Anyone live in West Hampstead or Kilburn?

[IlanaK]

Our flat is back on the market again (Marylebone) and still trying to pick another area to live in.

I am now looking at Kilburn/West Hampstead. It looks like I can afford a 3 bed garden flat in West Hampstead, or a 3 bed house in Kilburn.

Does anyone live in these areas and can tell me about them? I know the areas nearby like Swiss Cottage but not those areas.

Thanks!

All these London Mumsnetters and no-one knows the area??

I lived in kilburn about 8 years ago and loved it, really convenient for transport. You have really convenient shopping within a 10 minute walk of most streets. But that was in flat-sharing pre-children days.

I seem to remember there being lots of families with young children, especially more towards Queens Park. But I have no experience of living there with a family.

West Hampstead has handsome looking property but I don't like the way the railway track divides the area.
Kilburn is a dump. Sorry.

Thanks. nkf, do you live there?

My mother in law used to.

Livedin Kilburn a few years ago, really liked it. Although there are bits which are a bit rough around the edges it's definitely not a 'dump' anymore. Lots of trendy bars opened just as I was leaving. Not sure what it would be like with children though - no idea about schools etc

I agree it's not as wealthy as West Hampstead, but what's your definition of a dump?

Kilburn has some lovely archetecture, as well as some tattier looking buildings. The highstreet is not as upmarket as Westhampstead. I would say it's more interesting by far than Swiss cottage.

I didn't find it a bad place to live, and we ended up moving to Willesden because we were priced out of Kilburn

Sorry. That was probably a bit harsh. I just remember that high street as being grim.

kilburn is a sh8thole. likely to get worse as recession bites. west hampsted is much nicer if you are on the right side of it (i.e the hampstead side). lots of people say west hampstead but actually live in Kilburn.

If you can afford West Hampstead then don't even consider Kilburn. I agree with those who say it's a dump. It is quite urban and gritty but it's run down, rough and I don't feel particularly safe living round there. West Hampstead is lovely but it's pricey and the parking is crap but it's perfect for young families. Either location you'll more than likely need to consider private schooling though as there are few decent state schools and those that are good are massively oversubscribed.

My friend and I used to go dancing ceroc at a dancehall in Kilburn's High Street two years ago and you won't believe the rubbish and drunks in the street (I didn't feel that threatened, I used to live in Hackney, which was grittier, but it was a bit rundown). That said, there are streets off the high street that have nice houses, more towards Queens Park.