because we can't figure out where to live?

[Arty3542]

Hello!

I've posted before about moving to London from the NYC area with our 3 children. We are down to the wire and need to decide pronto! We have narrowed it down to two areas... Notting Hill/Holland Park OR Hampstead. These are where the schools that have places are.

I know that these areas are expensive and I'm sure people will laugh at our dilemma, but this decision will decide where we will be living for the next 5 years. I am the WORST when it comes to make a 50/50 decision. I think I'm driving my husband nuts.

Thank you mumsnet for all your help thus far!

I was thinking about you just today, arty! I think Hampstead, though I'd agree about it maybe being a bit squeezed, don't know how important garden or outdoor space is for you.

Please do keep us posted, I'm finding your move very exciting!

Hampstead. It is so beautiful. North London is great in my mind, much better than West London.

Notting Hill is like many London boroughs: socially mixed. Because of the way the area has evolved, you find council housing and private housing on the same street. The very poor and the very, very rich living side by side. It makes the area more vibrant but there is also more crime. The Notting Hill in the Hugh Grant/Julia Roberts film is like a fantasy version of the real thing, although those houses and garden squares do exist.

Hampstead is like a beautiful village. It's genteel. For some reason I imagine Judi Dench living there although I know she doesn't! It also has the Heath, which is like having the countryside on your doorstep. It has lots of clothes boutiques on the High Street, but not many decent restaurants/bars like you can find in Notting Hill.

If I was 25, I would live in Notting Hill and love it and would find Hampstead deathly boring. Now I would probably choose Hampstead. Hope that helps

Sorry, I see you're also talking about Holland Park. The area (not the park itself) is really just streets of big houses behind gates. Like somebody said upthread it's more of a thoroughfare to other places. It doesn't really have a heart imo.

Ahh wish I had this decision to make. 100% Hampstead.

Hampstead

Thanks, all!!

RiverTam, would be fun to meet-up! :)

What do you all mean about Hampstead being "squeezed-in"?

Hampstead is beautiful! I go back and forth about being in the center of it all(NH)and being in more family-friendly area. We're expats and want to take full advantage of London. But still want a safe and friendly environment for our children. Oh, and we won't have a car.

I went to school in Hampstead and have lived in Notting Hill (as an adult) so feel I can comment a bit on your situation. Of course it all depends on your preferences but...

I think Notting Hill is better connected into central London and easier to access than Hampstead. It doesn't have Hampstead's charm, however. I believe what a PP meant by H being 'hemmed in' is that the properties are quite higgledy piggledy. The roads can be narrow. You're often on a side of steep hills which don't necessarily afford you clear views. It can feel a little claustrophobic. You do have the Heath which is very beautiful and will instantly give you a different aspect in the area though.

Hope this helps.

Hampstead... The Heath is awesome. It's seriously expensive though. Have you looked at Stoke Newington? Great transport, closer in, similar vibe to Hampstead but less....snooty... (You might like snooty). Best place in London for kids.... Take a look at Church Street and Clissold park. Weekends are like kids festival.

I have friends who live in both areas. Hamstead I was told has increasing crime - a friend is selling up as she experienced armed robbery twice in a year. Notting Hill, depending on location, is safer as there tend to be more people around.

However Notting Hill carnival and Saturday markets mean it still isn't going to be completely safe. If you're looking for a great place to raise kids I'd look outside of Central London. Watford/Stanmore/Harrow on the Hill is pretty nice & schools are fantastic.

Hampstead, though depends where in Hampstead. You don't want to be too far from the Tube.

Hampstead is just lovely, near the Heath, with the bathing ponds, friendly and near 'normal' places like Tufnell Park, Kentish Town, etc. I've always found West London just a teensy bit artificial and hectic but that might be just me.

Hampstead, better for families in my opinion.

Thanks all!

We did see an apt in Hampstead that is a 2 minute walk to the tube, which is great. I don't think I could live too far outside of town.

RunningLuLu, I did mention crime to our realtor. I sent him a couple articles about recent muggings and robberies. And the muggers are after mothers walking their children to school! He kind of shrugged it off saying it's a city and there will be some crime. But it's odd for Hamsptead, no?

Honestly, there's crime anywhere, it's a big city. One of the things about London is that luxury and poverty live side by side. Even the most expensive areas are next to council housing and are socially mixed, even Notting Hill. Please be assured that Hampstead is not known for its crime, it's a very safe leafy area and it's very close to central London, it feels urban rather than suburban and the Heath is one of the great beauties of the word, countryside virtually in central London. It's 10 minutes on the tube, 10 minutes on a bike and only a bit longer on the bus into the West End, easy to get a black can to take you home It's walkable but the drive is longer because of terrible traffic and Camden Council's obsession with digging up main roads.

What a lovely dilemma to have

However, for me, Hampstead no question. 100%. West London is cool but Hampstead is just utterly beautiful, really the loveliest part of London imo, and great for kids.

I used to live on Haverstock Hill and if I won the lottery would be back in NW3 so fast you'd not see me for dust!

Agree there will always be crime in London, no postcode is free of that. Don't let that put you off.

Oh, you lucky thing - days on the Heath, bathing at the ponds in the summer, nights in the Holly Bush! Plus you've got lovely Highgate, West Hampstead and the more down-to-earth delights of Kentish Town/Camden on your doorstep too (for when you want that grittier West London vibe ) - am jealous!

Another vote for Hampstead!

And yes, there is crime all over London. Just be careful and streetwise as I'm sure you are in NYC anyway, and you'll be fine. Please don't base your view of an area on a couple of newspaper articles. There can be crime anywhere in a big city.

Hampstead has a magical feel that I never tire of, plus the view from Parliament Hill - a sure way to impress your visitors!

For me Hampstead, but I've never lived anywhere as central so it's pure fantasy. Do you know anyone already, where do they live?

After reading Saffy's post, I'm feeling quite jealous of you being able to live in Hampstead. There really isnt anything comparable at Notting Hill. I certainly wouldn't live further out if I could afford to live in Hampstead.

I used to police NH a few years ago. As a pp said there is a very diverse range of people living in close proximity. The area attracts celebrities Richard Branson, Simon Cowell, Elton John etc but they live / lived more towards Holland Park. Madonna lived for a while on
Sheffield Terrace which is off Kensington Church Street ( a good option). NH has a broad range of independent bars, shops and restaurants. Portobello market is great but attracts thousands of people every Saturday which may be a nuisance. You could avoid a lot of hassle by concentrating your efforts south of Notting Hill Gate and on one hand you would miss out on those lovely squares but you would be closer to High Street Kensington and a big Whole foods.

The crime is more centred to the north around Golborne Road and Portobello Rd, north end of Ladbroke Grove etc. These are OK places to visit in the daytime assuming you're not dripping in gold and diamonds. Less safe in the night time but the crime is lower compared to other boroughs. The safer part of the borough is Kensington and obviously Chelsea although these are to the south of your preferred location ( and have a different feel)

All great info! Thank you!

The school that has places is on Holland Ave, so we would live closer to there and/or around Holland Park(east or west).

Our girls have spots at St Mary's Catholic School in Hampstead. It's on fitzjohns ave. We will definitely want to live within walking distance to the school.

I hope all goes well with everyone this week as school begins! Here's to smooth transitions!!

Hampstead for the Heath. It's magical. I can't explain why, but nowhere else is quite the same.

Guessing the Heath is greater than Hyde Park😉

Rent before you decide and then if you are not happy you can move? I always advise people to do this in London. Including when moving areas. DH and I had 20 years in London between us but we still rented when we first moved to The NW postcodes. Have now bought here and are very happy

Yes! We will def rent first. We would hate to change schools though. Don't want to love the kids around too much.