Where to live near Heathrow?

iwanna

Hey, congrats on your new job. Can you say where in LHR you'll be working?
I work there and have done since my first grad job 15 years ago. I've moved about a little bit.
Started in Kingston - loved the town (great shopping & young demographics) but found the bus trip to LHR a real drag - though there is a faster express bus service now so mightn't be as bad.
Moved to Langely, a bit of a non-descript area fancies itself as a village, but okay if you fancy the quiet life.
Moved to Slough really horrible place, hated and never admitted to living there. Moved quickly after getting attacked on my way home from the station.
Whilst renting in all the above I spent a fair bit of my social time in and around Ealing which I really liked. When I decided it was time to buy I couldn't afford Ealing itself so bought in Northfields - fab little spot, lots of nice litte restaurants a few nice pubs, delis and gift shops. Nice walking distance to Ealing and the all important Piccadilly line which is great for LHR and heading up town.
We moved from Northfields to South Ealing, literally a 5 min walk away, it's just as convenient for the tube etc but not as nice an area that it used to be - though as I now drive to work its so handy onto A4 or M4, generally 25 minute commute door to door.
Am about to move again (just realising what a gypsy I am!), a lot closer to the airport but since I know nothing of that area yet I shan't comment on it yet.

If I were a young grad starting work at LHR, knowing what I know now I'd look towards Northfields as its a nice area in its on right with all amenities close at hand and an easy trip to work by car or tube and into the West End - after all you're only young and it'd be a shame to be so close to London and not live it to the full !

Dunno if my wander down memory lane will be of any interest but feel free to ask if you want any more details

geri1965_2

My sister lives in Ashford, near Staines, which seems pretty nice.

Kirri

iwanna wrote: »

Started in Kingston - loved the town (great shopping & young demographics) but found the bus trip to LHR a real drag - though there is a faster express bus service now so mightn't be as bad.

The X26? It was standing room only even from 7.30 am ish when I've been on it. Handy bus though but always SO busy as it's not that frequent in comparison to other buses.

I like Kingston though (never liked Ealing myself).

Errata

30 minutes drive is a distance of about 3 miles
Do you want to be under the flightpath, or not?

iwanna

Kirri wrote: »

The X26? It was standing room only even from 7.30 am ish when I've been on it. Handy bus though but always SO busy as it's not that frequent in comparison to other buses.

I like Kingston though (never liked Ealing myself).

Yeah X26 that's the one, not good if its that busy.
Shame you don't like Ealing, I've become quite fond of it over the years.

Cissi

I'm in the Kingston/Teddington/Twickenham area myself and love it here - lots of green spaces, great shopping, restaurants, schools etc - but realistically this is going to be too expensive for you at first and also quite a long commute. It's great for us as DH travels a lot for work and Heathrow isn't too far by taxi at 6 am - but I'd hate to do it every day by bus (and forget driving)!

To start with I think I'd look at Feltham - some decent areas with quite a lot of greenery and access to decent shops & nightlife. I run a small business and several of the girls working for me live there with their BFs/families and have a very decent quality of life. Sure, if you stay in the area long enough to start a family and progress well in your job, then do look at Twickenham etc, but at this stage I think it would be a stretch (and not necessary as long as you don't need great schools).

Cissi

Errata wrote: »

Do you want to be under the flightpath, or not?

Good point! When we first arrived here we were in North-East Twickenham and directly on the flightpath - passengers were waving at us in the garden, seriously, and whenever we flew into Heathrow we'd play "spot our house" - but moving just a couple of miles further South meant that we now hardly hear/see any planes, and when we do, they're too far to bother us. Honestly though, they stop bothering you VERY quickly!

Ellie007

Another vote for Ashford, it seems quite nice and almost 'villagey' or as close as you'll get around there. IMHO, do not touch West Drayton, Hayes, Harlington and proximity with a very long stick. Horrible.

Errata

Cissi wrote: »

Good point! When we first arrived here we were in North-East Twickenham and directly on the flightpath - passengers were waving at us in the garden, seriously, and whenever we flew into Heathrow we'd play "spot our house" - but moving just a couple of miles further South meant that we now hardly hear/see any planes, and when we do, they're too far to bother us. Honestly though, they stop bothering you VERY quickly!

True, but the stink of aviation fuel tends to linger in the garden.

Kirri

Errata wrote: »

True, but the stink of aviation fuel tends to linger in the garden.

Can't say I ever noticed that, if anything the bodies falling out was more of an issue.. can't say the plane noise was too much of an issue.

Cissi - Feltham is chav central, guess it depends how fussy the OP is or what sort of place they are coming from, but could be a shock to the system. Granted it's good for cheap shops but I wouldn't recommend it.