Area between New Barnet and High Barnet (EN5 postcode)

[newhousenewhome]

Dear Mumsnetters,

I hope I can tap your extensive knowledge.

I have seen a house I like very much in EN5 and would like to buy.
However, I don't know the area at all. I have children who will be starting primary in 2 years time.
The house is really quite expensive (£1m+) although the prices paid in the area are normally much lower than that.

It is a case of best house in worst street.

What do you think of the area? I am not originally from the UK, although I have lived here for many years in much more central locations (renting), think very prime NW London zone 2 areas.

Please let me know if it is worth pursuing it or whether it is better to buy something much smaller in more central locations (say NW5, n19). I might not be able to buy a house at all in those locations, so it would have to be a flat/maisonette.

Thanks a lot and hope to get lots of comments/suggestions :-)

[newhousenewhome]

bump. Please help me make a decision. Thanks.

[cestlavielife]

depends what you want - suburban with long commute to central london or not? central location easy taxi ride form west end? access to countryside? what is your priority? where do you work? what tube will you use to get there? etcetc.
buy the best you can afford on the best street...

[wowfudge]

Standard advice is to buy worst house on best street if you want to increase the value of your investment - that is especially the case if you improve the place.

Is the street likely to go up or down? Do house and gardens look cared for and looked after? If it's on the up maybe it's worth the gamble.

It depends how long you think you might stay, but logically would you pay top dollar for an amazing house on a crappy street where it stands out as the only one of it's kind or would you pay a bit more to be on a street of similar houses, probably with like-minded owners?

[Northernlurker]

Look very carefully at the schools. Are you SURE you'll get in where you'd want to be? I have friends in that area and they couldn't. They lived close to more than one school they would accept and were offered one a considerable distance away that was unacceptable to them.

[newhousenewhome]

Thanks a lot, we are practising Catholics and there is a Catholic school in the area, so we should be covered on the primary school front.

Do you know if the area is international or very British? I don't want to feel a foreigner. In Hampstead, I feel I am living in an international area and don't feel "different" Basically, my ideal is a quiet area, but with facilities not too far away.

I work in Mansion House, so I was thinking train from new Barnet and then circle line.

Maybe it is a non-starter. For that price, you can get a 2 bedroom in Hampstead or a very small 3-bed house in Kentish Town in need of modernisation.

I really don't know how we are ever going to buy a house.

But thanks for all your help.

[newhousenewhome]

I meant practicing, not practising. Spelling mistakes in every language I speak give me a terrible stomach ache. Sorry.

[cestlavielife]

With 1m I would get a nice flat with outside space in nw3 nw6 or nw5.for cosmopolitan living... Or look at queens park. If you like hampstead don't go to en5 ! Its Much further away... or try east finchley...