just how bad IS the northern line?

pigeonpie

We are thinking of moving to the Muswell Hill area but OH works in Docklands - no, sadly not in one of those fancy £££ bonus jobs

anyone out there do the northern line highgate to bank tube on a daily basis? Or even Muswell Hill to Canary Wharf?
How long does it take and just how bad a commute is it? Even the estate agents are saying um, well, you'll get used to it but it's not fun.

tipsychick

It's ages since I've done it but I reckon it's probably forty odd minutes in the rush hour.

The problem with Muswell Hill is that it isn't actually on the Underground itself. You've got to get Highgate or East Finchley first and there's nowhere to park.

The plus side, of course, is that it's a nice family area with decent local shops and the green open spaces of Ally Pally. The schools are meant to be very good too.

char9

Don't do that route myself, but Bank to CW is only about 10 min. Northern Line's bad reputation is, I feel, a little unfair as it's far from being the least relaible line. Muswell Hill is a bit tricky wherever you go as you always end up getting a bus first. Lovely area though.

Have you tried putting the route into the routeplanner on the TFL website? Their timings are quite accurate. But when it comes down to it it's all about balancing what you're willing to do to live where you want.

Or you could move to Greenwich instead?

meanmachine_2

Muswell Hill is one of the worst connected areas of London, hence its reasonable property prices. It's a bus or nothing.

If it had better transport links it would be as expensive as Chelsea, given its gentrified nature.

You might be better off living further out and travelling in by overground.

lynzpower

I live in Bow, and Im well connected for the docklands with the DLR etc.

Ive never been to muswell hill so couldnt possibly comment on that, but I would say
a) the DLR in the mornings from what Ive seen of it is jammed
b) theres no way in hell Id ever change at bank in rush hour again, its pretty unpleasant for the first few weeks of doing it, then downright hideous after that. But then I like to minimise stress on myself and changing tubes ups stress for me. Particularly if one of the lines isnt running well ( what are the chances of both lines running well on a daily basis)

If you are looking for leafier pastures, have you considered Victoria Park, London E9? thats lovely.

Molanole

They don't call it the "misery line" for nothing.

Muswell Hill is a lovely area (an ex used to live there) but it is a nightmare public transport wise. As others have said you have to get on a bus to even get to the tube (Highgate or East Finchley). You can walk it but it is a bit of a trek you wouldn't want to on a day like this.

I think 50 mins would be a reasonable guess time wise but it is worth looking on journey planner (https://www.tfl.gov.uk) and then adding ten minutes as it always seems to be on the optimistic side for me!

silvercar

Depending which side of Muswell Hill you buy in, you can always look to get British Rail from Ally Pally into London.