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

You say Muswell Hill is out of your price range, but have you looked at the Durnsford Park area not too far away? The school there Alexandra Park School is very up and coming. Bounds Green closest tube probably.

Thanks all. No, I didn't know the Durnsford Park Area. Will look it up.
Looking like we might be going to Whetstone now....

Yes. Not too far from Bounds Green tube, or Alexandra Palace overground. Not too far from Muswell Hill. A little south of the North Circular. Nice little park, good playground, tennis courts, cafe. Edwardian houses. Good primary school, good secondary school. Worth checking out.

I recommend Finchley Central (n3 near Finchley villiage) or West Finchley or Hampstead garden surburb(n2 or nw11)

How about north east? Clapton, Stoke newington and hackney have fantastic communities with so many family friendly cafes/pubs, beautiful parks and children's centres!