Relocating to London - Where to live?

[Tricey]

Hi - We're newcomers to Mumsnet and looking at a possible relocation to London. We could really use some help with several things...

1. What 'neighborhoods' (preferably in London, with Hubby commuting to Poplar area) are best for us to live-in? Looking for a clean, safe place that's toddler-friendly and good fun for mum to make friends.

1. What are rents like...i.e. what kind of budget do we need for rent? Groceries? Car?

1. Any other tips on life there? Nervous about the move and could use some input from those there.

Thanks!

PS - Hope this is the right place to post this topic.

Thanks, RTH; will check it out too.

NQC : where do your local Italian friends send their children to school, we are struggling a bit with this one.

I have lived in Kensington and loved it. If I could live anywhere in London and had the money, I would be in Kensington. Loads of culcha, restuarants, the parks, schools all in walking distance. And if you get a dinky mews house with a wall in front, you don't get the same beer bottle, puke or dog poo problem.

I have also lived in Lewisham, Streatham and Brixton. All have their good points - but for a family, if you have the dosh, , Kensington is cool. Shame about the jubilee line, though.

EEG, I think one is using the local (Tower Hamlets) primaries? Not sure, haven't seen her for a little while. Another is using the local independent (Gatehouse, just west of Vicky Park) (Italian dad, French-Canadian mum). Another has children too young, oh, and they live in Walthamstow come to think of it.

Are you Tower Hamlets or Hackney? Are independent schools an option?

There is a special secondary school for children with European parents, the school's out in Kent or something. I know a Spanish mum who's sent her eldest there (after using Lauriston for a primary).

No, independent are not an option. Anyway I heard negative reports about Gatehouse, but cannot remember what...We are in deep Hackney by the way, I really like it.

My DS1 went to Gatehouse for a couple of years, but is now at a Cith independent school. I liked it ok. I know people who are very happy there.

I'd start a thread asking about Hackney primaries? Or look at the existing threads? I'm no use on Hackney, really. I mean, I know Lauriston is meant to be good, but I'm assuming you're not in their catchment area.

There was a thread about hackney schools, everybody seemed to be at independent schools though. Don't you find exhausting doing the school run to the City? If I remember from other threads you are a sahm no?

not all hackney schools are bad! ds is at one. he's very happy, we're very happy. the standard of teaching is excellent. sure, it's a bit scruffy but imo that isn't important. i love that we're part of the local community, but certainly wouldn't sacrifice the kids' education for it. and yes, we could afford private fees and will consider it for secondary school.

I'm only doing pick ups generally, and it's ok. I mean, yeah, I'd rather there was a local primary I could love, but there isn't, so he's in the City.

I think there are some excellent schools in Hackney , unfortunately we are not in their catchment anymore. We used to live near Gayhurst, not anymore, our closest is a church school which seems ok, not sure how many supportive parents send their kids there though. I agree with another mumsnetter who said that inner city schools need a critical mass of supportive parents to function. Hoxtonchick do you live on the LFields side of Hackney? Are there plenty of supportive parents at your dc's school. I don't mind scruffiness either, I married the scruffiest French man one could ever meet.

I am soooo lazy, ds' school needs to be 5 mins from our flat, otherwise I will never manage to get him to school.

our school is rapidly improving (if you CAT me i'll tell you which one it is! it isn't gayhurst, though we were offered a place there). we have a fantastic new head. ds is in reception & i do think there is a critical mass of supportive parents in his class. i really like the size (only 1 class per year) & friendliness. ds has learnt to read since september. sure, some of that is down to ability/good nursery/lots of books at home, but i certainly haven't taught him .

oh dear, i'm hijacking your thread again tricey.

ha ha, the end of my post said it's really good to be close (we are 2 mins away) .

I think if he's going to Canary Wharf, then it's a good idea to be on the Jubilee line. The St John's Wood, Marylebone, Regent's Park areas are really lovely - some beautiful houses, lots of park area and some good schools. Or further down the line, there's the Westminster area but it's not as much of a family area as the others. Greenwich is also lovely.

Fox - Ee're going to have a look in all of those. Thanks everyone.

Hoxtonchick - I think I know which school you are talking about. What is the percentage of supportive parents in your ds' class? 20%? 40%? surely not 60%? Tricey, apologies about the highjack, I hope you enjoy your stay in London, I think it is a wonderful city for adults and children!

EEG, are you coming to the Victoria Park meetup next week? Then you can pick the brains of at least 3 or 4 hackney primary school parents simultaneously...

Thank you frogs, I cannot leave home basically, dh is in France and I have work deadlines plus the drudgery of childcare!

Ah shame, eeg. Maybe next time? We're not scary at all, really.

Maybe just a little bit.

Hello! I am a hackney-ite too... Homerton way....
I'd agree that Vicky Park (E9) is a very nice area to bring up the kiddies, and also London Fields (E8) has gone that way now, with all of it's farmers markets, baby yoga classes... People alsway seem to dismiss Hackney as there's not tube, but I think that that's one of it's best qualities, somehow slowing total gentrification... there's an amazing mix of people here... frankly I'm more into the "gritty" side of Hackney (or rather my wallet is!). Tell me more about this meetup - I pop in and out of mumsnet - am more of a reader than a writer... Katy xx

Excuse the hijack, I have started another thread looking for advice about moving to Walthamstow in this same section for any mums who live there, hoping for some good tips like Tricey!
Thanks

I worked at Canary Wharf for four years and commuted from Highbury. Took about 40 minutes but did involve 2 changes. You get used to it.

Highbury is great for kids - village atmosphere, very safe, lots of kids clubs and pre-school groups, huge green spaces (Highbury Fields, short walk to Clissold Park which has a small zoo, both parks have great kids' playgrounds and Highbury Fields has an indoor swimming pool) north London (that means much more affordable than NW or W in most instances), just next door to trendy Islington (home to lots of celebs) with all its great boutiques and restaurants, and Highbury has the #1 and #3 best primary schools in Islington borough. Highbury is a very easy bike ride or drive into Docklands (about 30 minutes). I did it on scooter sometimes - that was fab in summer! But you have to pay for parking the other end.

We did look at moving to be on Jubilee line or DLR to make my commute easier. Considered West Hampstead / Finchley Road area (couldn't afford St John's Wood) and it's a nice area and good for kids and good transport links. We decided to focus on Greenwich - I love Greenwich! it's an amazing place and transport is so much better now it's on the DLR - but we never managed to have an offer on a property accepted so we have stayed in Highbury which was better in the long run since I changed jobs and now work in the City. However, you would find it a long treck into the West End for shopping etc. from Greenwich if that's something you want to do while you are in London.

Unless you have a huge budget and you feel you need to be in the Westminster and Kensington type location for emotional reasons (i/e/ luxury label wearing yummy mummys for neighbours) I would just forget it unless your husband will be doing a lot of travelling from Heathrow. If he has to do a lot of travelling, then a short commute to and from Heathrow can make a big difference.

Do you have some names of big London estate agents so you can check websites? E.g. Foxtons, Ludlow Thompson ...

HTH!!

bealos, if you go to the Meet Ups section, there is a thread on the meet up, it's a North East London meet up.

Look , I've even done a link for you, and bumped the thread.