Forum Topic

Tiring of living here

I run my own business in Chiswick and live at Ferry Quys but I must now say that I am tiring of living here because:1. I have been targeted by LBH over CT on 4 occassions and with the help of Coucnillor  Harmer have won them all.2. The constant road works between FQ and the foot of Kew Bridge means that it can take me up to 40 minutes to get into the centre of Chiswick ON A BUS.3. The failure of the lifts at FQ (One lift failed in July and the other about a month ago.) So it is up 6 flights of stairs for me.4. High CT charges (1700 for a small two bed flat).5. A bus service where ignoramuses put their feet on seats. Verbally abuse passengers.6. A bus service that while waiting outside Brentford County Court it is not uncommon for the bus not to stop to pick up passengers at 7.10am in the morning becuase they are already overloaded.Is this what life has really become?No wonder we go mad over sporting events like the World Rugby final as it provides escapism for a whileDoes anyone know a nice place to live?

Steve Bonnici ● 6489d15 Comments

I re-read my comment after I posted it and I realised that it could come across badly. I only wanted to say that there is at least one, if not more, good schools in Barnes, albeit private. I'm glad you didn't take my comment the wrong way. I'm glad things worked out for you and your family with your move. You're right, there are some very good schools round here too.Now all we need is the High Street redevelopment plan to create a nice village atmosphere! Maybe then Brentford should be rebranded "Brentford-upon-Thames" ?!

James de Vivenot ● 6486d

Indeed I meant 'State'secondary schools. Lots of the Barnes people send their boys to Kings College Wimbledon too.We did think about Putney Girls which is a bit cheaper but still not an option for me. As it happens Isleworth did EXCEPTIONALLY well at the Green School for Girls (our choice) and Gumley House and mighty proud I am that we did so well here. I am glad we made the move as if we'd stayed in Barnes I'd be happy to have the nice village green and atmosphere but I'd be 'broke' which would have made me miserable!

Steve Taylor ● 6486d

i refer the thread to my previous comment.

Jamie Halliday ● 6486d

Steve,You say that there isn't a good secondary school in Barnes. However St Paul's is one of the best in the country. According to Wikipedia:"In 2005, St Paul's obtained (for the second year running) the best overall placing in the GCSE exam league tables published nationally, and was also the leading boys school in the A level results tables. 60% of its leavers went to Oxford and Cambridge, which was also the highest proportion achieved by any boys' school in the country. In 2007, the 2005 record was matched again, with 62 leavers receiving offers from Oxford and Cambridge".I believe what you meant to say is state secondary school.

James de Vivenot ● 6486d

Morning Steve and other forum members.  I had a chuckle with your response."Have a great day mate"

Joan Perry ● 6486d

I agree, the area around the the green is very village like.

Neil Chippendale ● 6486d

Barnes indeed has buses and is on the flight path and it can be noisy but its close to Hammersmith Bridge with quick easy access to London central. No tube station but a good rail link to Waterloo.  Not perhaps the perfect 'Village' if you are looking for a Devon or Cornish village but a village it is and its green and lush. More of a village atmosphere than New York's Greenwich 'Village'  I lived in Barnes for 9 years and knew all my neighbours, found them to be very decent and friendly. Good eateries and friendly pubs. I rarely had a parking problem there either but I am open to correction because I moved from there some 7 years ago purely because there isn't a good secondary school although Barnes Primary School is excellent.

Steve Taylor ● 6486d

barnes is a lovely place. for those earning significantly more than the national average...and have you ever actually tried parking there?

Jamie Halliday ● 6487d

Makes me hoot with laughter when someone describes anywhere in London as 'like a village'.Apart from the traffic,the amount of people,the ambient noise,the fact that you probably don't know who your neighbour is,the buses(villages don't get many),the fact that few people have any time for anyone else and the detritis on the streets and the late night shops and noise,yeah,,,it's just like a village!

Keith Iddon ● 6487d

Joan! thats very kind of you to invite me? I dont even know you! Let me check my diary.

Steve Bonnici ● 6487d

I know a nice quiet place to live - Adelaide, South Australia. Winters not cold, warm to hot summers, clean beaches only 20 minutes from the city.  We do have problems, but the lifestyle is very laid back.  I miss the UK but wouldn't move back there.  If you want the fast life then it's Sydney, Australia you want.  Come for a holiday.

Joan Perry ● 6487d

Barnes is very much like a village.

Neil Chippendale ● 6487d

Never been to Barnes - made it to Hayes a few times.  What is nice about Barnes?  ...  ...  ... ;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6488d

"Does anyone know a nice place to live?"Barnes

Steve Taylor ● 6488d

"Does anyone know a nice place to live?"Barnes

Steve Taylor ● 6488d

Chin up Steve it can only get worse when our Ken gets elected again.

Mick OBrien ● 6489d