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Original poster

What is Tottenham Hale N17 like to live? House swap

55 replies

SingleMommaBoss · 14/08/2023 22:26

My children (DD 10 and DS 8) and I live in a council house in the southwest. It’s a two bed in a quiet area. I love it here, but both children have special needs and I have been trying to get them their own bedroom. I have someone from N17 interested in a house swap. It’s a 3bed house with an additional toilet downstairs (helpful with children’s needs).

My question is, what is the area really like? I know I can easily find work in my field there. Also, I might have more support from friends who live in London. I have been researching the area, but the media and posts seems to focus mainly on negatives… I understand that there is more than that. I just wanted to know what is it really like from people who live there. I have moved a lot since living in England and if I was by myself it would be great… but now as a single mother with the children I have questions regarding schools, safety etc.

I know it would be a big change. We are very sheltered here. It’s a small quiet village. I know that the children would have a different experience and view of life… More opportunities, more cultural exposure, different activities… but I also would like them to feel happy and safe.
I would really appreciate if I could just have opinions or any advice. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
HangingOver · 14/08/2023 22:28

I felt scared walking around there at night, especially down more towards 7S.

Circumferences · 14/08/2023 22:36

I lived in Tottenham Hale, that's why I've clicked on to your post.
To be fair, I only lived there for 1 year when I was a 20 something student- (20 years ago 😂) before moving to Camden.

So my opinion may be completely irrelevant now.

While I was a 20 something student I got my bagged snatched in broad daylight with my wallet etc in it, my boyfriend at the time got mugged at knifepoint, we had a mouse infestation in the house share

and all the local food outlets

Circumferences · 14/08/2023 22:40

Sorry, posted too soon.

The food outlets were all fried chicken places or kebabs, there is no child friendly outdoor places unless you want to travel miles on the tube.

Everything even a takeaway pizza is about 3X the price in London. You can't find parking. If you're used to driving, it's really expensive to insure your car somewhere like Tottenham Hale with a high crime rate....

I could go on....

Howtohideasausage · 14/08/2023 22:40

Whereabouts? Is it the Ferry Lane estate or the Victorian houses that are near the retail park?

Original poster
SingleMommaBoss · 14/08/2023 22:46

Howtohideasausage · 14/08/2023 22:40

Whereabouts? Is it the Ferry Lane estate or the Victorian houses that are near the retail park?

Fairbanks, by Monument Way.

OP posts:
GreenestValley · 14/08/2023 22:53

It really depends what type of person you & family are and what sort of life you want to lead.

it will be busier, noisier, more expensive, feel a bit more stressful. As other posters say likely more crime although dependent on where you’re living now, possibly not.

but it will also be a more varied environment, with a broader diversity of people with whom to interact, range of activities for your children, foods available and culture to be exposed to.

if that feels like a fair swap to you - do it

Howtohideasausage · 14/08/2023 22:55

Ok, I know where you mean. Have you looked on street view? I would say that’s not the loveliest part of the area. You’re very near the massive road which you’d have to cross to get to the retail park. You’re near the Tottenham high street.
I live near(ish) and have taught around that area for years. A load of flats have been built but I wouldn’t say it’s ‘up and coming’. I wasn’t necessarily going to be negative as TH is very well connected on public transport and there’s a massive wetlands nearby, but I think that estate is a bit hit and miss.

Howtohideasausage · 14/08/2023 22:55

Not a relaxing area.

Original poster
SingleMommaBoss · 14/08/2023 22:56

Thank you for your input.

The house there is perfect for us -some decorating but I did it here and I can do it there… I also would love to have more support and we are very isolated here.

I think my biggest worry is safety because one of my children can be so easily influenced due his special needs - He believes in anything anyone says. We work on that but he only see the best in people… I know he is young, but I worry of him getting involved in anything dodgy when he grows up if he doesn’t change.

OP posts:
Original poster
SingleMommaBoss · 14/08/2023 23:06

Howtohideasausage · 14/08/2023 22:55

Ok, I know where you mean. Have you looked on street view? I would say that’s not the loveliest part of the area. You’re very near the massive road which you’d have to cross to get to the retail park. You’re near the Tottenham high street.
I live near(ish) and have taught around that area for years. A load of flats have been built but I wouldn’t say it’s ‘up and coming’. I wasn’t necessarily going to be negative as TH is very well connected on public transport and there’s a massive wetlands nearby, but I think that estate is a bit hit and miss.

thank you. I did look on street view… it does look like a building site! I am thinking about going to visit the area when I get some time off.

its like chalk and cheese… we are in a lovely area, super quiet, nice neighbours… but everything is far. I drive everywhere to do anything. Transport is non reliable, we don’t have much around and the children activities are limited. It’s a hard choice I lost sleep the last couple of nights trying to rationalise and make a decision.

OP posts:
MangoMandy · 14/08/2023 23:10

Honestly, I don’t think it sounds like a good fit for you, if you’re used to a quiet village and want to prioritise a safe environment for your DS. I love Tottenham- it’s a diverse area with a great sense of community and lots going on- but it’s also an area with high poverty and high crime. In your shoes, I wouldn’t agree to move without spending some time in the area.

Howtohideasausage · 14/08/2023 23:11

Ok, if your child is easily led then I think it might not be ideal. As part of my work in the area (North and South Tottenham), I’ve done a fair bit in schools about gangs and knife crime. Now to be clear, I live nearby and have children and I feel safe, but there is a problem with gangs in that area targeting vulnerable children.

I don’t want to do the area down completely, but are there other options? Are there any houses in Walthamstow or Leytonstone?

BetsyBobbins · 14/08/2023 23:16

I apologise in advance to the people of Tottenham but it's an absolute shithole of the highest order. Avoid, avoid, avoid

cordiality · 14/08/2023 23:16

I think it's alright. I've never lived outside London though, so I don't have much to compare it to.
I've been round that way a lot recently as I work on building sites and there are some smart new high rises being built. It's near a big new tube station. There's a small park that looks nice. I hear the Harris Academy there is a v good school.
However I don't know anything about the actual estate, or crime, or what it's like to live there.
I'm not sure growing up in any part of London would be ideal for an easily influenced child...

ElleEmmDee · 14/08/2023 23:18

That has got to be one of the worst places to live for an impressionable kid from the sticks who isn’t remotely streetwise. And for you too not being knowledgeable about London. I have friends who live round there (having lived in London for decades) and they’ve been mugged on their own street in the middle of the day. Even at home during the day they’re worried about leaving the back door or kitchen window open if they’re upstairs. The area is intense and edgy, and you have to keep your wires about you which is exhausting. Also air quality fairly dire, light pollution and noise pollution too. I think it would be a big mistake. Look elsewhere!

ElleEmmDee · 14/08/2023 23:18

*wits about you

StillWantingADog · 14/08/2023 23:24

I would not move from a quiet nice area of the southwest to Tottenham Hale in any circs whatsoever! Sorry

firestarter2023 · 14/08/2023 23:28

BetsyBobbins · 14/08/2023 23:16

I apologise in advance to the people of Tottenham but it's an absolute shithole of the highest order. Avoid, avoid, avoid

😭have to agree. Don't do it to yourself or your kids.

Nowifi · 14/08/2023 23:29

Do not move to Tottenham. My cousin with young children actively moved away from there to the south west funnily enough as he didn't want to bring his children up there.

Nowifi · 14/08/2023 23:30

It's strange as it actually used to be really nice area in the 60s (parents lived there) but avoid avoid avoid

Original poster
SingleMommaBoss · 14/08/2023 23:32

ElleEmmDee · 14/08/2023 23:18

*wits about you

He is definitely not streetwise, although he wouldn’t get a chance to be living here because is like a little bubble… He is likely to be on the spectrum and ADHD (waiting final assessment). He is only 8, but does not grasp cues in communication ie. Jokes, when someone is mocking him or telling something to lead him on… he thinks every one is his friend even when they just said hello walking by. Adding to that he can be quite explosive with emotions and impulsive.

so thinking about that it’s totally a bad fit

but…

we have little children activities here that could help him. Our circle is very small. School is my only support (family are all back in my home country). I would love him and my daughter (also referred by school assessment for ADHD) to have experiences and opportunities. I feel that if they stay in this bubble they, specially DS, will never learn how to have an independent life.

however not at the cost of them being unsafe.

OP posts:
MangoMandy · 14/08/2023 23:38

It doesn’t have to be Tottenham or stay where you are. There are lots of other places in the country. There are lots of places in London that would be a better fit for you.

LovelyAutumndays · 14/08/2023 23:51

Don't do it. Tottenham is a rough area. Think
about why that person is willing to give up their house.
Also if your have children with additional needs then inner London is not a great place for them to grow up. London is also very expensive
My children have additional needs and I'm now leaving London because London is too busy and noisy for them.

Original poster
SingleMommaBoss · 14/08/2023 23:52

MangoMandy · 14/08/2023 23:38

It doesn’t have to be Tottenham or stay where you are. There are lots of other places in the country. There are lots of places in London that would be a better fit for you.

You are right….

I have been trying for a 3bed for a while now… most people want to have more space and it’s so rare to find someone who is to be up for downsizing.

I might just have to keep looking 🤷🏽‍♀️

OP posts:
ElleEmmDee · 14/08/2023 23:57

I understand your reasons for wanting to move, but this would be making a bad situation worse. If you need to stay put until another option comes along there may be other ways to give the kids ‘experiences and opportunities’? It would be really scary to try and help them learn to be more independent in such an environment as TH. I think you would need to supervise much more and they would need to be older to be allowed to do things independently compared to safer neighbourhoods.

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