Moving to London

I'm planning to move to london and join my boyfriend sometime this year (we'd be married by then). I've got all the advice/suggestions I need in acquiring visa thru the visa forum. Apart from that I got another question ... I have 2 kids, 19 & 13. My 19yr old daughter will be staying here for college but i will have to take my son with me. How's the school system in UK? Is there a big difference between the public school (i think they call it state school there) and private school system? My son is in junior high now (7th grade), will he advance to the next grade or will he have to go back to 7th grade again? My boyfriend lives in East London (East Ham), is that a good area to live in? Lastly, how difficult is it to find a job in London? And for a family of 3, how much do we have to earn to get by each month?

I hope you are a street-wise family, because East Ham is a high crime area, according to the figures:

http://www.upmystreet.com/inf/sin/det/?l1=E12

Jim

I replied to one of your other posts (almost identical to this one?) with comments about my own East Ham experience... 

Yup it's the same ... i figure i need to post that part of my message onto a different topic. Thanks again.

My daughter was 14 when we moved here--she had finished 8th grade in the US . She was placed into year 10 here. It seems they go completely by age in placement of grade. I have been very pleased with the school and how they have handled her transition--she has adjusted wonderfully. I do think choosing a good school makes a difference. My husband talked to many of his friends who have children to get recommendation of schools in the area. It is not like the US you aren't limited to one school for your neighborhood so be sure to check out schools in the area. If you happen to be catholic you are automatically entitled to a catholic school in your area-- and they are free.

If you have any other questions feel free to pm me-- I am not familiar with London but do know the anxiety of moving with a teen.

Helena