Northern London areas for living

wyx087

wyx087

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I work in Luton, my wife will be working in central London, so I figure the best place for us to buy would be a house in northern London. I can drive up the M1 and she can take the tube into work.

Which line is less busy during rush hours, out of Northern line, Piccadilly or Bakerloo?

Where would be the best place to buy a house?

I had been looking at:
- Edgware/Burnt Oak
- Brent Cross
- Finchley area
- Wembley area
- Southgate

Budget is flexible, but we can't really afford Hampstead prices as nice as the area looks. Good neighbourhood is essential, I've no idea which area is safe to walk home for a young lady at 9pm in the evening and which area is unsafe.
 
Have you looked at the First Capital Connect / Thameslink service into London from Luton??

When it's running OK its a fast service, but will be a bit expensive, I suppose it depends on exactly where your Wife works as one of the tube lines might be more suitable.

The areas you have noted above will all contain most types of housing/social mixes, often quite close to each other, a trawl through the crime stats might help.

I would say all of those tube lines are going to busy in rush hour, getting on the train at the terminus will probably get you a seat any time, so I would be looking further out, and don't forget to scope your journey to the M1 as there are plenty of pinch points in North London that have queuing traffic from about 6.30am onwards no matter which direction you are going in.

HTH

David
 
I've taken the rush hour Thameslink a few times, it's quite crowded.

Besides, I would rather have her commute less, I really can't cook! I don't mind driving for a bit. Unfortunately we can't afford a central London house.

Is there anything in particular to look for with the police crime stats? All areas seem to have high percentage of anti-social behaviour, I think that's expected with so many youth on the streets, besides, it's better than theft or mugging.
 
They are all going to be busy, you wont escape it on the tubes at rush hour, although she will at least get a seat if somewhere near the end of the tube line. I would also add high barnet to your list, end of the northern line, over ground alternative if needed, and also easy for A1 [as well as M25/M1] if you need an alternative route up north toward luton.
 
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Problem is that you will find that you really need to specify street, not area. My nan used to live at Gospel Oak, council houses and huge tower block surrounding, but throw a stone and you would hit some very nice Victorian Villa style homes (where Michael Palin lives). Then next doorish too those a nasty looking block. Southgate has some nice bits but also not so nice, same with Finchley, although IMO there are more better areas than bad ones in those 2 as opposed to wembley which imo has more worse areas than good ones!
 
Harpenden is 35 mins from my office in Farringdon. I get in quicker than people who live in S London. Think also about where you may be in 5\10 years with kids etc and needing good state schools unless you can afford private education. Local schools are superb.
Matt
 
There are no tube lines which aren't busy during rush hour. I quite like Woodside Park but I guess it all depends on your budget. As above post, Harpenden is a really nice little place. Some really nice bars and restaurants. the only problem is that I don't think I have ever seen anyone from harpenden get a seat on the train during rush hour. I commuted for 10 years further up the line and used to feel really sorry for the commuters from St Albans and Harpenden.
 
Thanks, all.

I guess the question of nice area can be answered by general feel of the street. If it feels really crowded then it's not the place to be, if it feels nice with drive ways and semi-detatched houses, then it should be alright?

I've been looking at properties around Southgate and Burnt Oak, there's some quite nice semi-detatched houses and some nice modern houses in Southgate. Wife is going to make a few bookings for weekend viewing today.

Going from Burnt Oak is 2nd to end of the line, surely there will be seats? Taking the tube to Heathrow at rush hour, my feel is seats are generally free from zone 3 on wards.

Harpenden and St Albans were originally considered, but I really would prefer to be closer to her work place. Call me old fashioned, but she agrees that it's better if she does the cooking, my cooking involves microwave and ready meals.
 
Thinking again have you looked at Stanmore?, it's the end of the Jubilee line, nice area and about 5 min from the M1 just south of Watford.

David
 
Willid1 said:
Thinking again have you looked at Stanmore?, it's the end of the Jubilee line, nice area and about 5 min from the M1 just south of Watford.

David
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I was going too suggest Stanmore or Harrow Weald..... my daughter lives in Harrow Weald.....college hill to be precise....it is a nice area and 2 minute walk to shop....train as far as I remember is 13 mins time euston
 
I live in western Enfield (EN2). We have two mainline rail stations (Enfield Chase and Enfield Town), plus the Piccadilly line (Oakwood). And you're a 10 min drive from the M25 at J24.

Southgate, which you mention, is next door, also well served.
 
Thanks all! here's an update:

We've found a great house in New Southgate area behind the train station, area looks secure with no through traffic. So we had a back and forth with the estate agent and got an agreed price. :D


edit: New Southgate, not Southgate.
 
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wuyanxu said:
Thanks all! here's an update:

We've found a great house in Southgate area behind the train station, area looks secure with no through traffic. So we had a back and forth with the estate agent and got an agreed price. :D
Click to expand...

I'll wave next time I am at my friends that way :lol: Good luck, hope it all goes through ok for you :whistle:
 
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