Relocating to London

My wife, newborn, and I will be relocating to London from Singapore in August (we're all Americans on an expat assignment).  Since our son was just born, I won't be able to make the look-see trip until a few weeks before we move.  Therefore I am hoping to get an idea of good places to live for a small family.  Our budget will likely be 1600-1800 GBP/month for rental accommodations (not including utilities, council tax, etc.).  We will have one car but will want to live in an area that have many "walkable" facilities (grocery/market, restaurants, pubs, coffeehouses, etc.).  Before moving to Singapore, we lived in lower Manhattan (TriBeCa) and love the nearby conveniences.  I've heard that Chelsea is a great area but maybe a bit too pricey for us.  Any advance suggestions would be appreciated.  I've looked at the foxton's website, but I can't quite tell which are the better neighborhoods for families with very young children.

Thanks

In your price range, I would check out Golders Green...good transport links, good shopping and lots of families. 

Im in a similar situation.. me, my hubby, my 2 year old and a new baby come Nov are moving to the UK this summer and are looking for good family neighborhoods.  We're in Colorado now but Im a former New Yorker and my husband from Seoul... so we definitely want convenience without a car too.  I'm a stay at home mom and we're definitely on a similar budget.... the neighborhoods people have recommended to us and we've checked out a few are:
- Putney
- Clapham
- Hampstead Heath (this might be pricey)
- Elmstead Wood (kind of far - zone 4 or 5)

If anyone else has good suggestions, I'd love to hear it too!  )

Denise

I'd avoid Clapham. 

The Heath will definitely be out of your price range...you could also try West Hampstead (though it might be at the low end of the range).

Where is your office  located? It would be easier to give a recommendation if I knew. 

I'd avoid Clapham. 

Would you? That whole area (Clapham, Streatham, etc.) is getting VERY trendy lately.

I would agree with Putney. Or maybe Richmond? Kew? Or there are some lovely areas in West London - Old Isleworth, Brentford, etc. You just need to pick the neighbourhood carefully.

Also, check upmystreet.com for info. on schools, crime rates, etc.

Putney, Clapham Junction (specifically Lavender Hill), the area of Clapham between the Commons, Battersea, Wimbledon...all very cool, within your budget, convenient, with great shops, bars, transport and green areas.

In North London, Islington and Hampstead.

Vicky

Try www.rightmove.co.uk [nofollow]

Foxtons is a bit on the expensive side. It has a bad reutation at the moment. However landlords love it because they get more money for their prpoperties.

When you find a property you like on rightmove, check the postcode and use this
www.upmystreet.com [nofollow] to find out about the neighbourhoods.

Whats important in the property you are looking for? if you need a garden then you may need to look at places a bit further from central london. Its quite common for people to commute into london if space is what you are after. Some good areas in london cost an arm and a leg and so you wont get much.