If you live in Wimbledon do you dislike living there when Wimbledon is on?

[Americam]

Just wondering.

I’m guessing it must be significantly busier. Are driveways constantly parked across? Is there litter everywhere? Queues in the Co-op?

Ohh this makes me so nostalgic.
DH and I lived there for about 12 years .. renting then bought a house , got married and had our two DC . We absolutely loved Wimbledon fortnight.
We loved the atmosphere in the pubs , the queue in the park, we saw players in the bars etc. We managed to get to the courts ourselves many times.. even if you aren't a tennis fan I really don't think there would be too much to get upset about . It's only two weeks anyway.

We live near Cheltenham now and people moan about the races . It's only for a short time !

It does sound like a lovely atmosphere. Maybe I’ll give up on my search for an American man (different thread!) and move to Wimbledon instead!

@Americam how about being married to the American man whilst living in Wimbledon, absolute dream

Lot of Americans at Wimbledon. 2 birds 1 stone

[quote captainprincess]@Americam how about being married to the American man whilst living in Wimbledon, absolute dream [/quote]
Solved!

@CliffsofMohair

Lot of Americans at Wimbledon. 2 birds 1 stone

Also solved :)

I grew up in wimbledon village and my parents still live there now. Most years they rent out their spare bedrooms to visitors- usually physios or media people. Lots of the surrounding houses are rented out to players- one year steffi Graf was next door- she signed my tennis racquet cover! I was well chuffed!

Yes the parking is a pain and the restaurants are all busy but it is a lovely atmosphere most of the time.

I used to live in Southfields and would rent out my parking space for about £250 a week, which was nice!

Also good for queueing for tickets overnight and being able to pop home for a shower quickly (while someone else guarded the tent) before you go into the ground.

Atta.. Yes, I live in Cornwall in a seaside village.. It's usually a pain for 6 weeks but this year it's been heaving non stop since Easter...

My ILs lived on Wimbledon park road in the early 90s.
My memories are of no parking on the road for 2 weeks ( squeezing onto the driveway) , lots of shuttle buses and people walking past.
Also going to Raquettes (sp?) in Wimbledon village in the hope of spotting a famous face.

By contrast we lived on the London Marathon course. Cue no nearby parking for 24 hours, lots of discarded t shirts and plastic bottles, and runners pissing opposite our house.

I use to live in Wimbledon. I always enjoyed the buzz when the tennis was on and the shops doing tennis themed displays. Morrisons changed its name to Murrisons . It was busy in the village, I tended to avoid it in the evening, but otherwise it was fine and I saw a few celebs around.

The other good thing with being local was that I could turn up after work and get the cheap resale tickets and then walk home afterwards

Yes, annoying.

But it brings a lot of money into the area and a cool vibe, so it is worth it. Plus the tennis itself, of course.

I used to live near Wimbledon as a child/teen/young adult. I used to drink at Volleys. I’ve forgotten a lot of nights there in the 80’s. 😉

Not Wimbledon but I used to live near to a station you get off to go to Twickenham and that was equal parts fun and awful. The rugby crowd is a bit livelier than tennis I think, lots of locals would make the most of it by setting up drinks / snack stalls in their front gardens or charging for the loo.

I have friends who live in Notting Hill who go on holiday for the carnival each year as they say that is really quite rowdy.

I've lived in Henley in Regatta Week, and just round the corner from Reading Festival , personally I love the buzz and atmosphere when big events are on, and there's lots of opportunity for people watching, it more than makes up for the queues. Henley was fine as the trains ran on time and were empty going my way too.

Grew up on Southfields and parents still live there. Loved it as a teen- sister and I used to fill a cool bag with ice lollies and sell them to the queues, or flasks of coffee. Went down in the evenings when tourists are going back to hotels and get free seat tickets- saw all the big names in the 80s. Even rented out my parent's driveway for parking when they were away! We now resent the fact that you can't go in and out and pass on tickets- my mum loves going but doesn't want to go all day but can't come out and pass her ticket on to another family member. No ticket perks for locals either.

I loved growing up there but was less enthused when my car got towed. I went to Southfields College and parked outside as usual in the morning, no restrictions. Came out after lectures to find all the signs up and my car gone. Took hours to get the police to find it. Still don't live far away and I love seeing the Wimbledon cars start to appear in June.

[quote hilbil21]@Marylou62 Random question. Family going to Falmouth area next week. Is it unbearably busy? [/quote]
My advice would be to go on a sunny day! Most people go to the beach then so can be quiet.. If over cast/rain, it's 'let's go Falmouth /Truro/Heligan'!
Also, go early.. Most of the traffic is around 10am onwards.. People on holiday tend to chill in the morning.. We don't go anywhere unless we set off 9am ish..
Because people aren't in Barbados/Caribbean they are in Falmouth /Rock/Padstow... Yes it's packed but still OK.. We had a lovely day there only last week.. Fish and chips on the harbour front and a huge double scoop of Kelly's ice-cream with flake... You have to book many restaurants so don't expect to just walk in.. There is a park and boat ride in Penryn.. Expensive but great to avoid traffic..
But most of all enjoy.. Cornwall is wonderful and most of us really love sharing it with others... Even if it can be exasperating at times..

Thank you @Marylou62 much appreciated