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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if SE1 (London) is a safe place to live?

37 replies

Orchid6578 · 28/04/2022 10:37

DD has just been offered a place at London School of Economics. The accommodation she has applied for is on the South side of the Thames (Bankside House). She will have a 1.3 mile walk across Blackfriars Bridge to get to LSE to study. Some of her friends have said that Bankside House is not in a great area and not that safe to walk at night. Is there any truth this?
Forgive me for asking. We live in a very rural area and don't know anything about London.

OP posts:
SleeplessInEngland · 28/04/2022 10:41

I know the area and it's fine, very central and actually quite plush. I'd have no worries at all, and would be curious what info her friends are basing their warnings on.

Lasttraintolondon · 28/04/2022 10:42

Very safe

Solasum · 28/04/2022 10:48

It used to be quite run down round there, but in recent years there has been a huge amount of investment, and Borough market is now something if a tourist hotspot. If you look at the map you will see there are lots of reputable hotels seconds away, and a Gail’s bakery. They don’t tend to open on dodgy places. Couldn’t really be more central if she tried. I would definitely go for it!

weaselish · 28/04/2022 10:52

Totally fine. It's central London, it's always busy

pixie5121 · 28/04/2022 10:55

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

Haus1234 · 28/04/2022 10:55

Wow I’m jealous, what a great place to live! She will be fine OP it’s very busy there.

TakeMe2Insanity · 28/04/2022 10:57

Bankside is amazing. She’s very lucky.

BlanketsBanned · 28/04/2022 10:58

Right on the river, next to the Tate Modern, lucky girl, I wish I could afford to live there. Its on Booking,com so very popular.

Original poster
Orchid6578 · 28/04/2022 10:59

Thank god! Thank you all so much!

OP posts:
jay55 · 28/04/2022 11:00

My office is just over the road.
It's a nice area by day but due to all the construction etc it isn't the best lit area at night.
I've never felt unsafe though.

weneedtotalkaboutezra · 28/04/2022 11:00

I'm from here and go back twice a year.

It's a wrong place wrong time thing.

I grew up here and left soon as I turned 18.

London is very busy, lots of traffic. She better be road safe more than anything else.

As for dangerous people like I said, it's wrong place wrong time. There are many people around there all the time which makes it safe but then if one of them is a wrongun you're done for. Just make sure she keeps her wits about her and doesn't go off with any strangers.

Snoopfroggyfrogg · 28/04/2022 11:02

Very good place to live, so much to do and couldn't be better connected with night buses, tubes, taxis etc for getting home at night. It used to be a bit sketchy all around there, elephant and castle, bermondsey etc but it's gone really upmarket in recent years.

mynameiscalypso · 28/04/2022 11:03

My parents live about 5 mins walk from that building. I've always felt safe there at night and there are always loads of people around. It's a great place to live!

Motnight · 28/04/2022 11:06

Echo others it's a great place to live and walk round.

Original poster
Orchid6578 · 28/04/2022 11:07

jay55 · 28/04/2022 11:00

My office is just over the road.
It's a nice area by day but due to all the construction etc it isn't the best lit area at night.
I've never felt unsafe though.

I think it was the walking back at night her friends were saying might be a bit dodgy.
The halls of residence on the North side of the Thames seem a lot more expensive. If she went for one of these, she would have nothing much left to live on after paying Hall fees.

OP posts:
Motnight · 28/04/2022 11:07

Also in case your dd isn't aware get her to download citymapper - it's a great app showing her how to get from place to another with walking and public transport options.

Original poster
Orchid6578 · 28/04/2022 11:17

Motnight · 28/04/2022 11:07

Also in case your dd isn't aware get her to download citymapper - it's a great app showing her how to get from place to another with walking and public transport options.

Thank you. Great tip.

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 28/04/2022 11:20

Motnight · 28/04/2022 11:07

Also in case your dd isn't aware get her to download citymapper - it's a great app showing her how to get from place to another with walking and public transport options.

…. But check it before you go and don’t have your phone in your hand when walking! Lots of phones nicked this way!

mynameisbrian · 28/04/2022 11:23

Woah , great location. She will love it.

Doveyouknow · 28/04/2022 11:27

I know the area very well and it's very safe and I have never seen any trouble though I wouldn't use the cut throughs from the river by the Tate on my own as they are quite lonely / poorly lit. Much of the construction is nearly finished which will also increase the number of people around at night. I would love to live round there and think she is v lucky! On walking round with a phone - yes you probably shouldn't but most people in London do without any issues

Hotpinkparade · 28/04/2022 11:35

I lived by myself, about two streets away, for ten years (2006-2016, so not long ago) while at university and in the years after. Never had any concerns whatsoever. Can't really think of many nicer, safer places to live.

pixie5121 · 28/04/2022 11:43

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

blobby10 · 28/04/2022 11:49

Orchid6578 my son lives almost on top of Borough Market and regularly walks from to and from Blackfriars. He says its like any other town - you keep your eyes peeled, be aware of other people, be sensible !

ferretface · 28/04/2022 11:52

Hi OP, I went to LSE and a lot of my friends lived in Bankside and really enjoyed it, I also lived in SE1 half a mile or so from there for seven years after university. I absolutely loved it and only have good memories. It is very safe. Even the cut throughs don't feel dodgy, there is a lot of expensive residential in the backstreets and the estates are clean and safe. There is usually a bit of traffic or tourists even in the wee hours of the morning so it doesn't ever have a secluded feel. I still work in SE1 and never stopped appreciating it, it's a lovely part of London. On a sunny day there is nothing better than the walk over to Holborn from the South Bank.

Original poster
Orchid6578 · 28/04/2022 12:04

Gee, thank you all so much!

OP posts: