Flat in Notting Hill or live outside London?

[DecidingWhatToDo]

Relationship breakdown and still working out the finances and longer-term housing.

I've been offered the chance to live short-term in a cousin's (small studio) flat at a discounted rent whilst she's overseas. It's in Notting Hill/Holland Park.

Have one ds who's flown the nest. Living in France.

It's an expensive area but is it safe? A middle-aged woman living alone? Is it affected by knife crime and gangs?

I think you will be fine down Holland Park end. I think issues are more up the north Kensington side. But you need to keep your wits about you most places in London. Go for it.

You'll be be fine.

If you were a 15 year old boy you'd have some justification to be worried about knife crime and gangs but they really aren't going to try to recruit you at your age.

Plus Holland Park / Notting Hill is really posh. You will be more bothered by rich racer boys razzing about in noisy Lamborghinis.

Wow the poster above nearly has my name. Spooky!

I wouldn't right now - most things that make London exciting, are closed and probably will be till late Easter/ spring (concerts. theatres, possibly museums too - or a pain to get in with few distanced tickets sold), possibly ok for cafes and restaurants in winter but who knows.
So if that's no avaiilable and being winter, it will not be fun living in a small studio! You can of course walk in the great parks in that area, but that's pretty much it - and food shops ar still crowded.

But in around 6 months, I would. The are is really safe if you don't walk alone late (I mean after 10pm) as it would be anywhere really. Muggings do happen in these afflient areas, but as I say not if you take basic precautions and aer around in normal hours when it's (always ) busy.

*affluent

and I meant Easter/late spring

It’s lovely, I would feel quite safe there

I live in the area and have done all my life. I am in my 50s. It is perfectly safe. I have never been attacked or mugged in the street. The people most at risk are teenage boys.

I've lived in West London for donkey's years. I started out in 1995 in Kilburn/Kensal Rise, close to Notting Hill. I'm almost 50 and I live in Chiswick now. DH had a property for years in Notting Hill. It's wonderful and vibrant and there's so much to do (or not do, if you want a more relaxing life). Really, I wouldn't worry in the least (and I say this as the mother of a grown young man who was mugged at knifepoint two years ago in Chiswick). Holland Park is absolutely wonderful. You have the Design Museum and The Leighton House which is a gem of an art museum. You're not far from Westfield shopping centre (which will be more enjoyed than you realise). You have the Gate picturehouse, Electric cinema. Oh it's a great area. And if you grow fed up of it, you can move on. But I think Notting Hill is one of those places that recharges us. You can have the excitement of London blended in with peace and quiet (something I've always loved about London- chaos on one corner, calm around the next one). It's a unique area in that regard. It can be extremely peaceful and quiet. I just hope the flat is not right on Portobello Road (Portobello market can be mayhem but fun. You wouldn't want to live above it though). Yes, in these covid times, it'll be a bit shut down, but it's not forever! Notting Hill in the springtime is glorious!

There is still more going on than anywhere else in England and it won’t be long before the restaurants, museums and theatres will be back open.

This is very true, by the way. Yes, we're in lockdown, but it's not nearly as gloomy as you might think. The wonderful thing about London is the green spaces, the parks! I have a dog, so I'm in the parks all the time. But my river walks and park wanderings really keep my spirits up. And there's always a place you can grab a takeaway coffee and croissant from and take a walk around glorious Holland Park (go see the peacocks!). Take a wander further along until you get to Kensington Gardens. Lovely!

Notting Hill Gate is perfectly safe and a great area to live in. You have Holland Park and Kensington Gardens on your doorstep plus plenty of takeaway options while we are still in lockdown. Go for it!

It's a great area and it's not true that there isn't anything going on - London is always vibrant and it's nice when it's a little quieter on the streets. So many places to explore from Notting Hill. Once the economy starts to open again you'll feel the benefit.

Gangs of young men are really not interested in middle aged women (unless you plan to get into the drugs trade?)

Your biggest risk is getting a new partner. Many many more times likely to be killed by a boyfriend than in a stabbing by a random stranger.

Just be sensible, don't wander around with an expensive mobile phone out as a quick snatching of it out of your hand is not unheard of

Nice parks nearby, restaurants and world class museums on your doorstep, everything you to could want to buy accessible by foot.

Plenty of cafes etc still open in lockdown for "takeaway" - galleries, museums and culture will reopen at some point

I’ve got a flat in Shepherds Bush and feel safe! Holland Park is swish and Notting Hill too. We go to the opera in Holland Park! Great restaurants around too. What’s not to like?!

I lived in the area (around Elgin Crescent) for 3 years and had no issues at all. It was very safe, close to the City and a lovely area. Having moved out further West to Zone 3, I really miss the time I spent in that neighborhood. The only downside was the houses are very pricey.

There is still more going on than anywhere else in England and it won’t be long before the restaurants, museums and theatres will be back open.

That's why I did say I'd do it in 6 months time - maybe 4 mnths as a minimum - when these places are open. You say a lot is going on - like what? If OP does want to follow social dostancing, she may not want to join in in any indoor events and being winter, not many gatherings/events outdoors.

Yes, we're in lockdown, but it's not nearly as gloomy as you might think. The wonderful thing about London is the green spaces, the parks!

That's why I did mention that OP will be close to several great parks! It depends whether she's a big park goer or whether that's not enough for her over the winter months. I know and love the parks, lived in Kensington for many years. I also love to just walk and sightsee, in good weather.

But to me equally important are xultural events, and these are hugey restricted and will be for mnths- yes you can go to some exhibitions or a small audience performance where you need to sit with a mask on - not everyone would enjoy it. Just a realistic picture.
Also Op didn't say the other option is countryside - takeaways aer open in any city/town currently.

I've lived in Holland Park/Notting Hill and can swear by it was the best place I lived in. Once you live there, you will hate any part of London. It's safe, it's vibrant, it's central and can walk everywhere if you have the time. You have everything at your feet and now I'm living more North London and I can't wait until my tenancy ends next year so I can move back there. Also, you have the best options for food takeouts on Deliveroo and Uber eats. I wish I could afford one of those lovely mansion houses which is why I play the lottery every week :)

I was in Londin last week and it was busy. Shops shut of course but I'd move there in a nanosecond (I am next summer after I sell my house). It's not like you are going to museums or the theatre every day - just walking around window shopping and visiting the parks would do me for now. Outdoor markets are open anyway.

There is far more going on in London than anywhere else. The museums and galleries will reopen in December, assuming lockdown is lifted; it has been much more enjoyable visiting when numbers are limited and I've never had any trouble booking a slot. Theatres were beginning to re-open; I've booked tickets for a Christmas show that I hope will still be happening. Concerts were also happening, in smaller venues; guess they'll be back too as soon as this lockdown ends. I find that the people who complain that 'everything is closed' are the ones who rarely go anywhere, anytime.
Even if lockdown lasts longer than we'd like, there's a whole city to explore. (As long as you can hold out without access to a loo!)

And middle -aged women are living alone in perfect safety all over London! It's probably safer living in a city where people are out and about than in some provincial town where everyone is in bed by 10pm because there's nowhere to go!

Yes do go to Notting Hill! It's very safe for your age group and there's plenty to do.

I used to live in the area. Personally I think it's a bit down at heel these days. Holland Park avenue in particular is really grimy, lots of undesirables wandering around due to its proximity to White City/Shepherds Bush. Mind you it's so close to Hyde Park which is a plus. Personally I much prefer Hammersmith & Fulham.

Concerts were also happening, in smaller venues; guess they'll be back too as soon as this lockdown ends
The Southbank has just announced they wil be closed for performances till Easter. Not sure about shops / cafes. I think it's naive to think that restaurants and theatres will re-open in Dec and stay that way.I'd at least wait till after Christmas to hear what the Govt's plans are.
I'm assuming as a newly single woman, Op is looking for a bit of socialising and entertainment. It's fine to spend daytime in parks / around London - if the weather is ok on those days, but what about long winter evenings?

If she can meet up with people she already knows that one thing, but if she know no one, and it's hard to meet new people atm, then I'd postpone my London stay till spring. In different circs (like you aer not new to it / have friends / have pets / would enjoy a lot of time to yoursel and not bothered re meeting people) - I would say go for it, but Op didn't specify any of these.

*Once you live there, you will hate any part of London(

bit strong! Why would you hate Chelsea or South Ken, for example? Some people love Islington/Upper St. Some love a more down to earth Stoke N as was covered on threads on MN.