Know anything about the Richmond/Kew area?

Wondering about the Richmond/Kew area...seems relatively close in to London amenities/jobs (though I realize this depends on exactly where), but perhaps more suburban feeling than some of the other neighborhoods I've been looking into...e.g. St. John's Wood, Maida Vale, etc. (and possibly a touch more affordable).

Is it relatively green (I know the Gardens are there)?  Good place for kids?  Welcoming to Americans?

Richmond and Kew are luvley, but since I don't know the areas you are trying to compare, I couldn't say if they are more suburban or affordable. I also don't have children so can't help you there either.

What I do know, is that they are both desirable places to live on this end of of London, and having been to both, have a nice feel about them. As well as Kew Gradens, Richmond also has a huge park. http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/richmond_park/

Wish I could help a bit more.

I know a little bit.  We live in Chiswick, close to Kew Bridge.  We looked at Richmond first, but it was too expensive.  Our budget was 1600 pounds/month for housing. Depends on what you want; we couldn't get a house with a decent garden and parking for that money.

It's all pretty green!  There are loads of kids around, so I guess it's OK for them.  On our side of the river, most people are immigrants... I don't think they'd be bothered by Yankees. 

Do you find getting from the Richmond area into Central London pretty easy?  I've looked at the tube map and entered a few destinations on the journey planner website and it doesn't look too bad...I just want to be able to take my kids to all your basic tourist destinations (St.Paul's, British Museum, etc.) pretty easily and since I have 4 of them, long or complicated tube journeys are pretty much undoable! 

Richmond station, which serves both the Underground (District line) and National Rail, is located on the high street. There are 2 carparks adjacent to the station, as well as bus services, so reaching the station from your home should be straightforward. 

To get to where you want to go in London will probably require changes at some point (after you exhaust your options on the District line itself). How old are your kids? Are you dealing with a stroller/pram? Most of the tube stations don't have elevators but stairs and/or escalators.

I really like Richmond and would certainly live there if it was convenient for me!

I've been to Richmond once.  But that one time was enough to make it one of my favourite places in the UK   GORGEOUS!

There were plenty of children about, but I can't really tell from one day if that is usual

The overground service from Richmond is much quicker and more pleasant than the tube.  Trains go to Clapham Junction, Vauxhall and Victoria, and are very frequent and have good connections.


Vicky

I think it would be a good place to live with a family, but I don't know about it being inexpensive.  I've always thought Richmond was probably one of the more expensive places, suburb-wise (I could be wrong though).  I belive its child-friendly, and as you said more suburban feeling. Plus like everyone else said, you have the parks!

I find the commute into central London pretty painful from Richmond.  But if you only do it every once-and-awhile, its managable.  If you will be going often, it may start to get on your nerves!

I think it would be a good place to live with a family, but I don't know about it being inexpensive.  I've always thought Richmond was probably one of the more expensive places, suburb-wise (I could be wrong though).  I belive its child-friendly, and as you said more suburban feeling. Plus like everyone else said, you have the parks!

I find the commute into central London pretty painful from Richmond.  But if you only do it every once-and-awhile, its managable.  If you will be going often, it may start to get on your nerves!

please expound on the painful bit. We are looking for an area in SW london if at all possible so i'd love to hear the problems with that commute.

Well, for example, I go from Zone 1 (Euston Station area), to Richmond (zone 4) for work every once and awhile.  My final destination is a bus ride away or 25 min walk from the Richmond station.  So my journey takes about 1.5 hours, and is not cheap during peak times!

So I go, tube down to Waterloo or Vauxhall, then overground train to Richmond, then bus to final destination.  Its a lot of switching....and as I mentioned not cheap.

It might be different for you, if you go only on the weekends (off peak times), price-wise.  But its not a straight-forward journey.  You can't just zone out cause you are changing around so much.  Its not for me, but others may not find it as bad.  I just find it hectic being at Waterloo in the mornings during rush hour.  Not how I like to spend my mornings.

M

The direct train from Richmond to Waterloo takes just under half an hour.  I did this journey daily when I lived in Norbiton (a bit further down the line) and it was generally okay.  The problems you'd need to know about are...

a)  They are delayed quite often, so if you are on a deadline, make allowances and try to get an earlier train than the one you need

b)  Getting a seat in rush hour is a scramble.  I would rather poke my eyes out with red hot needles than take 4 kids on this train at peak times!

c)  Money!

Vicky