considering Nottingham you will probably want to be looking at West Bridgford or Wollaton for secondary schooling unless you are looking at private. The two main private schools are academically selective (Nottingham High School in particular - Nottingham Girls High School is selective but less so) but there are a couple of private schools that are not, Trent College is a lovely school and non selective. West Bridgford schools are not easy to get into.

Personally I wouldn't get tied into London. Very expensive and other cities are great.

Personally I'd look at Bristol or
Leeds. Particularly Bristol.

What do you actually want out of your city?

Nottingham isn't a bad city, and it is much cheaper to live there than London.
It really does depend on where you can get jobs.

If you're not tied to London I wouldn't aim to live there - Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham is probably where I'd aim if I wanted city life, and a £2k a month budget for rent would get you a lot more for your money.

What type of work can your dh do? Are you able to work if dh has right of abode? Is 2k based on a London salary (most equivalent roles outside will pay less) and net of living costs, school fees etc. If 2k is your total budget I think funding private school would be impossible.

What does your DH do?

Can I ask your reason for moving as I think this may influence people's suggestions.

Are you coming here to be near family or a desire to experience living in a different country? If It's about experience what matters to you?

Some of the suggestions above are perhaps more aimed towards commuting into London than experiencing the UK.

Milton Keynes for example is a nice place to live but It's a newtown and not where I'd think if what you're after is somewhere with lots of history for example.

It would be a shame to move all this way with a blank slate and end up in bland commutersville (talking generally here not about MK)

Someone above mentioned Bristol. I would definitely give it a look. Love my adopted home city. It's large, creative, beautiful with lots of amazing green space, lots of different areas which will appeal to all tastes, good primary schools though a word of warning about secondary as there are some nice areas that are not in catchment for any decent secondary schools so check that out. I could go on all day about this amazing city but take a look for yourself and see if it might fit the bill.

Thank you....DH is speaking with his previous employer for work opportunities, there are offices in Nottingham and a location near Victoria station so thought I'd get some advice.
We are hoping to experience the UK and have the opportunity to travel through Europe. I have an EU passport but can apply for a spousal visa.
In terms of what we would be looking for in a city - would love access to shops, cafes and activities for girls to get involved in (ie DDs love rhythmic gym, dancing and drama). I love London (though I haven't been back for a number of years) but also love the thought of living in a smaller village. I am sorry if I don't seem to have a clear direction...I think it's a reflection of my fear (and excitement). Appreciate your honesty and guidance.