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?

[DancingLady]

Wouldn't live in north London. But then I'm south London born and bred.

Hackney is possibly the most overrated area in the uk. Bit of a shithole, expensive property, high crime... What's to like? I visit friends there and am baffled.

[crazynanna]

I'm an Archway girl originally and now live in Finsbury Pk/Stroud Green. DD lives in Holloway.
None of us would live elsewhere. Home is where the heart is.

[SomethingOnce]

It is scary and unfriendly.

You should be afraid of... all N.Londoners, frankly.

(Kidding. Probably.)

[JaceyBee]

My sister's in Stoke Newington and it's fine. Nice park, loads of good restaurants, little crime. No biggy.

[southeastdweller]

I just remembered from the days when I lived in Highbury and Tottenham that Green Lanes is probably one of the most congested roads I've ever been stuck in, in peak times. A friend who lives in Manor House says it's still bad so try not to move near there if possible, if you're reliant on public transport.

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Has Holloway changed then? When I lived there about 15 years ago it was properly rough!

[BitterOldOtter]

I agree with WildandWoolly.
I live in Seven Sisters at the moment (and have done for5 years) very happily. It's urban but very convenient for the city/town.
I think it doesn't have the best past but a lot of people I hear comment negatively about the place (or indeed lifeIin London generally) are not talking from recent or direct experience.

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Oh yes, we were up nearer Manor House really - did not like that area at all.

[morefalafel]

I've lived in north london my whole life - just north of Edmonton. Harringey is not far at all, its definitely north London.

MadBusLady is completely correct in summing up the area's, except I disagree about Wood Green. We used to get the bus there at weekends as teenagers for shopping and were the only kids in our class brave enough to do so as you are either going to get knifed or mugged unless you look scary enough to fight back. And that was 15 years ago... Even now if the night bus home is stopping there, we will happily wait another 45 mins for one that goes straight through! Ali Pali area is nice though, and great links to central.

[morefalafel]

If you are talking Palmers Green, without hesitation, do it. Its lovely!

[BsshBossh]

Where specifically are you moving too OP? Crouch End, Muswell Hill, Hornsey all in Haringey and lovely areas to live in. The Ladder roads off Green Lanes, also the Gardens and South Tottenham (Green Lanes end) are also good with loads of young families moving in and excellent primary schools. If you're not involved in drugs/gangs then it feels pretty safe - no one cares about you. Same as all over London.

[HerBigChance]

I don't know Hackney but can do Haringey:

Good - Highgate, Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Stroud Green, Bounds Green

^ this. Haringey has lots of diverse areas.

[kingbeat23]

Love north and east London. Lived in south London too. I prefer it this side of the river as I have more friends this side and there is generally better transport links (tube stopped in Brixton when I lived there, not sure what its like with the overground now)

I live in n16 and I live it. Wide streets, wicked transport, 24 hour lifestyle but parks, green spots and peace and quiet if needed.

There are blue jay, parakeets and all manner of birds in the parks here too!!

Excellent schools where I am (well, primary at least) and the secondarys are getting better too.

[Larrygogan]

Lived in Finsbury Park for years and loved it there.

[LittleBearPad]

North London is lovely - well a lot of it is. You just need to find your niche. Ignore all the Sarf Londoners; they're just jealous .

Seriously don't be afraid of North London. We're very nice.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

Where are you moving from OP?

I live in south London and have no wish to move north!

[SmallTorch]

I lived in Tottenham. So convenient. And people are very friendly.
Busy, 24 hour, always full of people living their lives, you always feel like you're living in a city. Lots of litter though.
I totally disagree that Wood Green is or was scary too! Nobody ever said that to me! I always went all the time!

[gotadifferentnamenow]

I live in Tottenham. I probably wouldn't choose to live here if I could afford Crouch End/Muswell Hill/Stroud Green, or indeed if I could afford anywhere in Hackney. But it does me just fine, good transport links, all the supermarkets, and there's a lot of regen money floating around.

But it is familiar to me - I grew up in Seven Sisters.

[Blont]

Done Norf and Souf London. Souf is better.

Walthamstow seems to have gone to seed, and I wouldn't live in Wood Green, and Holloway Road itself is a bit grotty even if the surrounding area isn't, and I don't like Hornsey Road either, but the rest of it is all right. Hackney's not bad at all if you can deal with all the stupid haircuts and artisanal turnip fusion beverage concepts.

[imip]

I live on the hackney/islington borders, and have done for 8 years. I do love it, love the area. A bit annoyed by it being a bit hipper-than-hip and the property prices are beyond lots of long-term residents who are ready to buy a house. There is a lot to do here, ESP for kids. Not sure if you have dc, op. if so, I would choose my area carefully ESP re: schools. I do see the odd petty crime going on. And drunkeness, homelessness. I don't feel particularly unsafe. But I know it isn't the safest area. But it's london, and I would probably feel that way anywhere.

I do love it though, love east london. Ome thing always going on for the kids, and generally always free.

[KateCroydon]

It's fine. Don't worry.

[MadBusLady]

Did the OP make it back from norf London alive??

[Skinheadmermaid]

Aw you're all being mean about wood green!
I practice wing chun at a gym there so maybe i'm biased?

I used to catch my night bus there years ago after nights out, never had any trouble. I must look well hard innit.

[PseudoBadger]

To repeat others, Hackney is East London. Haringey (which bit please?) is North London.

[Binkybix]

There are a few bits that feel a bit sketchy, but also think that some parts of Hackney are pretentious. Depends what you like really.