Muswell Hill - no tube

[RoannaDD]

Hi everyone,

We are planning on buying a family home and have been looking around. We stumbled upon Muswell Hill and really liked the area however a bit of concern with no tubes! Does anyone have experience of living there without a car? Is it easy to get around by bus?

Our DDs (7 and 9) love dancing, drama and art so would also appreciate if anyone can let me know of any classes in the area or would we have to travel somewhere else

Thanks

MH is a fantastic place to live- so many activities for dc and buses aplenty, great schools. I tend to drive everywhere with my dc who are younger than yours. Get a bus to Highgate if you need the tube.

We lived there but with a car, although parking is dreadful.
There are buses.
It is a nice area regardless of lack of tube.

Yes, it’s lovely. There’s so much for kids to do, you could get away with doing most of it in MH, Crouch End and Highgate and not really travelling at all. Buses are easy to Finsbury Park if you need the tube

The North London Performing Arts Centre is in Muswell Hill nlpac.co.uk. My son went there as a child..he;s grown up now..and it was a wonderful place then.

People that move to Muswell Hill usually do so for schools or to because of its leafy affluent character, not being on the tube isn’t an issue to most, or they are happy to cycle, walk, take the bus.
You can live on the N2 side to be Near East Finchley tube, N22 side to be near Bounds Green tube or the N10 Highgate tube side. There are lots of buses going to all these stations or you can get a bus via crouch end to Finsbury Park.
Lots of drama and art classes etc in the area.
If you say you ‘stumbled across MH’ I presume you are already sorted with schools?
Schools are one of the main reasons people move to Muswell Hill.

Found getting off the tube and then having to get a bus a real drag, particularly in the winter or late at night and feeling really tired. Moved to Bounds Green - tube and overground. Loved the walk up to Muswell Hill as recreational activity instead. Understand though schools will be your priority.

The whole point of MH is that it's not on the tube! It's only 5 - 7mins in either direction to Bounds Green or Highgate tube & you soon get used to it. Connections into town are fast & buses come every few minutes. As for dance/drama. There are loads all over. Pauline Quirk is close by and there is ballet at Ally Pally. Your main problem will be budget as the catchment areas are quite tight and houses sell quickly, often without even hitting the open market.

I see upthread, someone mentioned East Finchley tube. Be aware that crime has rocketed by that tube over the last year. It's often mentioned on the local 'Nextdoor' website.

Most people have cars in MH - it's an affluent family area and cars are more convenient than getting on a bus or doing a long walk to the tube or train, so why would they do without one? Lots of kids classes in the area but people still drive as parking is available. Most families just spend time in the local area and don't go into central very much except for work, so aren't bothered about using the tube.

Agree that you have to do very detailed research on catchments, there are some black spots and parents complaining about not getting into their nearest school.

I grew up in Muswell Hill - it's very well connected by bus and close to Highgate, East Finchley and bounds green tube. There's absolutely loads of stuff for kids to do and good schools. House prices are nuts though and always have been.

I have lived in crouch end and use to get a bus to Finsbury Park. I have moved to an area with a tube nearby and can’t say it changed my life by having a nearby tube. I actually love that crouch end and Muswell hill don’t have one as it gives it a village feel and a real sense of community. Also the buses are very good. Comes every 5-10 mins. I adore Muswell hill and would move there in a heart beat .

Yes nice area but when I visit a friend, never any parking spaces....its been bad for parking for years.

Thanks so much everyone, looks like we can get a lot of our extra curricular activities covered in the area which is great! (Sorry I have been busy dealing with two sick DDs and a sick DH ) - will have to look into all in more detail when I get a chance later inthe week