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!

you can get the hornsey overground straight to moorgate from crouch end.

lynn, i think Wilmington Square is lovely and in a really good position. personally i have always felt very very safe around there- i wouldn't call it rough by any stretch of the imagination. what i really really liked abut that little corner of London is that it feels extremely "urban" and cosmopolitan without being gritty. it is close to absolutely everything (the city, covent garden, the west end, islignton, regents park etc are all but a really short walk or bus ride away).
there are lots of useful shops and supermarkets (both in islington and bloomsbury, the new brunswick centre is amazing check it out) and smaller independent ones. also lots of excellent bars and restaurants most of them extremley child friendly (in exmouth market you can take your baby anywhere, including the seemingly posher places- they're all italian)

i shoudl think that coming from New York you would really appreciate that aspect of life as i know that for many americans and continental europeans some of the more residential parts of london can be a bit suburban iyswim. i am italian myself so i had that experience.

all of this is extremely persona btw but if i had the choice i wouldn't hesitate for a second and would go for ec1 over n5 any time.

(if you do move there- sign up to the Amwell practice gp surgery that's where i met all my mummy friends during baby clinic. the local sure start is very well organised and they have a "New Kids on the Block" group for new mums whcih is a godsend, plus free baby massage classes, music sessions at sadlers wells etc etc

OK- I SWEAR i am not on the council payroll lol!!

ps - if your DH wants to walk/bus to work, then what about somewhere just south of the river? borough in particular is lovely, and there's lots on for parents and children.

i forgot to add, welcome to london and feel free to email me if you have any questions!

turniphead1: hadn't even considered Stroud Green. Love Victorian houses- great! really worth checking into and thx for link.

beforesunrise: any chance i could email you? would love to ask you about the particular square since you used to live right by it.

Where is he working? Highbury nice for kids: Stoke Newington also not that far away (and good bus/train links) and v good for families (not that I am biased )

with Stroud Green you have to be careful exactly where - as Turnip says it morphs into Finsbury Park sharpish (NOT so good).

office is at city rd/old st. heard great things about St Newington, but again, he thinks it's too far (plus we won't have a car...)

two good bus services from Stokey to Old Street. We don't have a car and manage v well. Clissold Park is lovely and there is lots to do with babies (swimming classes, yoga, the lot).

Can you come and have a look round a few places? There are lots of MNers in N London if you want to meet a few random people for coffee

beforesunrise: thanks for your thoughts. It helps ease my mind about the area- like I mentioned, I don't think it's "rough" in comparison, I just wanted to be aware if it's a known "problem" pocket with lots of rowdy kids, noise, etc.
You're right in that I'd go into shock if I lived in too much of a suburban-feeling area- I'm just not used to it being from nyc.

Great advice about the Amwell baby clinic- so helpful! Thank you tons!

effieperine: i think i will look around there today- maybe take a walk to get a feel for it.
And it would be nice to meet some mums for coffee- should I head to a particular meet-up board here?

The Spence cafe on Church St is nice - I recommend the chocolate brioche

I think there was a recent meet up thread for N London, but I couldn't make the last one. Maybe start a thread for mums in N London?

DH cycles to work every day at London Bridge from Crouch End and it tkes 35 mins, also the busses are great to Finsbury Park, or he could take a 5 min bus or walk up to Highgate station then straight on the Northern Line. No tube keeps the riff raff out! ......or the Hornsey overland train goes straight in to Old Street:

I am masquerading as a Stokey mum - am actually Stamford Hill, still N16 but not as fashionable

OK, tht didn't work, but key in Crouch End to Old Street, and it's the option for only one train journey and takes 34 mins: here

turniphead: great details- thanks a ton for the list- now I know at least what exactly to look at on the flat search sistes.
I too have had property obsession over my past frantic 2-wk search.
appreciate all the kindness!

effie: I will travel for good brioche thx!

lol at us all elbowing each other out of the way

NO LIVE NEAR MEEEE

don't live near me

There is good brioche in Crouch End!!! here!