Good luck getting into CofE school. We lived next to the best one but had to go private as lottery/waitlist. Top private but still a lot more$. No regrets.

Also where will you live? Some parts of London aren’t London let’s be honest.

God, yes.

This is OP, thanks again for the replies.

Our biggest hesitation is schooling. It seems really confusing to me and not sure how we would begin to look for schools. We're Episcopalian so open to CofE schools which would probably be our preference. On the off chance anyone here knows what they're talking about- does anyone have suggestions for London schools for rising 1st and K kids?

My father was a diplomat and growing up, we moved every four years to different countries. While there was some adjusting (especially to non English speaking countries), I look back and think how lucky I was to have experienced so many different countries and cultures. It has created a great love of travel and to learn more about the world. While neither DH nor I have jobs that would move us overseas, we travel when we can afford it and our DS7 is now also eager to learn more about the rest of the world. Just my two cents.

Heck yeah. Take me with you.

No way

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of fantasizing about moving abroad to escape the election results. The reality is that right wing populists are being elected across Western Europe. That’s not currently the case in the UK, but I wouldn’t count on it remaining that way. So I wouldn’t move abroad just for that reason. But if you are interested in experiencing life abroad, and you are feeling like taking that chance, I think it could be a great experience.

This is true. But America will always have more gun violence, so that’s another reason to move.

The UK will never roll back abortion or gay marriage. The particular brand of Christian nationalism doesn't and will never exist over there.

Anonymous wrote:I see a lot of fantasizing about moving abroad to escape the election results. The reality is that right wing populists are being elected across Western Europe. That’s not currently the case in the UK, but I wouldn’t count on it remaining that way. So I wouldn’t move abroad just for that reason. But if you are interested in experiencing life abroad, and you are feeling like taking that chance, I think it could be a great experience.

This is true. But America will always have more gun violence, so that’s another reason to move.

I lived in London for a few years with my Commonwealth (not British) spouse pre-kids and it was incredible. I now have 3 ES kids and I fantasize about being able to move back there with them for a few years. We have lots of friends still there, so slightly differently situated than you possibly. Make sure you figure out your schooling plans -- it can be very tricky at non-entry years.

I have lived in London for 25 years and DC for 25 years in total, going back and forth quite often for various reasons.

There are a lot of trade-offs (though I disagree with one of the PPs about what those trade-offs are - I think the education system tends to be better there, and I encountered a lot less racism and anti-Semitism there than here). But essentially if you are willing to embrace the differences and don’t feel the need to try to replicate your US lifestyle there (hint: it would be impossibly expensive to do so), then I would go for it. Personally I think kids get a great deal out of experiencing two different cultures. The adjustment can be very challenging though.

I would do it, especially with young kids. As other PPs have said, they have beautiful parks and playgrounds and it is lovely if you're in a nice area. My friend went for a work stint for a few years, had 2 babies and then came back to work in the US. Definitely loved their time there (we visited when they were there and they lived in a beautiful flat near Kensington Gardens). Good luck!

Yes absolutely. We moved to London with a one year old and my younger child was born there. We lived there for 5 years and I was so sad to leave. We have very fond memories and go back to visit often.

Absolutely! We3 made the move to Europe with our children when they were in elementary school. Not London, but another major city. Best decision we ever made! We stayed five years and have been back in the US for five years now. Memories, friends, experiences will last forever!

Only if I had the money! It’s ££££ there.

Fantastic music and theater.