moving to the area....

[sunshine185]

hello there,

we've put an offer in on a property on queens drive n4 (hackney end) end of road is clissold park the other end is finsbury park... property is big with a massive sw facing garden, quiet street etc....

perfect for dh, me and 19month old ds...

we currently live in the city in a 2 bed flat with no outdoor space, have done since i was preggers, we both used to work in the city but don't anymore and basically the highlight of living central is no more....

anyway, as with all things to do with change i am feeling incredibly nervous and anxious about the move... i don't know the area, people etc..

anything in the city or N1 is incredibly expensive and doesn't offer the space we like... Highbury is a bit far out in terms of transport, space is small still and expensive too!...

my questions on the area are: is it fairly safe? is it family friendly? are there lots of toddler groups? what about nurseries, shopping etc etc.....

i used to think i could balance a career and family, but now i want the quieter life as my priorities have shifted big time! who knew!!

your thoughts are appreciated, thanks so much!

Stokey is soo family and kid friendly it's unbelievable! There's tons of toddler groups (best one is st marys church hall defoe rd), lots cafes that don't mind sprogs chucking food on the floor, organic farmers market and shops! Clissold Park is lovely with lots of green space, a great playground where all the mums and dads seem to know each other, a ono oclock club and the great paddling pool in the summer.

Hello Sunshine. Your house sounds lovely! I think you'll find living in Stokey a lot more child-friendly than the city. There are loads of local toddler groups and you're still close enough to enjoy the museums etc in central London. The Learning Trust will send you a list of playgroups and nurseries. See here

Like anywhere in London it is perfectly safe, but you wouldn't leave your handbag on your buggy in the playground!

bealos - what day and time is the group at St Marys Church?

welcome sunshine - you will probably love stokey - as bealos says - sooooo family and kid friendly. I think statistically SN has got a really high birth rate compared to the rest of Europe - something like that. The park's a good start- The playground is great for meeting other families. 1'0 clock club every day. Singing group in the cafe on Tuesday am. Defoe road toddler group, thurs am (st Mary's). there's loads to do and people are generally pretty friendly. Great pizzas at Il Bacio. Hope you enjoy your new home/life.

welcome sunshine - you will probably love stokey - as bealos says - sooooo family and kid friendly. I think statistically SN has got a really high birth rate compared to the rest of Europe - something like that. The park's a good start- The playground is great for meeting other families. 1'0 clock club every day. Singing group in the cafe on Tuesday am. Defoe road toddler group, thurs am (st Mary's). there's loads to do and people are generally pretty friendly. Great pizzas at Il Bacio. Hope you enjoy your new home/life.

Just went to the new (or rather revamped for gulp how many millions of pounds by hackney council??!) CLissold Park Leisure Centre today for a swim with ds who's 2. They've added in a fab now toddler area, which is two pools, one toe dippable dip, one shallow enough for ds to stand in, plus bright animals that shoot water and toadstools that rain. fabulous! there's a seperate changing room too. my only gripe is that only 20 people are allowed in at once, so we had to wait (not long though). Apparently it's less busy in the mornings... which is good as ds keeps on asking when we are going back!

Hey Sunshine,

Welcome to the area! Hackney is a great place to bring up wee ones, lots to do and loads of other mums and babies to make friends with. You should check out Mumsnet local listings for things to do. Just for starters... Clissold Park has a good 1 o'clock club (better in summer as there's a nice sandpit), Zoomaround in Milton Grove is a popular indoor play place and there are several children's centres in the area with various drop-in sessions - Linden Children's Centre has a nice one on Friday mornings. Fresh & Wild in Stoke Newington Church Street has a child-friendly cafe, Spence Bakery is also good as are Belle Epoque and That Place On The Corner on Newington Green. Museum of Childhood is worth a visit, as is Hackney Museum.