Any views on Bruce Grove or Blackhorse Lane for a summer intern?

[BrianBlessed01]

Hi everyone. My friend's son (aged 20) is coming to London for an internship in the summer. He grew up in the States but both parents Brits (relevant, because he has family in the UK) and needs somewhere to live. Does anyone know anything about Bruce Grove or Blackhorse Lane please, and any recommendations/warnings would be welcome. He doesn't really know anyone in London apart from me and my sons (who live in a completely different area) and family live outside the city so he needs to be somewhere OK during the week. Would be so grateful for any input.

It's in Tottenham. That's an area of high crime. All the bad things that happen in London happen quite often in this area.

However, it's also an area of gentrification. You have fantastic 24hr travel links all over London, to the airports and beyond. It's very diverse. There's a growing Latino/Hispanic/Portuguese speaking community in the area and that has brought different restaurants and stuff.

Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium is on your doorstep. There are so many events of all types there as well of course Tottenham home games (soccer). Alexandra Palace is a short bus ride away and has all sorts of events as well as great views on the hill and a huge park.

Tottenham is in the borough of Haringey. So is Crouch End and Muswell Hill. These are the more affluent areas of Haringey. The area and borough itself offers so much in the way of parks, a range of activities, forests (you can't hunt or anything!).

Pics are from Alexandra Palace and other places within walking distance of Bruce Grove.

That's so kind of you to take the time, thank you! Will relay to my friend. Feel someone who was older/more familiar with the UK/London might adjust better to all these considerations than her son (who is lovely but has grown up in a distinctly 'non-gritty' environment).

Those pics are off my phone. I live nearby.

If he needs to live close to Bruce Grove (that's actually Tottenham), he could live in Crouch End or Muswell Hill. Even Bounds Green. Those are all very nearby but lower crime rate.

Blackhorse Lane is actually in a different neighbouring borough, Waltham Forest. But they are really close by relatively speaking. I mean it's a longish walk but walkable. About 15 mins on a bus. If that's where he needs to be, he could actually go to the other side of Walthamstow around the sort of Wood Street/Upper Walthamstow area. It's less gritty but the "grit" is still accessible should one want to venture to the 'hood on a weekend.

@GlovedhandsCecilia What a load of rubbish - it’s perfectly ok. It’s a young area and quite racially mixed. Nowhere in Tottenham is a no go type of area. If he cannot afford a cafe culture area, where else would he go? Money will dictate where.

I didnt say it is a no go area. I said it has a high crime rate. I live next door!

Why those areas in particular?
Blackhorse Lane is quite a cool place to life as it’s next to Walthamstow’s “brewery mile”. There’s lots going on around there that would keep a 20yo entertained. It’s got easy access to the Victoria Line plus the overground.
Bruce Grove is a bit nowhere, really. Easy access to the overground to Liverpool Street, but much less going on. I think it’s probably got a higher crime rate too.

Another local opinion if it helps?

Bruce Grove is high crime, a bit rough round the edges (the London riots of 2011 started just up the high street), however that makes it lower cost while it busily gentrifies. But it’s definitely busy and sociable for young urbanites.

As @GlovedhandsCeciliasays, Haringey is a v diverse area. Much of London is, rough patches rubbing up against more affluent areas. It’s part of its charm but might be a bit of a culture shock if someone is a used to more ‘naice’ places to stay.

Blackhorse Road has loads of blocks of flats pop up recently, nice pubs and near the wetlands which is lovely. But ultimately, it’ll be determined by costs as it always is.

Hope that helps!

Thanks so much everyone, much appreciated. He's going to be working in Harlow so his mum is looking for somewhere near Tottenham Hale station (I think Liverpool St, where his trains will originate will be too expensive).

I live in Blackhorse Road - of course (as with everywhere in London) you need to be a bit cautious heading back from the tube late (and drunk!) but it’s a lovely area. Would be fun for a 20 year old, excellent transport and lots to do. There’s phone snatching outside the station if safety is the biggest concern - but it’s grabbing phones and running not violence.

personally I’d pick it over Bruce Grove (which I don’t know well) any day, but I would prefer some streets/places more than others within what’s probably now described as Blackhorse Road

I’d definitely say Blackhorse Lane, then. Victoria line (or very easy bike ride) to Tottenham Hale station. Unless he’s got a burning desire to live near the Spurs stadium, he’ll have much more fun in Walthamstow

Phone snatching is a big issue in Tottenham too. You need to be savvy wherever you are!

If he's going to be working in Harlow, why doesn't he live there?

Saw this place this morning. Right opposite the station. Altham it is called.

😬

@BrianBlessed01So you are saying he wants to live in London, and not Harlow? How will he socialise with work
mates? Seems a slightly odd thing to do,.

He doesn't know anyone in Harlow (yet) and being in London will make it easier to visit family in Suffolk/Yorkshire I guess.