Anyone in Chestnuts Park/Downhills Park/West Green Road/Philip Lane area

[penguindays]

Thinking of moving from another part of London to this area but wondered what it is like for young families. Hear some horror stories eg schools and riot, but on other hand we could afford a whle house with garden.

I just answered your query on the Hackney board.
]
I am quite serious when I say this: Haringey is hellish, unless you are in Crouch End or Muswell Hill. I am not exaggerating. You are far, far better off going to Hackney.

I lived in Wood Green for 5 years and I swear to God, the misery nearly killed me. Moving to Hackney was like arriving in paradise

Hornsey is really nice. I have friends on the Ladder and also on the other side of Green Lanes close to Chesnuts and St John Vianney schools (excellent Ofsteds and over-subscribed) who love it - all young professionals with young families. The Ladder is good though congested but North Harringay and South Harringay schools are excellent. Green Lanes is fun and vibrant (I used to rent in the Gardens area which had loads of families. You're also on the Piccadilly line and a few bus routes straight into central London. Lots of activities for adults and children. And affordable.

I'm not a fan of Wood Green or the area of Philip Lane towards Tottenham as schools not as highly rated and as gritty as Green Lanes can feel, these areas can be a little unnerving.

Personally, if you're okay with Harringay but can't afford Crouch End, Hornsey etc then look at the areas closest to Green Lanes (Ladder, Gardens and the quiet back roads around St John Vianney School).

we have moved to downhills area in 2005 for the same reason. i.e. we could get a whole house with garden. and we never looked back! We were expecting to stay around for a few years and then move on but we were pleasantly surprised. There are a lot of young families around like us and we made lots of friends. We also noted a very rapid change on the type of people moving to the area since we moved and things are definitely improving. Schools wise, we are quite well served for primary schools with Belmont, St John Vianney, St Mary's Priory RC and Chestnuts. We also have another huge park around the corner - Lordship Rec. Yes, I suppose you do get problems around here (riot and so on) but being so close to central london - 3 stops from kings Cross - it comes with the territory. Hope this helps

I grew up in Muswell Hill, then lived on the Ladder and am now in West Green. I love the area. It's so diverse, great local parks, lots of schools (although the better ones over subscribed and frankly I don't know what we're going to do when it comes time for our 1 year old to go to school), close to shops (and a great variety, although still mourning the loss of Woolies), lots of public transport and lots of children's centres. I moved from a flat on the Ladder to a house with garden in West Green so we have much more space. The only thing that would make me move now is if we can't get our son into the school we want, but that could be the cases wherever we are.

In comparison to Muswell Hill and Crouch End it's much less yummy mummy but more friendly, more open space, better transport links and can get more for your money. I give the area a thumbs up.

As for the riot, it could have happened anywhere....and i didn't actually know anything was going on till i had a text from a friend in Wales!

thank you all - it is definitely on our list, along with clapton, so that's all really helpful