Anyone know White City (London)?

[Comefromaway]

Would you live there if you were a young female student with a job in the West End returning home at night after the theatres have closed?

I've read about the huge council estate and how it was really run down but depending on where you look some people say there is a lot of development and it's on the up.

I wouldn't personally, no. I used to work in that area and it isn't safe at night if you'll be walking back from the tube/bus stop alone.

She will be studying near the Latimer Road area but working in the evenings.

Personally I wouldn’t want to live there by myself. Shepherd’s Bush going up to Goldhawk Road is nearby and nicer- or notting hill but that’s super pricey!

There are some places in area between Latimer Road and Shepherds Bush station by Avondale Park & St James Gardens?

I’m afraid I don’t know it well enough to recommend specific streets but looking at the map that area looks nicer- imo the nearer to Holland Park and Notting hill the nicer it gets, I would definitely be looking in there over white city/wormwood scrubs area

Shepherd's Bush is "safer" and up Goldhawk Road way, as someone suggests. Notting Hill/Holland Park is super pricey!

If she’s not set on an area I used to live in Ravenscourt Park which is not too far away from white city and I always felt very safe walking at night.

The only stipulation is cheap, safe and with housemates who recognise that a performing arts student might sometimes need to sing.

I recently stayed in Shepherds Bush near the tube as my son lives there. The area and the housing where I was seemed nice and I felt safe walking around even late in the evening.

I only know it's the last stop before the central line goes underground. iirc

Definitely not. My husband used to travel to work that way and would take a detour to avoid walking through white city estate.

Yes I'd happily live in Shepherds Bush. White city, only if close to the station. Loads of young people, including friends of mine, in that area.

Signing might be a problem, some leases (usually flats) are not allowing singing/playing instruments, so you should also check with the owner of the property if it’s going to be allowed..

It's also worth looking at East Acton - less going on there but still easy to get into Shepherd's Bush for a social life or Latimer Road for study. Most of the housing there is former/current council housing build as a 'garden estate' so less intimidating and more families etc.

I don't know what it's like now but twenty years ago it was somewhere you would not feel safe. Some areas near White City are very nice but that's London, you can walk two streets away and enter a different world.

In London you can pass a sink estate one minute and then a vairy naice road of Victorian villas the next.

Anywhere in London though, I advise women to tell someone when they are leaving and where they are going to, not wear headphones in the street, cross over if someone is walking behind you and have a personal alarm handy. Search Suzy Lamplugh Trust for more info.

I live in West London and I know the area well. I'm there all the time, nearly every day. To be quite honest, I'd look around Ravenscourt Park/Goldhawk Road/Hammersmith/Kensington Olympia/Barons Court.

Looking at the tube line (she'd be on the H'smith & City/Circle line- I am on that tube all the time!), I'd look from Goldhawk Road to Hammersmith, that sort of area. It's nice (my kids are at the school there) and safer. They've done up the area around Wood Lane, but to be honest, White City's still a bit dodgy and I wouldn't feel safe walking around there at night- and I'm pretty tough as old boots. It takes a lot to scare me on the streets of London. I wouldn't want my daughter living there, tbh.

Latimer Road is my local station and I feel fine walking around here.
I also leave for work very early in the mornings... 04.00 - 04.30 and normally walk to work which is in Hammersmith.
Shepherds bush Green does seem to attract alsorts and im often asked for money by homeless men but none have ever been a problem.
Latimer Road is different to White City imo.
My dad lived on the White City Estate many years ago when it was a dump but I was under the impression it had improved but I can't say for sure.
As with anywhere you need to be alert and dont take any silly short cuts when you can stick to the main roads.
There is good and bad parts in every borough.... often only streets away from each other.
I was weary about moving here from my previous place but im more than happy here.

@TheVanguardSix

I live in West London and I know the area well. I'm there all the time, nearly every day. To be quite honest, I'd look around Ravenscourt Park/Goldhawk Road/Hammersmith/Kensington Olympia/Barons Court.

She’s done a virtual viewing at Barons Court tonight. I roughly know the area as I know it’s near Lamda. My only concern is the place would be shared with housemates she can’t meet who are students & she doesn’t want a party flat.

Daisy, the place in White City was actually north of the station by Wood Lane High School. But it’s been taken.

She’s been offered a room in a house occupied by other dance students but it’s Finchley which would be a much longer commute

I have been living in White City for over 40 years, it is not run down at all. New flats are being built on South Africa Road, Westfield shopping centre is just a few minutes away from where I live. It's a lovely place to live. And is now very safe. I love it here I have great friends, also Sheperds bush market is about a 10 minute walk,although I must be honest and say it has gone very down hill. If you wish to buy or rent in White City I can tell you after over 40 years of living here it's a lovely area.

She ended up in a shared house in Ealing. But she is no longer in London.