to be afraid to move to north London?

[Samsean]

Hi

We are relocating to north London (harringay/hackney) due to DP's work. Having just visited the place, it feels scary and unfriendly. Is there anything to be afraid of or is it just in my head?

[muminthecity]

I live in SE London and love it, but I do love North London too. When I win the lottery I'm going to buy a big house in Hampstead. I've worked in Camden, Kentish Town and Islington and never felt particularly unsafe in any of those places.

[FrenchJunebug]

hackney is great if you've got kids. Lots of parks and markets and the hackney Picture house does toddler film screenings!

North London (esp Kentish Town) is equally great.

[Gryffindor]

On and Forest Gate is 5 mins away (by train, bus or car) to Westfield Stratford, with all the shops, restaurants, cinema etc that it brings.

[Gryffindor]

We are in E7 Forest Gate and cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a bit scruffy around the edges, but it is getting better and better (just this year so far Antic pubs have moved in, trendy coffee shops opening, local organic market etc) and more and more trendy/media types are moving in. Good schools too and LOADS of open green space on Wanstead Flats. Trains are 12 mins into Liverpool St.

Plus it is considerably cheaper than Hackney, Stoke etc, but prices are rising as the area becomes more well known.

[FreudiansSlipper]

though of course it goes without saying south london is much nicer you will be so close you can visit

have loved both north and south :)

[FreudiansSlipper]

there is no where is london that is scary it is a safe city to live in

there are places you may avoid going to at night but why would you be going there

both areas have changed a lot in the last 10 years for the better. most places in london a rough part is very close to a very nice part this is probably why london balances itself out nicely

[PerpetualStudent]

I'm just about to move to Tottenham, near Downhills Park (or 'Seven Sisters Village' as I'm semi-ironically planning on renaming it - who's with me?!) and this thread has been really useful, thanks y'all!

People turning their noses up at more 'rustic' areas of N, NE and SE used to make me grumpy (Have lived in Catford, Lewisham and Peckham in my time) but now we're buying I'm just chuffed they're all keeping away and leaving the house prices reasonable - you're welcome to my current 'ends, Stoke Newington, where you can drop best part of a million on a 3 bed terrace!

[toiras]

Oh dear there's some real misinformation going on.

I've lived in various parts of North London for 22 years and Haringey (N17 - West Green/Tottenham specifically) in particular for the last three. I love it here and am the happiest I've been anywhere in London. There are great houses in the area with big gardens; fantastic parks; lovely neighbours; great transport, local markets and events; some good pubs and restaurants, and real community spirit.

Check out:
www.harringayonline.com/
tottenhamlife.co.uk/
haringeyfriendsofparks.org.uk/
www.bowesandbounds.org/
gnrt.co.uk/
www.tottenhammarshes.org/
www.haringey.gov.uk/brucecastlemuseum
www.haringey.org.uk/hic/
harringaymarket.co.uk/
www.biggreenbookshop.com/
www.lordshiprec.org.uk/
www.alexandrapalace.com/
sanmarco.co.uk/ (best pizzas in London)
www.localblend.co.uk/
www.mbeam.org/
www.facebook.com/jaminajar.co.uk
www.turnpikeartgroup.co.uk/
londonist.com/2011/04/top-10-things-to-do-in-the-borough-of-haringey.php

for just some of what's wonderful about the area...

[MadBusLady]

Once you start getting exact locations/properties nailed down, let us know if we can help. London really can change within a few streets. I think it's because not many people drive in the course of the average day (parking too much hassle, traffic too heavy) so your daily life is what's within walking distance.

[LucySnoweShouldRelax]

I've lived in both NE and SE London, loved them both equally, honest! Full of oddballs and immigrants, like myself.

I went to West London once. THAT was weird.

[passedgo]

Consider looking online local community forums, they can be quite helpful in getting to know what's on offer.

[VinegarDrinker]

If you're happy to be a teeny bit more specific with your new location I'm sure MNers could point you in the direction of some good local facilities.

[BsshBossh]

Samsean are you specifically looking to move to Harringay or Hackney?

[Samsean]

Thanks everyone :)

It's nice to hear that many of you are very happy in London. As someone moving from a lovely peaceful quiet town, it is daunting! I just hope we have good neighbours and there's. decent children's centre around. Wish me luck!

[VinegarDrinker]

Jefferson not to mention the Crooked Billet - previous permanent cop hangout, now an overpriced gastropub!

[IsabellaMumsnet]

As you're moving to a new area, you may find our Local sites helpful for listings on things to do, services, shops, schools and more, plus Local Talk.
Hackney: local.mumsnet.com/hackney
Haringey: local.mumsnet.com/haringey
Good luck!

[Jefferson]

Completely agree about Clapton/chatsworth rd.
I lived near a petrol station in Clapton where there were constant shootouts (I wish I was exaggerating). And Chatsworth rd was rough.

Now Upper Clapton has got a trendy cafe (old depot) and a hip pizza place. Chatsworth rd has load of cafes plus an antiques shop!

[MrBloomsMarrow]

OP, please don't do it, just don't. They all talk funny up there.

I live in Peckham.

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Less City/Canary Wharf folk than V.Pk. Many more media types with LOTS of money buying 750k houses for cash.

[kingbeat23]

And this thread is precisely the reason why I cover my phone whilst I studiously ignore and MN watch my DD at the playground. There are far too many mums on mn around here!!!

[HRMumness]

Miss Betsy, yeap, meant Clapton [embarrassed].

[VinegarDrinker]

We still have lots of fried chicken places though!

[VinegarDrinker]

Yes, Chatsworth Road is going all Broadway Market these days. It's quite funny although the effect on house prices (driving lots of friends and family out), less so.

[Bumpsadaisie]

Thats interesting about clapton, MissBetsy. I lived in Clapton from 1999 to 2002 (Chatsworth Road) above a fried chicken shop. There were lots of shootings.

I've just street viewed Chatsworth road and I see a very nice deli called "L'Epicierie" not to mention a couple of vair nice looking coffee shops.

Has it gone the way of Victoria Park then?

[gotadifferentnamenow]

PseudoBadger, none of N16 is in Haringey. It is all Hackney. Promise.