... Calm, peaceful, safe and the immediate area surrounds you with parks/green space (Richmond Park, Marble Hill Park, Cole Park and Deer Park) and the Thames river. The birdlife is thriving with sparrow, starlings, song thrush, robin redbreast, goldfinches, blackbirds, blue tits and more.
East Twickenham has numerous shops, quaint boutiques and restaurants in immediate vicinity.
There's a ferry over the river to Ham House, a spectacular tree-canopied riverside walk, adult education classes, playing fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, charming pubs, sailing, rowing, canoeing, etc.
The people are very friendly, laid back and it's a great place to raise children. The residential roads are quiet, green and leafy and there is a nice sense of community should you wish to involve yourself.
Schools are superb and consistently achieve some of the highest marks in the country.
Richmond town centre is minutes away walking distance with even greater number of shops, restaurants, pubs, farmers market, theatre, and cinema.
Transportation links are terrific with East Twickenham sandwiched between St. Margarets BR and Richmond BR and tube stop (District Line). Waterloo is 20 minutes away or Richmond tube to West End in similar time. M3, M25 and M4 connections very nearby and local bus service.
The property costs are indeed skyhigh but there was no way I was buying anywhere else. There just cannot be a better place in London.
James