Looking to Let in London
 

We may be moving to London. Still reviewing the offer from my husband's firm, doing research, etc. I was hoping the resident UK experts here on Fodors could advise. The firm is offering to pay for housing up to 4000 pounds per month. Realistically my family of 5 would need a 4-bedroom flat/mews/house (or a 3-bedroom with a study or a 3-bedroom with two receptions) a minimum of 1500 s/f (that will be tight!). We would like to be in cental London (hopefully tube zone 1, but maybe zone 2 would be okay). Office is on the Central line at Moorgate. So my main question is, is 4000 pounds per month really enough for a decent 4-bed flat in a nice neighborhood in central London? We've lived in London twice on a short-term basis, but this would be a 2 or 3-year gig. Thanks!

So my main question is, is 4000 pounds per month really enough for a decent 4-bed flat in a nice neighborhood in central London?>>>>

Yes. Probably not in Chelsea or Kensington but plenty of other places.

This site will give you some ideas:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/browse/london/central-london

You can also use upmystreet.com. I put in your requirements and found some interesting properties. I found a house between the Blackfriars and Monument tube stations. Not a direct route to Moorgate but I would make my husband make a transfer to live in it! Here is the description
4 bedrooms
2 reception rooms
4 bathrooms (3 en suite)
Roof terrace
2 private parking spaces

Unfurnished

DESCRIPTION:
Unique family house of historical significance that has been refurbished to an exacting standard and boasts a stunning City location.

ACCOMMODATION:
4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (3 en suite), separate kitchen, 2 reception rooms, roof terrace, private front garden, 2 private parking spaces

I would definitely think you would find something. Good luck!

If you want to browse, try www.foxtons.com, www.primemove.com, or just google around for various letting companies. Many have extensive photos, floorplans, maps, etc. and you can search with a price criteria and see what comes up. We moved here with my husband's company last year. We didn't need quite so big of accomodations so we have about a 1000 sq ft two bedroom for just a little less than what your company has proposed and it is in Kensington or Chelsea. (And most importantly note that rentals are quoted per week and there are 52 weeks in a year, so be careful and don't just divide your monthly number by 4 or you will be a bit short.) A couple of areas we have had a chance to explore and liked, especially if you are a family (we don't have children), are Richmond (SW on the river) and Primrose Hill (just north of London Zoo). I believe there are many fine areas and not just the traditional ex pat neighborhoods. London is huge and there are many choices. Don't get discouraged. If you want to take this discussion off line you can email me at lpetersen3 at sbcglobal dot com.

Thanks for the replies. I've taken to the search sites. I'm somewhat comforted by what I'm seeing in our price range. We could afford to go over the monthly 4000 pounds two or three hundred pounds if we had to, so not too worried about sticking to a hard a fast 4000 pounds. We also need to consider school locations and transport there in connection with choosing a location of residence. Lots of moving parts to this decision, and yes, I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm at least glad we've spent a good amount of time there before. We lived in Kensington last time and the time before that in Bayswater and liked both. I wasn't aware there were "traditional expat" neighborhoods in London. I'm seeing places in our range in Marlebone, which I don't know a lot about, but looks rather handy to Moorgate. Thanks so much for helping me sort this through.

The more research I do the more I realize how central selecting a school for my children will be to our relocation plans. Above all else this overwhelms me. We would be moving in late July and this fall our two older children would be in the 3rd grade and kindergarten. Firm has included school tuition in expat package, so cost of schooling is not an issue (thank goodness!). It seems we need to find the best school before we look for housing as that might dictate where we'd want to live as much as where my husband's office is located. I know very little about the schooling offerings in London. I suppose there are American private institutions as well as UK state schools and UK private schools, correct? Do these schools have admissions requirements? That concerns me. My 2nd grader is a bright, eager child, excellent reader/writer, but does struggle a little in math. How hard are schools to get into? I suppose we'd need to make the school selection before we arrive. Firm has then given us short-term housing accommodation to let us search for our new residence when we arrive in the summer. Lots to consider!

Go to UpMyStreet http://www.upmystreet.com/

You can find information about neighbourhoods including schools.

For school reports, go to Ofsted
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/
and for school performance tables go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/