What's it like living in Richmond? Post Reply

[sparkletiger]

Curious to know what peoples views of what Richmond is like as a place to live. We live in SW4 and love it. Visited Richmond today and it had a lovely feel to it. After a quick online search it looks like there are good schools too. With secondary looming I'm all for keeping our options open. So, spill the beans... what areas are linked to good schools, is Twickenham different to Richmond? What about Kingston and other places near?

[sparkletiger]

anyone?

[cazza123]

We are very happy in Richmond. However it seems that there are more kids activities in the serrounding area i.e. Sheen / Barnes / st Margaret etc. We haven't venture twickenham / teddington side but heard it's very family orientated with good schools too.
I think it depends what your priorities are but most schools in the borough are outstanding.
Hope this helps.

[Con O'Brien]

I work as the Richmond Town Centre manager and would recommend the area for its green open spaces like Richmond Park and the river. Excellent train links from Richmond train station. Twickenham is across the river from Richmond and is also in demand because of the schools. One other advantage is it is easy to drive out to the countryside on the weekends.

[CornishSeaview]

I lived in Richmond until 5 years ago when we moved to Twickenham - and obviously have enjoyed living in both places as is where I grew up and haven't moved very far. So if you have any more questions please message me and i'll be happy to help.
Much as I loved Richmond in my 20's - I prefer Twickenham now as suits me better with a young child, but still very easy to pop into richmond if I want to go clothes shopping or out for the evening. Twickenham town centre is less busy, there's a couple of great play beaches, good playgrounds and nice cafes which is what I generally use the town for these days! There's also some lovely clubs for little ones (imagination den and Tempo Tots to name a couple). I'm not sure what age your children are but both Richmond and Twickenham have outstanding primary schools - but be aware they usually have teeny tiny catchments! We don't actually qualify for our two closest primary schools as the catchment has got so small but they just opened a new one near Twickenham Green, and I believe another is being built in East Twickenham soon.
If you live in the right postcode you also qualify for the residents ballot for RFU matches at Twickenham- we got some good tickets for the World Cup from that
In terms of secondary, if you have a daughter then Waldergrave (Twickenham) is often rated one of the best in the country.
In terms of commuting, Richmond does have the tube line - lots of people get the train from Twix to Richmond and change to the tube there - and Twickenham has fast trains into Waterloo, as does Richmond, but at Twickenham you have a better chance of getting a seat!
I could waffle on about them for hours but let me know if there's anything more specific as Richmond/ Twix are my specialist area

[CornishSeaview]

Should add that I think that would be most different from SW4 is how much you can feel like you're in the countryside when so close to London. Petersham and Ham especially (those areas not so great for commuting though).
Have a walk / cycle down the tow path on a sunny day and can get a good feel for them. I recommend The White Swan in Richmond, and then The White Swan in Twickenham - both close/ by the river and a fab lazy day pub walk!