Renting in the Ealing area?

I've been looking at properties for rent in the Ealing area after looking at the N and NW. I'm trying to find that's going to have a decent shopping areas, close tube access and good schools. If it were only me going to be with my fiance, I wouldn't be all that fussed but the kids take priority. I like Surbiton but no Tube. Rail is close but the commute is long for my fiance. Get closer in to London and Tube access and you lose that suburb-like feel that my kids are used to. Don't want to culture shock them too much! Plus, when I do find a place that looks promising on the various estate property websites, they are gone before you even call. It's like they don't update those websites often enough. Very frustrating. Would I be better to go through a leasing agent to keep an eye out for properties that suit our needs?

Just curious, is it difficult to get a car/insurance as an expat on a fiance visa? This might make the moving location train tube conundrum just a little bit easier with one of those! 

Thanks!

I live in Ealing

I live in Ealing common actually which is a bit lovely. It's between Ealing Broadway and Acton. Ealing is a great choice as it's leafy and suburban with good transport links but isn't super expensive. I big up the Ealing!

The area around Ealing Broadway is medium busy, there's a great overground/tube (district/central)/bus service and a small mall. If you're looking to move around Ealing Broadway then there's lots options, the area directly next to the station is not really family suitable, so suggest looking around the parks - Walpole Park, Lammas Park and Ealing Common. You probably don't want to go as south as Gunnersbury park.

All the streets around Ealing Common have big period houses with small gardens and mostly have small parks at the end of the street.  Ealing common is a big Japanese area so there are 3 Japanese grocery store/lunch places and 2 amazing sushi restaurants, if you speak Japanese you can rent a place from a Japanese letting agency which offer better rents. It takes about 20 minutes to get to Westfield Mall at White city by tube or bus, so nice and easy for shopping, and there are shops at Ealing broadway (small mall, some good restaurants, high street)

I know the school at the end of my street is really highly thought of, it has a grade 1 OUTSTANDING ofsted listing and just looks really nice whenever I walk past (every day!) - http://www.twyford.ealing.sch.uk/resultsandreports/ofsted.html

Basically London rentals are cut throat. A flat or house will normally go on the first viewing, we were the first people to see our flat and our last flat and the flat before. You have to be ready with money and move fast. If you just go by what's online you'll likely not find anywhere. I do morning calls, what came on that day to agents and refresh gumtree throughout the day, when I see one I like, I view them that day and pretty much decide on the spot, it's really the only way if you're renting. Otherwise you'll just get stuff other people have turned down.

I live in Ealing too, although I live in the triangle made by Ealing Common, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations and all are within easy walking distance. This is also a great place for driving options as the A4, M4, M40, and North Circular are all close by.

Cheesebiscuit is spot on in her neighbourhood descriptions and renting advice.

I live in Ealing too, although I live in the triangle made by Ealing Common, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations and all are within easy walking distance. This is also a great place for driving options as the A4, M4, M40, and North Circular are all close by.

Cheesebiscuit is spot on in her neighbourhood descriptions and renting advice.

Hey neighbour!

Hiya! 

Hubby and I are staying in Ealing during our holiday next month.  Can't wait as Ealing is one of the areas we want to check out as a prospective place to live.   

Cheesebiscuit, thank you so much!! Extremely helpful. I'll be there for a week 26th Nov to flat hunt and will come prepared to commandeer a rental! I see I've been approaching this at a typical leisurely American pace... It's no wonder I get little to no response from leasing agents/landlords.   

Basically London rentals are cut throat. A flat or house will normally go on the first viewing, we were the first people to see our flat and our last flat and the flat before.

So true.  I have found all of my flats either at first viewing or those that were off market and I knew by word of mouth.  I hadn't realised until you mentioned it as well.

What kind of rents could we expect to pay in Ealing, or Walpole Park, somewhere a short walk to the tube/train, for a 1 bdr flat?

What kind of rents could we expect to pay in Ealing, or Walpole Park, somewhere a short walk to the tube/train, for a 1 bdr flat?

I pay £935 a month for a 1bed flat about 5-10 minutes walk from Ealing Common tube station. It's quite large and a garden flat (has a great kitchen but no bath) but to be fair most of the flats we saw were in the £850-£1100 range and just varied in niceness.

This is less than we paid for a studio in hammersmith and a  TINY one bed in Tower Hill.

hmm ours looks a bit bargainous as rents have gone up a bit -

http://www.gumtree.com/london/95/67156895.html  -£975

http://www.gumtree.com/london/38/66370838.html - £1625

http://www.gumtree.com/london/34/66547634.html - £1000

http://www.gumtree.com/london/38/67156338.html - £1096

No bath?  Does it have a shared bath?  I am confused . . . 
Yes, it looks like you are getting a bargain.  I checked out some prices and they all look a little higher than that, and certainly higher than what we pay currently in South London.  May have to wait awhile until I can work full time next year after my PSWV is sorted.  But it seems like a really good area to be in.

No bath?  Does it have a shared bath?  I am confused . . . 
Yes, it looks like you are getting a bargain.  I checked out some prices and they all look a little higher than that, and certainly higher than what we pay currently in South London.  May have to wait awhile until I can work full time next year after my PSWV is sorted.  But it seems like a really good area to be in.

Literally no bath    (I'm English - sorry for the ambiguity)

i.e it has a big bathroom but for some reason there's no bath, just a shower (etc)

It's fine as I prefer showers but would like a soak in a tub every now and then

Thanks again for the advice. After almost giving up on finding anything, I lucked out and found the perfect place. It's a lovely flat right near the common. It's a quiet area 10 minutes from the tube and shops  After leaving the agents office, I spent the rest of the afternoon in Ealing Broadway. The shops are fantastic! I'm so excited!! Now I have to furnish it. IKEA here I come!

Well done and welcome to the neighbourhood.

Congrats on the flat!