Any Highgate / crouch end buffs out there?

[turtifrutti]

Who can help with a location question?

I'm not too far from there (can't afford to live there) so might be able to help.

Oh thank you! We're hoping to rent a small flat just off Shepard's Hill ( on Wolsey road). Obviously seems lovely, but just want a bit of insider knowledge. Don't know the area well myself as we're moving from Manchester and a friend recommended it. We have one reception aged child who we'll have to apply for schools for in January.

Lovely location right near Highgate woods. No idea about schools if you’re going state but can’t imagine any school in Highgate will be bad.

It's very geared up for families around there and plenty of amenities without being too far out. Crouch End doesn't have a tube or train station, there are buses which can get you to the tube. Am not sure how far the walk is to Highgate station.
Schools are popular which does mean they are oversubscribed-have a look on the Haringey council website and they will have the cut off distance for local schools which does vary each year. Coleridge is a well regarded one. You can apply to neighbouring borough schools too.
Ok maybe not the most helpful but hopefully someone may have better knowledge of the area.

Definitely helpful so far thank you! The schools thing is a bit worrying. Does anyone know what the likelihood of getting into a local school is?

Nice area, by north London standards, definitely more Crouch End than Highgate.

The thing that would put me off would be the 15 minute walk to the nearest station, Highgate. There's only one bus, the W5, but that's not door to door and due to the infrequency of the service you'll frequently find it faster to walk than wait for the bus.

Which station(s) will you be commuting to - are they on the northern line? My preference would always be to have a commute that didn't require me to change lines.

FYI, note the difference between Highgate Village (v pricey) and the area around Highgate station (slightly more affordable, still with some useful shops along Archway Road). They're about a 10 min walk from each other.

No idea about schools I'm afraid

Lovely area for kids. Search on Haringey website the schools -Coleridge is probably the closest then Rokesley (Muswell Hill primary is further away. The website shows how far the furthest admission lived from the school - I'd think you'd be alright for Coleridge. They are pretty in demand schools though so I'm not sure about in Year transfers - there would be waiting lists.

Transport is an issue but we all do it! A 15 minute walk to Highgate or go down to Crouch End and get the W7 to Finsbury Park ( that would only be a 5-10 minute walk to get the bus). It's around 15-20 minutes to Finsbury Park which is on the Victoria and Piccadilly lines - 2 stops from Kings Cross.

I think it's a great place to live with family - Highgate Woods, Parkland walk, Priory Park, Park Road swimming pool, Picturehouse cinema and lots of nice pubs and cafes. The Kings Head has music and a well known comedy club. What's not to like?

Thanks so much for the informtion. I'm slightly worried that it might fall into a bit of a primary school black hole. I looked at the harringay school last admission. And we might have been in Coleridge for the last two years, but not the previous 5. Locrating says the house is outside of rokesley and ash mount, but inside Whitehall Park school. However my friend said something about funding for Whitehall Park school being cut because admissions are down.

Is anyone able to advise on this?

I think there was a peak of admissions in primary shools a few years ago hence the bigger cut off for Coleridge.
Sadly funding is being cut for all schools not just Whitehall Park. Whitehall Park is a free school which opened in 2014 so the current year 4s are the oldest. I know someone with 2 DC there and they are happy and doing well. It has brand new buildings which opened last year I think. The uniform is a little OTT for my liking mind!

This is really helpful. Thank you.