On this page
Who lives in Richmond
Richmond upon Thames is the green south west corner of London, a borough of riverside villages, Georgian streets and the vast open space of Richmond Park. It attracts families, professionals and a large international community drawn by the combination of space, schools and a calmer pace within easy reach of the city. The area feels more like a series of well kept towns than inner London, with Richmond, Petersham, Kew, East Sheen and neighbouring Barnes each having their own character. Expat families settle here for the greenery, the river and the strength of both state and independent schooling, accepting higher housing costs in return. The presence of an established German speaking community around the German School London, along with other internationally mobile families, gives parts of the borough a genuinely international feel. To see how Richmond fits into the wider capital, start with our international schools in London directory.
Schools in and near Richmond
The international anchor of the borough is the German School London, an independent school in Petersham founded in 1971 and set on a park-like site between Richmond Park and the River Thames. It teaches the German curriculum alongside English elements for several hundred pupils from kindergarten to upper secondary, with students able to graduate with the German International Abitur and IB options, which makes it a natural choice for German speaking and internationally mobile families who want continuity across moves. Beyond it, the borough and the neighbouring areas of Barnes and Kew add a strong set of independent and preparatory schools, while London’s central international campuses are within reach by rail for families who want a different curriculum. Treat these as the options families in the area actually use rather than a ranking, and confirm current programmes and admissions directly with each school.
For the full list with curricula, stages and admissions detail, use the London schools directory, then narrow by stage with our guide to primary schools in London. To plan the budget, see our banded London primary school fees guide, and read London school reviews from parents for first hand perspectives. If you are weighing curricula or schools, the school finder quiz will shortlist options based on your child’s needs.
Commute and catchment
State schools in England admit largely by catchment and published admissions criteria, so the address can matter for the local maintained schools, while international and independent schools such as the German School London admit by application regardless of where you live. For commuting, Richmond is unusually well connected for an outer borough. The station is served by the District line, London Overground and South Western Railway into Waterloo, giving a fast route to central London, and bus routes cover the local villages and Richmond Park gates. Many families manage without a car, using rail and bus for work and school, though a car helps for the park, weekend trips and some school runs. Plan around the morning peaks into Waterloo, and factor travel time into your shortlist when comparing schools across the city.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Richmond is among the most desirable, and most expensive, in London, with period terraces and family houses near the river and the park commanding high prices and rents, alongside flats and newer riverside developments. The borough’s green setting and schools keep demand strong, so families typically pay a premium for space here compared with many inner districts. When you add international or independent school fees and daily costs, Richmond is a significant family budget, so it pays to model the full picture before committing. Work through housing, schooling, transport and daily costs with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider London relocation guide for visas, healthcare and the practicalities of settling in. Treat any specific figure you see as indicative, since the market moves, and verify current prices before you budget.
Family life
Daily life in Richmond is shaped by green space and the river. Richmond Park, the largest of London’s royal parks with its roaming deer and cycling routes, sits on the doorstep, Kew Gardens is close by, and the Thames towpath links a chain of riverside pubs, rowing clubs and walks. Richmond town centre offers shops, cafes, a theatre and a riverside that fills with families in summer, while the surrounding villages each bring their own greens, schools and community life. Healthcare and everyday services are strong, and the area is safe and family oriented. It is leafy, well connected and built for family life, which is why so many international families choose the south west when they move to London.
Budget your move to Richmond
Model house or flat costs, school fees and transport together before you commit to the area.
Open the relocation cost calculatorLiving in Richmond: FAQ
Richmond upon Thames is home to the German School London, an independent bilingual school in Petersham that teaches the German curriculum alongside English elements and offers the German International Abitur with IB options, on a park-like site between Richmond Park and the River Thames. The wider borough and neighbouring Barnes and Kew add further international and independent options, and central London international schools are reachable by rail. Admission is by application to each school rather than by catchment.
Richmond is one of London’s most popular areas for expat families because it combines large green spaces, the River Thames, good schools and a village feel with a fast rail link to central London. It suits families who want greenery and space over inner city density. The trade-offs are high house prices and rents, and a commute that, while quick by train, is from the south west edge of the city.
No. Richmond is well served by the District line, London Overground and South Western Railway into Waterloo, plus extensive bus routes, so many families manage without a car. A car can be useful for the school run and for reaching Richmond Park and out of town trips, but day to day life and commuting are easily done on public transport.
Richmond is one of the more expensive parts of London, with period houses near the river and the park commanding high prices and rents. Add international or independent school fees and the family budget rises further, so model housing, schooling and daily costs together with the relocation cost calculator before you commit to the area.
Family life in Richmond is built around green space and the river. Richmond Park, with its deer and cycling, Kew Gardens nearby, and the Thames towpath give families room to roam, while Richmond town centre offers shops, cafes, a theatre and a riverside that comes alive in summer. It is leafy, family oriented and well connected, which is why so many international families settle in the south west.