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?

[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!

[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

[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 :)

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.