New w/ family & looking for housing

Hi, my family and I just moved to London last Monday (14th). Currently staying in a hotel and looking for a place to call home.

My husband works in London (Liverpool Street station is closest). We have 3 children (8, 8 & 12). We'd like to keep my husband's commute as easy as possible, so a direct tube/train is most desirable. Also good/easy access to groceries/shopping for me and good schools for the kids. Where should we be looking/avoiding? Do not have a car for now and not sure if we'll get one.

One son has a disability, so we need to be near an step-free station. We'll be traveling via Eurostar once a week for his clinical trial in France (Lille).

Also need a single storey, or at least 2 bedrooms on the ground floor of a house/bungalow or flat. If above ground floor of a flat, we require a lift. Need a total of at least 3 bedrooms. We'd like to stay around £1500 pcm (can go a little more if necessary), furnished would be preferable.

Thanks for any help you can give. This past week has been quite the adventure.

--Laurie

It's good that you have some criteria in place.  Now you will have to prioratize that criteria.

I would start by getting a tube map:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf

It shows stations that are wheel chair accessible.

You should also look for rail maps for lines that go into Liverpool Street Station or St. Pancras if you decide that easy access to that station is more important.

I would also get a map of London so that you can see what you're dealing with.  Just to give you some perspective, London is about 659 square miles.

You might want to start by looking at stations that are on lines that go into Liverpool Street directly.  Your budget is pretty tight for what you want so I would start at Zone 3 and beyond.  The farther you get away from Central London, the more you get for your money.

Here are some property websites:

www.rightmove.co.uk
www.primelocation.com
www.findaproperty.com

This website will give you an idea of neighborhoods:

www.upmystreet.com

Furnished flats are pretty normal and just make sure you tell your estate agent exactly what you need regarding bedrooms, no stairs, lift etc.

Estate agents are very area specific. 

The best way to find out if a neighborhood has everything for you and that you feel comfortable is to spend some time there just walking around.  A neighborhood that might be great for me, might feel off to you.  It's very subjective and as I pointed out before, London is huge.  There is something for everyone, you just have to do your research which if probably going to involve a lot of legwork.

Good luck!