What is it like to live in Friern Barnet/Barnet

[MegR33]

Hi there

We have been living in Finsbury Park for a while, but need to move as are looking to size up and realise that we may need to move out of the immediate area. We have seen a house on the market in Friern Barnet, but know absolutely nothing about the the particular location or Barnet in general!

The street that the property is on looks lovely and suburban, however we are worried that the wider area may be too quiet. We really love Islington/Hackney and all the independent coffee shops, farmers markets etc, so we are wondering what it is like to live in Barnet?

We have a 3 year old, so schooling will be important in the years to come.

Any insights would be really helpful, particularly if you have made a similar move.

Our other option is to look East - ie Walthamstow/Leyton...

Provincial and distant ime. You're barely part of London at all. I'd go East.

@JackieWeaver4PM

Provincial and distant ime. You're barely part of London at all. I'd go East.

Harsh! It's zone 4, def part of London , they have the tube and everything, honest gov!

That being said, OP, if you really want the whole artisan coffee and farmers market vibe, Friern Barnet ain't really it. It's def more suburban. Don't get me wrong, there are a few nice coffee shops and cafes, but they'd be few and far between compared to the likes of Hackney and I don't think Barnet has a farmers market, there's maybe one across the border in Enfield? Friern Barnet I think is still a bit rough round the edges in parts although I haven't lived/been down there in a few years (Colney Hatch lane etc probably looks pretty run down/industrial) but then again it has some useful features e.g. the retail park, the Finchley lido, the big Tesco, erm, the North Circular?? )

Barnet in general is popular area with families because it's safe, reasonably priced and the schools, transport links and general amenities are good but I'd say Walthamstow and Leyton are 'cooler' for sure (although how many of those lovely coffee shops and wine bars will survive Covid is unclear atm ). There are some nice parks and open space for kids nearby to there, plus you really aren't very far away even in London terms from places like Muswell Hill, Hampstead, Highgate etc that are much more upmarket and have all the boutiques and artisian bakeries etc you could want...!)

Are you me? We live in the same area, want to move to the same area and also have young children.

I know a little bit about the area - and some friends have just moved there. It does lack the business of FP/Islington, and the restaurants and bars etc, BUT there's lots of great stuff for kids to do - green spaces, pick your own fruit farm close by, lots of families around. Our friends used to live in Crouch End and say that in Barnet people are less pretentious and more friendly. I think schools are average but it depends where you move to. I want to move there for a bigger house and garden and for the quicker access to the countryside. It's also got the tube so you feel like you are still in London even though I think technically its Herts.

Watching this thread with interest.....

I should say we were looking at High Barnet......

Yeah it's Herts.

Being on the tube doesn't make you a Londoner! Chesham is also on the tube but it's not in London. Camberwell isn't on the tube but it is in London.

Bloody provincials.

@JackieWeaver4PM

Yeah it's Herts.

Being on the tube doesn't make you a Londoner! Chesham is also on the tube but it's not in London. Camberwell isn't on the tube but it is in London.

Bloody provincials.

Derailing OP's thread as the technicalities really don't matter and I'm sure she can look this up on a map if she cares at all, but Friern Barnet and High Barnet are def not in Hertforshire, they are in the London Borough of Barnet. Clue's in the name as to whether they're in London or not! Bordering places like Radlett, Shenley, Borehamwood and Elstree can sometimes be counted as in London as they're the right side of the M25 but are technically in Herts for council purposes. This isn't snobbery, Radlett is much posher than High Barnet but it is the facts!

Chesham is about 30-35 miles outside central London depending on what you take to be central London, High Barnet would be about 10-15 miles and Friern Barnet even less than that as it's further south so there's really no comparison!

Bloody urbanites

Thanks @maxelly for your comments about the area, it’s really helpful as we honestly know next to nothing! As you say, there are fairly good transport links, and the particular property we like is in the south of the borough, so we aren’t too concerned about the distance from the city - it is the neighbourhood amenities that we want to know more of. We will spend some time driving around the area this weekend...

@LeafyGreen333 it’s such a dilemma isn’t it! Love Stroud Green and all the new places popping up in Finsbury Park, so will be really sad to leave the area. Good to hear that your friends who have relocated to Barnet are happy, that is reassuring!

@JackieWeaver4PM thanks for sharing your view - definitely still actively looking in Walthamstow too. Some big decisions to make!

I live in FB.

We have great transport - Piccadilly line at Arnos Grove which is 20 mins into Kings Cross and the overground at New Southgate which goes through Finsbury Park into Old Street/Morgate.

Primary schools are great.

Definitely no farmers markets or independent coffee shop type stuff so if that's your vibe then it may not suit you tbh. We have a nice local pub though in the Arnos Arms!

It's not far from Muswell Hill which had a very buzzy high street with shops, restaurants, whole foods etc.

Oh we have really great parks too!

And it is most definitely in London and not Herts - its N11 postcode - North London :)

Hello

Hello,

Barnet (between New Barnet and High Barnet) is actually on my list of choosing locations to buy a house and wondering if you made your decision at the end to move to the Barnet. :)
If you did, how is new life so far in Barnet?
My location search also includes Walthamstow, Leyton and Leytonstone as well so would be great to hear your experiences. :)

Hi,

I saw your above post. I moved from Aldersbrook (East London by Wanstead) to East Barnet (Oakhill Park) 2 years ago and I love it. Below is a pro v cons list which I hope you find useful in your research.

Pros of Barnet
-Love being within walking/ driving distances to top rated cafes, restaurants and having a wide choice (Sushi, Tapas, grills, Greek etc) in Cockfosters, Whetstone, Southgate, Oakwood

• Outdoor spaces are really well kept and interesting so I have lost nothing moving away from the Wanstead flats/ forest. I feel safer walking in the parks as the paths are lit with a mixture of paved paths and forest footpaths

-More gastro pubs to choose from (although need to go to Arnos, Cockfosters, Enfield or Southgate )

• Our house was 200K - 300k cheaper for same size/ and condition

-Neighbours are super friendly with active resident associations, road parties, whatsapp groups etc -Off street parking for multiple cars and no permit parking

• No A12/ A406 pollution or big vehicles cutting through to get to Stratford = much (much) cleaner air
• Proximity to Highgate, Muswell Hill, Finchley, Winchmore Hill etc

-Barnet is just 'normal' you see all types of people and everyone just fits in (all ethnicities, middle/ higher income etc)

• Commute is longer but much (much) more pleasant. I used to get the tube/ trains from Leytonstone, Wanstead and Manor Park and it was literally a push to get on (holding my breath) to Stratford 🤢. Reading a book on my commute was near impossible (too short/ too crowded)
• The schools in Barnet are plentiful and extremely good. I lived next to Aldersbrook School which has to serve a big intake area. My home in Barnet is served by 2 primary schools (outstanding rated with one being in the top 100 in the UK league) and 2 outstanding/ good secondary schools. I have additional 3 primary schools within a mile - some also outstanding!
• Hospitals in Barnet (Royal Free) are good
• My allotment - Barnet has 44 allotment sites compared to 24 in Redbridge. Getting one in Barnet is easier (and they are well run).
• The landscape - where I am is a little hilly! Just feels nice and in the Christmas holidays as soon as it snows the whole neighbourhood is out on their sledge / snowball fights!
• Less 'travelling crime'

Cons

• Longer commute - Central line is an awesome line to live close by. The new cross rail will also be very good.
• Wanstead High Street
• The houses in East London (Edwardian/ Victorian) are more attractive to the semis of Barnet. (Ie 1920s. V 1935s). This is very important! If that chocolate box house is your dream I feel East London has more of it in the 600k to 900K mark.
• I miss seeing the red arrow fly overs as they come from Buckingham Palace fly overs
• Barnet is about families / family units - I would feel out if I was in my 20s/30s. The pace here is probably too slow for the socialites.

-No farmer markets but then Barnet/ Enfield have permanent farmer shops nearby