To ask if you think this very ‘unmumsnetty?’

[BologneseGurl]

If someone were looking for a place to live and there criteria were -

”I’m looking for somewhere run down with a few ropey pubs”

LIGHTHEARTED

Agree 100% - a few streets amongst estates - add Whitechapel and Harlesdon.

It's words like 'up and coming' area you need.

@BologneseGurl I’m sure you can tell many of us do not think your question is bizarre and understand exactly what you meant. I live near Brick Lane, my family have always been around Hoxton, Whitechapel, Mile End areas. We have witnessed first hand buildings going from run down to multi million high risers. There are still little pockets of the good/bad (depends how you see it) old days with the old man pubs.

I lived in Stepney for a decade in the 80s/90s. I hate this type of 'gentrification' - the worst of both worlds. The new stuff is only affordable to the wealthy buyers, BTL LLs or renters - there is no space for working class families - or mixed a more community - just greater disparity of wealth an communities that dont mix/overlap. The new retail is not organic just the cliched £4.50 coffees etc.

🤣

Yes I was just thinking that earlier 🤣

I know what you mean Op. parts of Southsea were like that and they have a special place in my heart. As you say, no place to be bringing up kids.

I know what you mean Op. parts of Southsea were like that and they have a special place in my heart. As you say, no place to be bringing up kids.

Luton ?

So many great times in Montpelier, drinking cider in the Old England with all the dogs on strings running around.

Haha yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

actually got good memories of there !! ❤️🙌

I'm amazed I guessed correctly !

I know what you mean. I come from what was a very run-down part of London, but didn't know any different when I was a child.

Lolling at the bafflement. I get you OP. somewhere unpretentious, with a nice salt of the earth community and friendly old geezers to chin wag with at the bar

i woudl recommend
shooters hill
rodbourne in Swindon
skewen s wales. That covers the south

consett might fit the bill too.

Given your criteria I think you should buy a canal boat and travel the network. The industrial and historic nature of canals means you'll find it really easy to find 'authentic' places with a bit of grit in their oyster and moor up for a couple of weeks. When the nitty gritty kicks in you can move on.

Sharpness docks would be your dream.

I think I know what you mean, there is a sort of almost romance, in older poorer areas. I lived in Blackpool as a child, and I love to remember those streets, behind all the busy areas like the promenade, and around the winter gardens or the parks. The trouble is those areas and pubs aren't the same sort of run down as they were.

Strippers in pubs - dear god is that still a thing?

Ah thanks - my ex was from Shooters Hill I know Skewen as well

I used to think Blackpool was posh as a residential area !

The residential areas were, but the areas where the people who serviced all the fun lived, weren't . There were streets of terraced houses with no front gardens, and at the rear were small back yards, alleys with stables or 'donkey backs' for the donkeys on the 'sands' as we called the beach. The donkeys would jangle down the streets with their harnesses and bells in the mornings, and back again in the evening, if you were lucky, you could get a lift home on donkey, if you lived near. For some reason an elephant from the circus was temporarily housed in a garage or large stable, it wasn't happy, and started to break its way out of the ramshackle doors at the front. This was in the 50s. My dad took us to see it, but soon retreated when he realised what was happening. It was a rum place, our street!

That is fantastic! You should write a book.