I moved here nearly 25 years ago and have stayed even though I have had jobs all over north London, south east and west London, and Dorking which has meant long and often difficult commutes, but I never once seriously thought of moving as a result.

Whats good for me is an eclectic mix of people and properties,and a nice suburban ( without being boring ) community feel which I felt from the start. I never expected this of London before I moved here. There is a good mix of native Londoners, immigrant communities and migrant workers so as to provide a balance. There are just about the right number of shops and restaurants to avoid getting bored, but the fact that it isn't a real hot buzzing centre ie East Dulwich, Brixton, the Angel, etc is actually personally appealing to me as I know I can get a good nights rest here and shoot off either to central London or Brighton as required on a whim. There are lots of things to do with and for small children if thats your main priority. If you want real 24 hour excitement , bars and clubs all the time its probably not for you but if you want somewhere with good links to central London but otherwise a green and leafy place to live, then you will be happy here. Occasionally I have considered other places ie Beckenham, East Dulwich, etc but ultimately I don't think I could live anywhere so geographically flat and boring, Beckenham in particular. The hills round here can be hard work but they will keep you fit and the views will always take you by surprise as the seasons change.

As you will probably read elsewhere on the thread, transport links are having a few challenges at the moment but thats pretty common throughout London anyway.

So, when are you moving in!