Where to live in London? Post your questions & answers

gumnutbaby · Gumtree Moderator Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 112

It seems like a lot of people when they get to London are a bit confused about where to live - what's it like north of the river? is south east safe? and where the hell is west?

Most locales in London have their shady parts but can also be full of character - for my part I live in Kilburn, which some would consider ghetto, but with a handful of awesome live music venues and late license pubs, combined with an old Irish background and still affordable rent, make it the perfect place for me Very Happy

meanwhile a lot of aussies live in Fulham & Putney, areas I just think are too boring and easy!

So feel free to post the good & bad of where you live so people new to town can read and make an informed decision, or ask questions about an area and see what people write!

and enjoy your time in London - it's an amazing city!

sarahsams · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 1 Location: st albans

Hi, we need to move to london from st.albans for work reasons, what do you think of st johns wood or primrose hill as places to live? We need a good secondary school too.

Cov · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 2291 Location: London

Either you're winding me up, of you are rich.
Which one is it ?

The two areas you mentioned are two of the most expensive ones in London.
I find it hard to be able to afford a bloody room in a flat share.
We in London pay minimum 4 times the value compared to the countries we come from - but get only 25% of the quality ... compared again to the same.

I'm very unhappy with this fact. Low quality all around - except you're able to own your place of choice.

I live here now for 8 and 1/2 years ... if you like to know more details, please feel free to ask.
I live in St John's Wood in the moment (since 1.10.2003) ... opposite Regent's Park ... that will change very soon.

Anyway, sorry if i sound too negative, but I could tell a lot of stories which might change your mind in moving to this sh*t hole.

Cov

travoholic · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 67

If you're in London for a good time and want to hang out with young Aussies, Kiwis and Saffas always up for a party then Shepherd's Bush or Acton are great places. I had loads of fun there, saw absolutely nothing, wasted many weekends but made some great friends in the process. Now that my body can't handle that sort of abuse I've moved to East Dulwich which I really love. Not many antipodeans around, feels safe, nice pubs around the corner and 12 minutes by train to London Bridge. I've lived in Fulham as well and thought it was ok but the District Line is a nightmare in the mornings.

People who want a quick rundown on various areas of London might want to check out the link in my signature.

London isn't a shithole... not all of it! haha It's a great place but where you decide to live will have a huge impact on your experiences here so choose wisely.

Kirsty

shackks · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:45 am Post subject:

I've been in the Islington fer about 2 weeks here and all I can see is police on their patrol car or on bicycle on beat patrol. Otherwise, it would be siren from the patrol car or the ambulance rushing up and down the Holloway Road which I'm not used to it. Forgive me if this normal, but from where I comes from, itz not that common.

People here are mostly continental (judging by the number of turkish restaurants here) and also some Polish restaurants towards Finsbury Park.

I've heard that some stabbings and crimes happens once a while, however, I think itz kinda ok as long as you keep yourself at home after dark or be more alert when you're on the streets.

However, I've heard that there's some nasty gangs been active in Camden.

Do correct me if I'm wrong as I've not been long here so maybe there's something I dunno.

Cheers

Surrey08 · Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

girlambitious1 · Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

I am doign my internship in Canary Wharf, liviing in Sir John Cass Hall for 2 months. I must admit it is the cheapest and the best in zone 2 , the price is only £15 per day with breakfast. If intrested call them directly on 0208986 6942

shackks · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:23 am Post subject:

I'm looking for a double room with a budget of not exceeding £100 a week, preferably in Zone 2 or 3. Is this possible?

please advice.

thanx

NW10NW10 · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

DA BEST PLACES IN LONDON IN MY VIEW IZ. BRIXTON,PECKHAM, HACKNEY,CLAPHAM,CROYDON,HARLESDEN,WILLESDEN,STOCKWELL,TULSE HILL, MOZART, STONEBRIDGE, WILLESDEN GREEN,EDMONTON, TOTTENHAM, KILBURN, N ALL DAT!!! DEY ARE DA MOST LIVEST AREAZ IN LONDON.. DA REST R DRY

LadyinLove · Joined: 19 Aug 2007 Posts: 1 Location: ILFORD

TO NW10...

WHY ON EARTH R U MISLEADING PEOPLE?????? ALL THE PLACES U MENTIONED SHOULD BE DELETED FRM LONDON'S MAP.......... THATS WHERE ALL THE CRIMES AND BAD STUFFS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS...

BY THE WAY, R U A PART OF A GANG OR SOMETHING?

TO ANYBODY ELSE...........PLZ MAKE SURE U DO UR OWN RESEARCH B4 MOVING TO A NEW AREA.... I GUESS THE BEST WAY OF GETTING THE RIGHT INFO IS GOING TO THE TOWN HALL OF THE AREA U WANT AND FINDING OUT ALL THE INFO U WANT...................

GOOD LUCK ALL....

dukes_up · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 35

I really just think people have to visit places for themselves. I'm moving to Shadwell; when I tell people they go "OMG you're gonna get stabbed!" The person I'm moving in with has lived there for 10 years and has never been the victim of crime. I can walk to Wapping and have lovely views of the City and Canary Wharf. It also depends on the flat/house; my new place is a luxury flat due to the owner's expensive refurbishment and would probably be double the price if it were in somewhere like Angel.

It's mostly stereotyping that people have, you need to see places for yourself. Personally I'd rather live in Shadwell than Angel, although most people would say the opposite. It's YOUR home and you need to be happy with it.

darkenmiu · Joined: 26 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

Well.. Me and my boyfriend are coming to London. We are now looking for a double room in the Southeast London(my bf´s job will be located there).

We have had offer from Camberwell and other from Forest Hill.
Would someone tell me about those places? Dangerous?

Which ones are the good place in Southeast?
Thanks, I really appreciate your help! Smile

burqagirl · Joined: 23 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I will be studying at SOAS soon and don't need a room so close to campus. I'm thinking of Highgate, Crouch End and Muswell Hill. Could anyone give me the pros and cons of each? I'd like to live in a safe area in North, yet lively, with bars, other shops nearby. Not necessarily posh, but I don't want to scare away my mum when she comes to visit.

Andy A · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Essex

I'm moving up to East London in the next couple of months & personally I can't wait!

In particular... Shoreditch, Old St & Bethnal Green. The whole area is a goldmine of variety & variation e.g. Brick Lane (the big chill, Vibe Bar) to Hoxton Square & Spittelfields market. Absolutely brilliant area & I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for somewhere fresh with a real edge Surprised

D

daydreamgirl · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: North London

Im thinking of moving to finsbury park in January, could any one tell me about the pro's and con's??

claudia_7 · Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

I am relocating from overseas to work in London Paddington and thought Slough was a good area as regarding direct links to paddington in 30min and property is a bit cheaper than central London.
I am not sure of the area however....thate seems to be quite a few bad reviews about Slough. What are your opinions

tapo · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

Hi,

I'm planning to move to Goodmayes after getting mugged in Leyton. Any idea how safe Goodmayes is compared to Leyton/Stratford ?

rockmd04 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

HI all!

could you help me out and advise on which is the good place to live just OUTSIDE of London. Money-wise and transportation-wise? Are there good towns with up to 40 min commute to London that are nice and safe?

Thank you very much in advance. I am moving to the area in a month or so and have never been there before.

rockmd04 · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

HI all!

could you help me out and advise on which is the good place to live just OUTSIDE of London. Money-wise and transportation-wise? Are there good towns with up to 40 min commute to London that are nice and safe?

Thank you very much in advance. I am moving to the area in a month or so and have never been there before.

dchseoteam · Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

Hey Friends,

I just came across a site offers very good centrally located accommodations including apartments, aparthotels, hostel rooms, rooms on sharing basis and moreover the site is having good availability for the immediate accommodations and at the affordable rates in London wide.

Check it out here:

apartotels.com

Others:

london-room.co.uk
discountcityhotels.net

Thanks,
Jain

ibtbfree · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1

Hey,Im a 21 y/o guy from Barcelona movin' to London next year on order to study and live for a while there.
I got friends in there, british and europeans but anyway I'm a little confussed and wanna know what's the better way to stay for the first days and how find some place to stay.
Thanks a lot Cool

KyleMonroe · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Ohio

I am 18 years old and currently living in the US. Where would be the cheapest place to live at in London? I have a few questions...

Once I was to land in Gatwick what would I do first? I really don't know.
I wouldn't have a place to stay or any money, So would I have to bring a bit more money along with me to get it exchanged when I land? Any information on how I would start out my new life in London would greatly be appreciated.

montyzuma · Community Moderator Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 7532

kyle, its a little known fact but due to the special relationship britain has with america the queen keeps a suite of rooms esp for young american visitors. on arrival walk up to any of the armed policemen and address them by the english name "yo tithead" wheres her maj at? and he will tell you where to go.

seriously you have to be joking, come to london with no clue , no money and no job you will be in the gutter in 3 days.

Josephine Hoyer · Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Germany

London is huge area. I however prefer in NW area. Do you think is this a safer place compare to other places in London? I like more to move where tubes are near. How is it to be in Zone 2? I'm now trying to look for a room to rent in Central London. How about Canada Water is it good area?

toastie1 · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

Where to live in london? I have lived in many london areas, i grew up in walthamstow which at that time was ok and still is in some areas as in near to the market place where the snobs now call it waltham forest!!!! Then seven sisters which again was fine but nothing to do at nite and can get a bit scary at nite!
At the moment i am in Hackney which i LOVE!!!! there is so so so much to do, people think its not good as there is no tube!!! but there is a bus to everywhere and getting the buses works out so much cheaper!
Hackney i feel has it all, nice local shops the renting is cheap which helps and the hackney empire on your door step for those cold winter evenings when you want to do something different!
Hackney has always had a bad reputation and i cannot see why london on its own does not have the best reputation and its just what you make of it!
I am not saying Hackney is the best but its not as bad as people make it out to be!
So if you are thinking of moving to london dont go by what you read in the papers go and have a look at all of what the different areas of london has to offer! There is alot more to london then the so called cool areas i.e ''brick lane'' and ''upper street'' oh and the ever so ''COOL'' Church Street.
Go see what East London has to offer you.
GOOD LUCK