Bounds Green or Friern Barnet

[SingSangSung]

Any thoughts on these two areas?

School catchment not an issue, as ours are in local schools we could reach from either location.

We've seen nice properties around the BG Scout Park and near Friern Barnet School.

BG feels closer to some nice places like the shops around Ally Pally and walkable to Muswell Hill, while FB feels just that bit farther removed. We'd like a nice community feel with things to do that don't require driving everywhere. Close access to the tube is a plus for BG as from FB I think it would be a bus to a train/tube.

I'm leaning towards Bounds Green while DH would be happy to get more for our money in FB. Would love to hear thoughts from people who have lived in either place. Thank you.

We live in FB. We love it. Loads of fabulous parks nearby, area is fairly quiet (although there have been a rising number of crimes in Whetstone and North Finchley, but I suppose you could say that about anywhere in London).

Literally ten mins drive and you are in Barnet and the Hertfordshire countryside. Five min drive to Totteridge common etc, like the best of both worlds! Lots for kids/young people to do, very family oriented.

You are right about it being a pain to get to the tube, we rarely use it, but it's a five min bus to Whetstone and then a five min walk to the tube.

I hadn't thought of Whetstone as an option for the tube but that makes sense. Woodside Park station doesn't seem that easy to get to, I think it's just one bus going down there?

Nice to know you find it family friendly. My children are late primary age. Are there any specific activities/groups you'd recommend?

Does much of anything happen in Friern Barnet village or do you go to North Finchley, Whetstone, etc?

I'm also wondering what sort of chance, if any, we have of getting into local schools in-year if we decided we did want to switch. Is Wren pretty much impossible?

Thank you!

Definitely T&W if you want the tube, Woodside Park is a total bitch to get to!

Not really sure about Friern Village, lots going on in Whetstone/North Finchley, and currently got a pre-schooler so can't comment specifically about stuff for older kids. I know there is Park Run every Sunday in Friary Park, lots of places run different sports/arts/dance/music classes nearby, spoilt for choice really!

Wren is very oversubscribed and is THE school that everyone wants. However, I have a bit of insider information and it is not as amazing as everyone thinks it is.

Lots of other good schools in the area - Compton, Totteridge Academy, Ark. further afield there are good schools in East Finchley, such as Archer Academy.