Primrose Hill, West Hampstead, Hampstead, Belsize?

[FreedomIS]

Hello,
We’ve lived in our current home for 2 years but need to move because the landlord is selling(sigh). We have to stay in North London because of the schools. Can’t move too far west or too far east. We do not have a car and use the underground mostly.

Does anyone have any advice about the villages I mentioned? More about the feel and vibe? Crime? Convenience? We know we can get a bigger house in West Hampstead but unsure about the area just because I don’t know it well. Never really go. It seemed more loud and busy when I visited.

Thanks in advance

All very nice & safe areas: WH a bit more youthful (it’s the most edgy of ones you mention but frankly not edgy at all, very middle class and attracts young people who work in Canary Wharf esp due to Jubilee Line). Hampstead & Belsize older/family, Primrose Hill is very central - lovely high st

Think about which tube line you want to be on - Northern or Jubilee to decide between I’d say

WH: not really a reason to go unless you live there or close by, but v nice pubs/bars/restaurants and it’s got choice without being too busy

Thanks! @DespairingHomeowner

I know the Jubilee line is faster. Do you think the northern line is terrible?

I heard Kilburn isn’t the best area. There are a couple homes on the westside of W Hampstead we saw but we don’t like the close proximity to Kilburn.

I like how Primrose hill is central but unsure about the community feel? And being next to regents park would be really nice.

So much depends on your budget FreedomIS and whether you want a flat or house, how many bedrooms, outside space etc.

None of these places is a village exactly although some eg Hampstead has a central point which is called 'village' for estate agents' marketing purposes!

I don’t like the N line, used to take Jubilee to work (back in the old days!). It’s realisable & fast... but it depends where you need to go I suppose

Kilburn is actually quite nice on the side roads, but Kilburn High Road is pretty awful IMO and often traffic clogged if you are using ubers: it’s not nice at all

What is your budget? I think you’d need to search to see what properties are available

I think cost wise it would be: WH, BP, HS, PH bring most expensive but I might be wrong: they are all nice and safe areas with some amenities and not too ‘urban’: if you want a peaceful neighbour hood Queens Park or parts of Brondesbury/Willesden Green (the conservation area) are nice residential areas, but less to do than places you mention

None are villages: BP & Hampstead pretty leafy though

Where are your kids schools? Are they going on the tube themselves?

I wouldn’t willingly choose the take the N line: it’s called them misery line’ for a reason, more packed in rush hour (in normal time, I’ve not been on tube since March though). Hear SD on Jubilee is ok from friends if that’s a factor

Look at bus routes too if you would consider that for kids’ schools: the area of London you mention has pretty good bus routes too

@sunshinesupermum True! Budget is decent. We'll be comfortable in these areas. We will have to compromise more to live in Primrose Hill, smaller space, maybe no garden or outdoor space.

@DespairingHomeowner Thanks for all this! I guess the Northern Line wouldn't be too terrible if it's from Chalk farm? It's 2 stops to Euston. But the Jubilee line is definitely better.

The kids' school is in belize park which might be a pain to get to from West hampstead without a car. The bus would be C11 which I heard is a nightmare. Walking would take 35 minutes from a couple houses we saw more towards Fortune Green. But W Hampstead is younger and more lively. No park nearby though.

We're hoping for convenience to school and activities, and central london. A nice community. :)

I’d be looking at BP in that case

What sort of budget/bedroom requirements are you working with? In general, I think West Hampstead and Belsize Park are on the more affordable end, and also have a busy vibe. I would actually pick West Hampstead for myself as it's super well connected with multiple tube lines & Thameslink all running through it.