Where should we move to in North London

[ParsleyTheLion1]

We are renting on the Archway road side of Highgate at the moment (because it's close to my mum and where I grew up so I know and like the area). We're looking to buy a house but are priced out of Highgate (obviously) and, to our dismay, Crouch End/East Finchley and Muswell Hill too. So now we're looking further north, to areas I don't really know well at all. Like Totteridge & Whetstone, Woodside Park, Barnet, Southgate.
But I'm a bit nervous of moving there, afraid that there isn't the same "community" feel, that I will feel isolated in suburbia (with a 14 month old) etc. Please can people let me know their experiences of these areas and what I might expect? Thanks

It's nice but it looks like there's only really one, fairly small space to 'hang out' (the living room). Kitchen would be too small to count as a 'living space'.

That house in Woodside Park is nice, but its pretty suburban round there. Not close to the shops for me

North Finchley
This one is on the same road as a lovely park and considered a prime road in the area. 5 min walk to North Finchley high street and about 15 min walk / less than 5 min drive to Woodside Park tube.
North Finchley 2
This needs a fair bit of work but it is on a prime road in the area, leafy with big houses, but has a Sainsbury's and the library on the end of the street and the high street is a 3 min walk, tube 10 mins.

Thanks BrokenApril. We are going to see North Finchley 1.... might give North Finchley 2 a butchers too. Difficult for me to see beyond the wear & tear and envisage a nice place.
Some cr-cr-crazy wall paints there!
What do you think of the North Finchley high st? Family friendly?

Its a bit rough around the edges, aesthetically, the high street - but its definitely improving and definitely family friendly.

As someone said upthread, its teeming with ex Crouch/Muswell/East Finch/Highgate types .

Because of that, though, it can be tricky to find a 'ready to move into' home, as a lot of the properties are Edwardian and have been 'pre-loved' by long time residents...so crazy wallpaper and crusty kitchens a-go-go! But for your full budget, you could def find something pristine if you have a scout about and keep checking.

We bought in the area a few years ago and the house was hideous and needed a lot of work, but for the size of property/garden and the general vibe of the area, I'd say it was well worth it. Our house has doubled in value in 8 years, too. And more and more young families are moving in and giving their properties Farrow and Ball treatment . Ours is a 4 bed Edwardian semi with big garden on a good road, close to the High Street, and the house is decent nick. Its was valued at around 950k not long ago, so your budget is more than healthy.

Schools are good up here, too. And its pretty quick on the tube into central London. Just over 20 mins to Euston. A hop and a skip on the Northern Line to Camden/Kentish Town.

Social life in the evenings is still a bit dismal. The Bohemia pub has made some in-roads in to giving the place a bit of decent character pub action. There is a strong community vibe between the small business owners up here, though, and a lot of pressure has been put on Barnet council to regenerate the High Street.

Thanks BrokenApril. I checked out the ArtsDepot prog (had never heard of the place before) and was delighted to find that a play I've wanted to see that's on in the West End is going there for a few days in the Spring. That gave me heart.
That said, since having a baby going out in the evening is such a rare treat I suppose it doesn't really matter that the night life leaves a little to be desired....

Can I jump onto this thread and ask you what you think about this house in Southgate?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54520748.html

It is in quite bad decorative conditions, the photos must be photoshopped.

Thanks!

I remember seeing that house online Ididthattoo, only it had slightly different pics. It looks nice. And I remember thinking the road it's on looks really nice.
Are you saying you know the house and it doesn't live up to the pics? If so, that's not unusual at all I've discovered....plenty of place promise more than they deliver.
Just got sent this 'alert' from Rightmove:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58004879.html?premiumA=true
looks soooo nice but just too north of our budget. boo.

Yes I also wanted advice as we might be interested (ignore the under offer). Question for Southgate mumsnetters, is it worth the asking price (or more)?

That house in Southgate has loads of potential. It's also on one of the most sought-after roads - great location for schools, transport links, shops etc. If it doesn't need structural work, just re-decorating (throughout!), then it looks like a good price!

This one is on one of my favourite roads in Southgate.

This looks gorgeous - loads of period features, although the kitchen seems disproportionately small. We live in an Edwardian not far from this and our kitchen is tiny - I don't think it was a priority 110 years ago!!

Tbk, the first one is under offer and the second is quite far from the tube. How is Southgate as an area? I have never really considered it, would have loved Highgate or Kentish Town but it is unlikely to happen. Is the high street a bit rough?

Just rang to enquire about the first one you mention tkband and it's under offer now apparently.

The second one is probably about a 15 minute walk from the tube (although there are buses from each end of the road that would take you there in 5 minutes). It's also a similar distance down to Palmers Green station, which is on the overground line into Moorgate - takes 20 minutes.

Southgate is fine...I'd rather live in Highgate, but who wouldn't? . It's certainly no rougher than Kentish Town. You get groups of school children from the local secondaries wandering down the high street but they're not threatening. I wouldn't walk around in the dark on my own, but then I wouldn't do that anywhere I don't think! It's a nice family area - lots of people move up this way when they're priced out of Muswell Hill/Crouch End/Highgate.

The second one is on the parallel road to the first one. They're both on a lovely Edwardian estate called the Lakes Estate which is now a conservation area. Well worth keeping an eye out for houses around there if you like period homes. Lots still have original features.

Hi, the house you liked on the Mall is back for sale (it was under offer with Kfh). If you want to make an offer I have some info I can give you.

Thanks. Did you make an offer on it Ididthattoo?
I would like to go and see it.

No but I know what the previous offer was. Only I can't reveal my sources

Move to High Barnet! I love it here. we used to live in Crouch End, and moved for space, but honestly (commute aside) I prefer it here now. Lovely community feel, great schools if you can pay to be near them (which with that budget you can), secondary a bit trickier especially if you have boys but lots of good selective options.
We have a Carluccios and a Melange now with lots of new restaurants coming and right next to open countryside.
And you always get a seat on the tube!

What about Bounds Green? It's by the tube, near Alexander Palace and a 5 min bus ride from Muswell Hill on the no. 102

There are loads there and on the Ally Pally borders which are within your budget.

Here is just one.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-40047228.html

joanneg36 it sounds nice! So it has a sort of 'centre' where you might like to walk (as opposed to just drive through or drive in and out of to pick up essentials)?
I will go check it out.
What is Melange?
DontkillMyVibe does Bounds Green have a centre? Whats it like?

Yes it has a centre with a Waitrose and all the usual shops - not as posh as Muswell hill or Crouch End but getting posher by the day - and imo a nicer feel than Finchley etc.
Sorry, Melange is a restaurant which also has a branch in Crouch End!

Although around here there's a waitrose every mile or so

We are in the process of buying a house just over in Stroud Green - similar budget to you, and are getting (fingers crossed we exchange next week - shouldn't really jinx it!) a lovely end-of terrace Victorian 4 bed with a nice garden for that money. It's not super done-up but needs no work doing really - we'll probably do one room at a time and are moving straight in. Would you consider moving over east a bit? We were originally looking in Holloway/Tufnell Park, but if you move that little bit further out towards Finsbury Park the houses are a bit better value, and Finsbury Park is a great station (not to mention the park itself.)

I got emailed this in the property alert and felt my first pang of regret for being out of the running...it's a bit 'different' but I think it's lovely! and pretty close to where you live now. We looked at a few houses on the other side of FP within 5 mins of tube, Blackstock Rd area, the typical 4 bed terraced houses ranged from about 1 to 1.35m IIRC.

Also bear in mind that come the stamp duty changes in April, it's possible that prices will dip slightly or at least that there will be less competition for the houses. Lots of ppl with a rental property or 2 desperately trying to complete before April!

Or something like this? It has been on for a while - I'd be very surprised if it goes for the asking price. This one is a bit smaller but looks lovely and is well in your budget. I love Stroud Green - it's sort of safe and leafy with schools and nice restaurants, but there are loads of vibrant, multicultural areas a few minutes' walk away.