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Living in North London

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  • 03-12-2010 7:48pm
    #1
    waterford333
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14 ✭


    I'm hoping to move to North London in the New Year and currently looking at places to live on the site spareroom.co.uk.

    The one issue I have is that after ever place I research I keep on hearing, dont move there thats a dodgy area... and so on and so forth type of thing. I know every area has its bad areas but its getting to a point when its actually difficult to find a place area to live in. I looked at these areas and was warned off, Archway, Kentish Town and Finsbury Park...

    Can people on here recommend places to live in North London, obviously I want to live near a tube line for work reasons.

    Thanks


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    #2
    Fysh
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 11,054 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fysh


    One thing I've found since moving to London is every area is considered a dangerous hole by someone. I've lived in Kilburn for the last three years and have always found it a friendly and safe place, but I have friends who live in West Hampstead (which is about 5 or 10 minutes from Kilburn at most) who seem convinced that it's a war zone where you take your life into your hands every time you walk down the street. Other posters have offered similar comments about Brixton, Clapham and Peckham.

    Unfortunately a significant degree of the comments you'll receive will be personal bias and second-hand information. I'd suggest doing a bit of research on UpMyStreet to find out about the areas you're considering, and if possible give yourself a couple of options.

    Personally I've found Kilburn to be fantastic - it's excellently served for transport (buses, tubes, overground and trains), has a good mix of pubs and restaurants (including a great little cinema and theatre, and several venues with regular live music), and is reasonably affordable by London standards. I've also heard good things about North Finchley from a couple of friends who lived up there, although I don't know as much about the transport links. Camden can be a great place to live if you can afford it and the local scene suits you - it can be tiring and stressful if not, though.


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    #3
    Country lane
    Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭Country lane


    I've lived North, West and now South London and never had any bother. In North London you'll be fine and none of it i would say is a 'no go zone' (accounting for somewhere like Stonebridge being North West). Still big Irish population all over the place. If you pitch up in Finsbury park, id recommend going towards the Highbury Hill/Angel end of it, or up Stroud Green road.

    Just to give you an idea of price, I have a friend in a fantastic 5 bed house share by Arsenal's ground, and they just let a big double room for £450pm.


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    #4
    waterford333
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14 ✭waterford333


    Thanks a mil for those posts.

    Its so difficult moving over with an idea of what a place is really like, during the day it could be fine but at night it could be a different story...

    Was looking at Wood green, or the turnpike area on the piccadilly line.


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    #5
    bullsilver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5 ✭bullsilver


    You will find that the gov here have done a good job with the planning. It’s rare to find a really bad area instead what you will have is good areas interwoven with bad areas along side. As a general rule all the blocks are not great. But the north in general is a nice area. I live in Hendon and think it’s a great area and good value for money. I’m an estate agent and cover NW. out of the areas i cover Kilburn is good, Hampstead is very good, Willesden green good, Harlesden isn’t great, Neasden not great, Cricklewood is ok Queens park/ Kensal very good. That’s a bit of a summary on the area i cover. I would prob try gumtree for house shares as well. Just be careful as there are a lot of scams going over here:
    Don’t send money by western union to pay for deposits/ rent
    Try and get a car reg of any "landlord" who u give money to.

    Also the rental market here is really competitive and busy. Just pick up a copy of the evening standard and u can see that most weeks. It would be a good idea to come over with 2 written references 1 landlord and 1 work and a copy of a bank statement to prove you have the funds to support yourself.

    Having all this stuff isn’t a prerequisite but would put you in a much stronger position as a tenant. I hope this helps you


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