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?

[CatAmongThePigeons]

I love London and would move back anywhere in Norf Lunnon in a heartbeat, there's so much to do and see, pretty much everywhere has a link to Central London and it's not scary at all, then again, I grew up in an area a lot of people think is really rough, so I think I grew up 'ard.

I think different people suit different places.

[digerd]

Wood Green and Turnpike Lane were my nearest shopping centres and reached by one 30 min bus journey in those days. It was very littered, but otherwise not scary at all.
Enfield is the most northern part of London, but no underground station.

Oakwood and Cockfosters were very nice and towards the end of the Piccadilly Line.

[turkeyboots]

I miss N London loads. Had to leave for DHs work or else we'd be in Victoria Park area. Loved Manor House and,Green Lanes and lived there for 5 years. But has gone a bit soulless with estate agents and Costa coffee everywhere now. I miss all the local bakeries and Turkish resturants.

[HRMumness]

Another from the Tottenham massive (n17). We used to rent in hackney but bought a 3 bed fixer upper house with a garden on a nice street for the price of a shoebox 1 bed in hackney just under 2 years ago. DH and I earn good money but most of the naice places people are talking about are completely out of our league (for a family house you are talking 600k+ minimum).
Have met loads of other similar people in similar situations who have bought in the area. It is definitely on the up and the government is putting a lot of money in the area. I've made lots of local friends and find it better connected than hackney, transport wise. I've met and seen the odd dodgy sort but generally it's all been fine.
Lets not forget that clapham was more commonly known as murder mile in the 90s

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Well I live in NE London, in one of the areas the OP has mentioned. (And that a couple of others have raved about upthread). I walk down our High Street and, tbh, it is a bit of a shithole. The traffic's awful, the air's practically yellow and the shops are useless.

But. Lots of people here are great. I've never lived anywhere with such a community spirit. Everybody mucks in and looks out for each other and they're friendly too.

First impressions don't always count. The local bakers is one of those nasty places that look scary from the outside but the man at the counter has known my DCs since they were bumps and they get a smile and he knows their regular order (gingerbread men, red and blue buttons) and this makes them very, very happy.

Give it a chance OP.

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

Do you mean Clapton HRM?

It's the house prices that are scarier now. Most people are more likely to lose their life on Lower Clapton Rd to a croissant eating, Boden wearing Micro scooter rider than gun crime these days. Or to a fixie riding hipster who's jumped the lights because they've downed too many flat whites.

I jest. The area still has huge social problems but it's another world to the Clapton we knew back in 97.

[3MenAndMe]

Haringey is great....especially Muswell Hill, Crouch end, Highgate, Queens Wood/Highgate Wood are fab for a family or dogs walk....
Enfield is also good....more countryside feel but still inLondon

[gotadifferentnamenow]

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

[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?

[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.

[VinegarDrinker]

We still have lots of fried chicken places though!

[HRMumness]

Miss Betsy, yeap, meant Clapton [embarrassed].

[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!!!

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

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

[MrBloomsMarrow]

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

I live in Peckham.

[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!

[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!

[VinegarDrinker]

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

[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!

[BsshBossh]

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

[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.

[passedgo]

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

[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.

[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.

[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...