How is Richmond (Richmond upon Thames, Greater London) for living?
We haven't visited it yet, but it's one of the neighborhoods I'm interested in. The main draw is Richmond Park. My gf are getting seriously into cycling (just joined a team), and would like to continue to ride regularly once we move. We don't plan to get a car, so we won't be able to transport our bikes and need to be near good cycling areas. I hear Richmond Park is popular, so we'd love to live near it. I also see that there are many National Cycle routes in the area, including one along the Thames all the way out to Oxford.
I read that it's a pretty expensive area, but at first all we'll be looking for is a one bedroom flat to rent, and as a professional couple, I think we can manage that. I also understand that it's a little far out and we might have a decent commute on our hands if we work in central London. However, I've been doing an hour-plus driving commute each way for the past year and half, so a comparable commute on the tube is not that daunting to me. I'd rather commute to work and be near good cycling than be close to work and find that I never ride my bike.
Anyone familiar with the area?