What is it like to live in Barnet?

[Crouchendmumoftwo]

Hello there,

Im Bridget, I have a toddler and a baby and grew up in Crouch End and now live in Finsbury Park.

We are looking at moving to Barnet because it looks nice (High Barnet and Hadley Wood), the schools are supposed to be good, we could get a bigger place and its still London.

However Ive only driven into it a couple of times and wanted to ask some locals a few questions so if you have some time Id appreciate your feedback.

Is there much of a community and much to do with little ones, we have lots of drop ins and things to do in Finsbury Park and parks. Are there many parks?

Is it safe. Is there much mugging, house break ins and do you feel safe walking around day and night. Are there any gangs and gang violence?

Which are the good nurseries and school, are they all good.

Which are the nicest roads and parts of Barnet, Hadley Wood looked great (expensive) and High Barnet (near Dudleys) looked nice.

Would you recommend it overall?

Thanks very much indeed! You never know I might meet you one day as we are keen to move soon.

Bridget xxxx

[CaurnieBred]

I like Barnet - have never felt unsafe walking around during the day. There is a nice park in High Barnet (Old Court House) and Victoria Park in New Barnet and Oak Hill Park in East Barnet (in the summer we go up to St Albans for the splash park in Verulamium Park).

There are a few toddler groups around but I never really went to any of them - there looks to be a really nice one now in New Barnet at St Marks.

I don't thing there are many "bad" roads around here - maybe avoid the "rat runs": New Barnet: Gloucester Road, King Edward's Road, and the three road (Hadley, Woodville and Clifford) going up to Hadley Common).
High Barnet: Hillside Gardens, Manor Road, The Avenue, Alston Road.

Schools - I think most primaries have good reputations/Ofsted or are improving. Very full classes though this year. Secondary - QE Boys (Grammar), QE Girls (comp) and East Barnet (comp) all have good names. I don't know about school nurseries as DD went to a daycare nursery (HeadStart in New Barnet - can def recommend there though).

I love being so close to the countryside here - it is such a green area. Go to Parkside (between Hadly and Enfield) and pick your own fruit and veg. Willows Farm Village near London Colney is great for the small kids and the season ticket is worth it.

Good transport links into London/City - not just the Northern Line - the overground from New Barnet into Old Street is great and quick if you need to get to the City. Plus the Piccadilly Line isn't that far away either.

[Crouchendmumoftwo]

Thanks so much CaunieBred!

Im going to go and have a potter around and get a feel of it. I like the fact that it is on the tube line and in London and yet has access to the countryside.

Im so used to living in the inner city im scared of there being no late night shops for milk and sushi and thai takeaways and good places for coffee... we have a Dudleys in Finsbury Park!

it would be much better for my two little ones and near enough for my mum to get to.

I love Willows too, I was there last weekend. Its such a brilliant place.

The overground I didnt know about, that would be fantastic. Very exciting.

Thanks so much, very interesting.

bridgetx

[minig]

Hi there

I grew up very close to where you originate from, and moved to Barnet about 10 years ago - best move ever!!!! I cannot see us living anywhere else now, it really is the best of both worlds.

I would probably recommend you look near New Barnet where you have easy access to the overground which will take you to Hornsey station in about 10 mins and Finsbury Park in about 15 minutes - that way, if you feel the yearn for "the big smoke" again and don't fancy driving, it's easily reachable.

We live on one of the roads going up to Hadley. CaurnieBred said to try and avoid them cause of increased traffic in peak hours, but personally I don't notice any problems. The traffic might be a little increased in those times, but that doesn't bother me as it's nothing like the sort of traffic we used to encounter when living in central London. And the best thing about living on these roads is you walk up the roads and you have Hadley Woods, or King George Playing Fields - acres and acres of openland - within 5 minutes you forget that you are so close to London. We take our little boy there and he has total freedom.

For my family it's the best of both worlds - close to town for work, but close to open contryside where you can escape it all.

In fact, I have met lots of people who moved to the area and every one of them said they would never move. You will probably find that you bump in to lots of people from your current area as it seems to be the natural gravitational pull for people from Islington and Crouch End.

As for gangs, etc, I have never encountered any problems. It seems to be a calmer way of life round these parts.

Plenty of playgroups, soft play, etc where you will meet friendly people. Great schools, don't know about nurseries as my son goes to a child minder. Loads of lovely parks nearby.

The high street isn't the greatest, but it has what you need - and there are lots of good shopping places nearby.

It really is a super place to live. You won't regret it.

Good luck.

G

[Crouchendmumoftwo]

Hello G,

Thanks so much for your inspiring message.

That is just what I wanted to hear.

Ive met a mum on Babycentre who has a 2 year old who lives in Barnet and we are going to meet which will be nice.

It sounds just what Im looking for. I have to convince my husband its not too far away.

It has so much going for it.

I really appreciate you taking the time out to respond.

So appreciative.

Best wishes,

Bridget xx

It must be great as houses rarely come up (Victorian ones that is anyway!).

[bgs]

Hi

I can confirm all thathas gone before! We live in New Barnet, near the Whetstone end. Just another thought for you, there is a new big Jewish secondary school opening up in East Barnet next year, which will largely give places on catchment, a friend of mine who runs an estate agent has said that he expects prices and the desirability of the area to zoom up over the next few years, try and move before this happens!

[donnie]

we are in Whetstone and love it. V good primary schools, lots of parks, tube and overland train services, nice shops. 20 mins drive from Brent Cross, 15 mins drive from Willows farm! 25 mins on the tube into Covent gdn.

[Crouchendmumoftwo]

Thanks very much all.

We have put an offer on a house in High Barnet.

We have to sell ours though.

Fingers crossed.

Bridgetxx

[mummasita]

Barnet/Hadley Wood beautiful, wish i could afford to move out there!!

[gettingwise]

Potters bar is a great place to live just 5 mins away, and fast train to finsbury Park (9 mins ) to visit old friends.
Good schools and family orientated town!

[Tultuli]

Hi Bridget, have u moved to High Barnet yet? I am mum of a 2 yr old..and thinking of moving to High Barnet too.. Just thght of connecting with u [:-)]

[Mummywilson]

Hi All,

We will soon be moving to High Barnet from Hampstead. Do any of you know off good playgroups/soft play/music classes for toddlers. I have a 15 month old little girl.

Would be lovely to connect with mums in the area!

Sarah x

[emilysp]

Hi,
We have just moved to High Barnet from West Hampstead with our 11 month old baby and so far its been a real success. We love having more space and there is a nice park behind the Old court house and our son is starting at Woodlands day nursery next week. I have also been told about a play group at Ewans Hall on wood street at 10-11.30 which i am planning to try out next week. We love where we live and the road and neighbours have all been incredibly welcoming and friendly which is very refreshing. In general it has a great community spirit and very family orientated. I will let you know how the playgroup is next week Sarah and it would be great to meet any other mums in the area.

Emily
x

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[Karpenisou5]

Hello ladies :)
I am moving to Barnet this summer and have heard the best of things about it. Since we are moving in July, then I will be going for an-in year- admission application for my 6.5 year-old-boy. I have researched the numerous schools in the area and found about 20 state funded outstanding schools.
I tried locating them in the following areas:
-East Barnet
-Edgeware
-Finchley Church End
-East Finchley
renting will all have to depend on what vacancies we find regarding houses, but what do you think might be the safest area of these?
Has anyone been put on a waiting list for a school admission?
Thank you in advance :)

[Hannah271990]

Hi everyone! I am looking for a violin teacher for my 5 year old daughter who has just got her first violin. Has anyone got any recommendations for a teacher? I need face to face lessons at my property.

Many thanks

[SM123456]

Hi Bridget
We are also looking to move from crouch end to Barnet. Literally have the same concerns that you did 10 years ago. Was it a good move in the end?
Thanks
Sarah

[Mariagusta]

Hi everyone,

I've just put an offer on a house in Quinta Drive - does anyone know how that part of Barnet is?

I also have a 6 year old daughter who is going to year 2 in sept. would anyone recommend applying for a school now or once the sale has been fully completed? I was thinking to write to schools to ask for advice.

Also, my two year old will be 3 in Jan - do I need to apply for her nursery place now?

Thank you again and looking forward to moving to a calmer. greener area, although I will miss the convenience of living in Islington.

Thank you!

Maria