Where would you choose? Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Southgate

[Mumtobe0204]

Just that really.

I found 4 properties I like.

MH - between coldfall wood and colney hatch lane

CE - Harringay ladder or just next to Harringay overground

Southgate - on hampden way.

I commute to central London for work. Farringdon/chancery lane.

Primary schools are important.

I should add that MH and CE propties are much smaller than Southgate. But I don't necessarily need space. It just me and toddler. I don't go out much. Safety and kids activities, groups, parks are more important.

It’s been a few years since I lived that way (I don’t know Southgate) but I’d go for MH over the ladder - it always seems a bit congested around there with tightly packed parked cars and traffic around Turnpike Lane. I think MH has nicer shops and restaurants and Ally Pally for kids to run around and bike in? I guess MH probably feels a bit leafier and suburban , but also close to the north circular.

The Harringay ladder isn’t Crouch End!

MH very nice😊 loads of parks and woods👍

Friern Barnet is close to north Circular MH isn't

And MH very cosmopolitan, Southgate defo isn't!

Muswell Hill without a doubt.

@wavingfuriously really? It used to take us about a 5 min drive from MH broadway to the NC up Colney Hatch lane. Always seemed close to me!

MH and CE are both lovely, although I wouldn't call Harringay Ladder CE. Depends where you mean really- MH proper is great, up by the north circular less so. CE proper is great but not so nice as go further east.
I would be tempted to prioritise location over space.

What's your budget and what do you need?

Hate to break it to you, but the Harringay Ladder is NOT Crouch End. Estate agents label it as that as part of the gentrification, so it appeals to those priced out of CE itself. It's still a lovely, friendly neighbourhood with two great primaries and a strong sense of community spirit, but CE it is most definitely not!

Also, the area between Coldfall and Colney Hatch Lane is bus ride from MH central and closer to the North Circular than it is MH. The local primary is okay, not great.

This.

Green Lanes is a lovely area (or was when I lived there) but it's not Crouch End. Way better placed for the tube though that the other two.

Muswell hill. The woods in all directions are such beautiful places for toddler wandering, lots of schools, easy commute via Highgate tube.

I wouldn't do Harringay by the overground if you're considering it because of what you've read about Crouch End. They're different places & nothing like each other.

I was about to add that. As a lone parent with a toddler, you might actually find the Ladder the best fit. It's close to Turnpike Lane on the Piccadilly Line, or you can go on an overground train from Hornsey Station and it's full of families – there are two great primaries (one with a pool!), lots of nurseries and parks within walking distance. You're close enough to walk/bus to both CE and MH and it's a lot cheaper than both. It's just a bit rougher round the edges by comparison.

Nah, seems close in the car

My budget is around 600k-650k. I need 2 bedrooms and a decent size reception room/office space as I sometimes work from home plus all toys need space as well and a garden would be a massive plus.

I was looking at some maisonettes in both MH and CE which very lovely and maybe what I should go for.

But then if I go a bit further I may be able to get a freehold property rather than a lease hold.

These are the areas i was lookig at:

1.www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147743996#/?channel=RES_BUY

2.www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143138210#/?channel=RES_BUY

3.www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146821229#/?channel=RES_BUY

The N8 one is actually in Crouch End/Hornsey, not the Harringay Ladder. That would be my choice, it's a great location AND it's in the catchment for one of the best primaries in the entire borough, Weston Park. That's a no brainer for me!

I would go for the one in N8- we used to live round the corner - it's not great for transport though - but cracking community feel I used to get the bus (very regular) to Finsbury Park and then the tube. Lovely inside too - personally I loved Crouch End - very fond memories as our son was born at the Whittington when we lived there - I loved MH too - hard to pick- both nice -

I used to live in that area of MH, it’s a right pain the arse for commuting because it’s a least 20-25 minutes on the bus to Highgate. You’ll have a good walk to the bus stop as well.

If you don’t go in everyday it’s ok but I would try to live closer to East Finchley or Bounds Green if I could help it.

There are some streets between Hornsey High Street and Alexandra Palace (so Crouch End borders) that have a lot of maisonettes with gardens. This is one of the streets: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/property/london/north-view-road/

I came to say this!

Hampden Way is a bit of a race track, I wouldn't live on it.

Actually went to see that one. I believe it is gone now. But I do look at that bit as well.