Choosing a flat - new to London, new mum-to-be

[lynn1]

Hi all,
I'm new to netmums, new to London from the US (about 3 weeks ago) and about to become a mum for the 1st time in 5 weeks! I wanted to ask for the opinion of mums in London about choosing a flat and I'd be grateful for any views you have to share.

We're down to the wire on finding a flat to live in and are choosing betwn 2 flats- one I love for the spaciousness and the fact it has a garden and is located on a pretty square, but am not so happy about the neighborhood- busier streets to cross, a little louder and has some "anti-social" youth culture around.

The other flat is in a lovely, tranquil area right by a great park for mums, but it's a lot smaller of flat, closed-in kitchen, ceilings lower bec. it's a garden level, and feels slightly claustrophobic to me (though there are good windows). However it has a nice private garden too.

My question is: in the 1st year w/new baby, which would be more important to you- the neighborhood around where you live or the actual flat itself? I suspect you'd spend a lot of time inside the 1st year (plus there's the weather issue here)! But hubby thinks the opposite and says the neighborhood might be more important for the times that I am able/ want to take strolls, go to a park and meet mums, etc.

Any mums who've been there care to lend advice? Thanks so much!

neighbourhood imho

can you tell us the areas and - some look a bit rough but are actually okay especially during the day

sure, and I should first explain this neighborhood may not be "rough" at all. Lest I sound totally spoiled, I've just come from living on a drug-selling corner in NYC in the middle of a "nice" n'hood- I just didn't know I'd be climbing over passed out people/ drug paraphernalia on my steps when I moved in and I don't want the same surprise again.

So the questionable place is on the border of Islington & Clerkenwell and I've read there have been some probs w/ youth in the particular square I'm looking into it may in reality be nothing, but as a newcomer I don't know these things. I'd have to cross a busy st. to get to market, it's a bit louder, etc.

The n'hood with the smaller more closed-in apt is Highbury Crescent- love the area! Don't love the inside of flat, but could live w/ it if I make adjustments.

I would go for the family-friendly neighbourhood, tbh. We lived in a flat when ds1 and dd were born - it was a large one and very comfy, but I certainly didn't sit in it all day every day (although there were days when I did ) and it was vitally important for my new mother sanity to get out, wander to a cafe, go to the park, meet friends etc. If Highbury Crescent looks like there are lots of families living there, then you are more likely to meet other new mothers and make friends. As long as the smaller flat is not a dump, I would go for that for now. Maybe when your baby's a bit older you can trade up within the nicer area? I don't really know the area you are looking at (we are in S London) so can't help re reputation, but a nice location would be top of my list. Welcome to London, btw, and good luck with your birth.

Re the weather issue - standing in the park in the drizzle while your 10 month old insists on staying on the swing is a great rite of motherhood in the UK... Besides, if you've coped with NY weather, you'll be fine.

wilbur, thanks for your input- that's good to hear from someone who's done this and knows the day-to-day is like- since I have no idea what life will be like really!

I would go for the quieter safer more family friendly area too, I'm a south Londoner and in that south/north London way I don't know north London from my elbow! It definitely feels nicer being around other young families (I live in the Nappy Valley of SW11 so there's nothing else here!) because apart from anything once your LO is a bit older (and the weather is nicer) it'll be so great to get out and about, and if it's a very family centred area they'll be things like playgrounds and childfriendly cafes and so on. The One O'clock club near me has saved my sanity on more than one occasion!

islington is renowned for packs of hoodies.
i have three friends who have lived there and suffered muggings and burglary's, not saying its all like that but they all lived in so called lovely streets and squares.the friend who experienced the most lived in Sudeley st, it got so bad she had to return every night in a cab, they prey on what the deem wealthy people.

canonbury sq in highbury is lovely, but in any of those areas around islington i would say you have to keep your wits about you.

have you considered
primrose hill
muswell hill
highgate
hampstead
crouch end?

I'm not sure. Highbury is also just over a mile away from the top of St Johns Rood -so easy access if that is what you want. The Angel although busy will have loads of things for your baby to look at, the Italian Delis in Clerkenwell will provide your baby with adoration and you with lovely cheese and ham. I'd go for the nice flat

It depends what level of 'urban' you are attuned to but personally I would not want to live in Islington with a baby or toddler. There are areas that are much more family-orientated, Crouch End in particular is lovely and you will get much more for your money than Islington.

Yes, it's hard to imagine how your days will go before the baby actually gets here, but most new mothers, from the routine-lovers to the baby-wearers, would say that getting outside for a walk is one of the most important things in the early months. Also, I bet you can make the smaller flat nice, whereas you can't do much about the local area.

Lynn, i was going to say the neighborood too even before you mentioned that's ont he border of islington and clerkenwell. i lived there when my dd was born and i absoluely LOOOOOVED having a baby there. it was great. lots of lovely squares to go sit with the pram, a wonderful park (coram fields in bloomsbury) for when they're a bit older, lovely walks along the canal, tonns of activities for under ones (get in touch with local sure start), a short bus ride away from covent garden or upper street for retail therapy... plus exmouth market for mummies coffees etc :-) i made some lovely mummy friends there, really nice girls from very different walks of life.

i lived off myddelton square- does that ring a bell?

we since moved to NW london, bigger flat and a nice enough area, but i still get v sentimental about our EC1 days...

Parts of Islington are a bit questionable, we used to live in the city/clerkenwell. There is a large council estate in Islington.

Also you must remember that the nights are long at the moment, but in six months it will be dark at 4/5ish and you might feel more uncomfortable.

Go for the smaller flat, better area - with a young baby you will want to be out a lot, hopefully meeting over first time mums.

Do some research, speak to the local NCT group and see if there are any baby massage groups. Mother and toddler groups are difficult with babies I always found but there might be some groups especially for babies.

Also check out netmums
www.netmums.com/h/n/HOME/HOME/ALL/480//

thanks all. hifi: that's kind of what I thought. And though we're by NO means wealthy, the square I'm looking at appears kind of wealthy so could be a target. In the surrounding area a lot of the housing has been really run down and left looking decrepit.

I love some of the areas you've mentioned, but hubby ruled them out b/c for his sanity he needs a short commute to work with the option for not taking the tube- his 1 request and I can certainly understand. Highbury crescent may be no safer in reality, but I don't get the same uncertain "vibe" when walking through it.
witchandchips: I just don't know clerkenwell as much, but I do love italian cheese & ham! There be no safety issues here, it could just be my perception becuse of the run-down housing and kids wandering around.

Islington is fun when your single, or just a couple, but not so good when 2 become 3, in my opinion.

Highbury Cres is LOVELY, and I think you would appreciate the private garden.

Have you considered going out just a smidge further? Agree with other posters on Crouch End-moved from there just a little while ago, but miss it like mad and it really is mummy-central

Hampstead/Highgate/Primrose HIll all on my one-day wish-list, but they'd all take you up another price bracket from where you are looking now.

cross posts

Crouch End is no good if you don't want to use public transport.

But that's part of it's charm!

megbusset- Yes, I agree but husband needs to be nearer to work for right now, unfortunately!

beforesunrise: We just were making an offer on a Myddleton Sq. flat but the landlord leased it before we could! Now the flat I'm referring to is in Wilmington Square- know that area? Just a block or so away from where you were. Do I have reason for concern or am I being unnecessarily nervous?

kaz33- great advice. thanks. you're right about it being dark earlier, too.

mildmannneredjanitor: thanks for that link!

go for highbury.

although i wouldn't worry about the other place either myself, but i do live in hackney!

Go for Crouch End, very child friendly, and better valuefor money than Islington.

minky: yeah, I'm not in love w/Islington and know the farther-out areas are fantastic, but hubby really really wants to be within a short bus ride of work, so that's what it boils down to for now, since we moved here for his job.

all- i appreciate the comments. it's so helpful!

I work in EC1 - it's a fab area. There's one o'clock and mother and toddler groups nearby, and you're so close to the centre of town for huge parks, museums etc.

In terms of safety, London is a big city, and no area is immune from crime. But I've never been a victim of crime since living here, and I have lived in some, ahem, lively neighbourhoods, and still do now.

perkinwarbeck: good to know. really haven't had time (or energ, being 8 mo. pg) to explore the surrounding area and have just been put off by my own unfamiliarity and the noise/ appearance.