Hornsey / Archway???

itgirlinuk

I am thinking of buying my first flat in Hornsey / Archway area. Can I have some views please?

I am not familiar with the area at all and don't know if I should avoid it or jump at the chance of living area...Help...Please...

Joannaclaire

I used to live on the borders of Archway/Hornsey/Finsbury Park. I think the area is fine but there are lots of council estates dotted about and the streets can sometimes have lots of litter about and I recall the odd police related problem at nights on weekends/evenings with domestis/parties etc but you probably get that in a lot of parts of London - so you would want to choose your street carefully to avoid the less salubrious ones. Not trying to put you off, but am being honest. Hornsey is much nicer in parts than the area near Archway station, like the bit near Crouch End, but there's no Tube in Hornsey and it gets a bit yucky further towards the Green Lanes/Wood green area where there have been shootings etc in the past. Also depending on where the flat is, the Tube may not be super close but there are very good bus services. Have you had a walk around the area much?

Before buying, I would go there at different times of the day to see what it's like and take some friends to get their thoughts.

EMcG

I used to live in St.Johns Way, Archway. It's an OK area - can bit a bit grubby like most parts of London. There are excellent transport links from Archway and I had many good nights in The Archway Tavern which sits like a big Irish mansion in the centre of the road. You can't miss it.

I suppose it depends what you're after - if you're single and enjoy going out then Archway itself might appeal. If you're looking to set up a family home then Hornsey/Highgate would be better as it's quieter. Finsbury Park is a mxture of both of these.

As for Crouch End - I could never see the appeal - it always semed a smug little corner of North London full of ponces. But that's just my opinion.

itgirlinuk

I was thinking of Hornsey Road, which is about .6 miles from Archway station...Any good?

Joannaclaire

Like I said, go and have a look. I'd avoid it if it is too near Seven Sisters road as that is really busy and a bit nasty and there are housing estates along there, but if it is further north, up near Tollington Park Road then is is nicer. That part of London is quite mixed so if you are female it's worth checking it out and seeing if you'd feel safe at night. I used to live off Stroud Green road towards Crouch Hill, and while it is not the nicest part of London, I always felt safe as it was such a busy road.. also depends on what you are used to.

itgirlinuk

How about near Haringey Green lanes train station? is that bad or worse or better?

tulips

I was think about buying a flat in N London about 6 months ago and my preference was swing towards dalston/cannonbury area around the hackney/islington border. I reckon something near a new station on the proposed east london extension idea would be a fairly safe bet
(http://www.hackney.gov.uk/index/hackney/eastlondonline/eastlondonline-diagram-nothern.htm). Its at the cheaper end of rediculously expensive and comparibleish pricewise with archway(>150k for 1bed >200k for 2 bed) I've just moved out of london - was living near turnpike lane/wood green area. It was OK, but certainly not lovely.

gjam52

tulips, I shouldn't make too many plans based on E London line extension. I live slap bang in the area you are looking at and the rail project has been an on/off prject in the 10 yrs or so since I have lived here. Apar from that I find it as good a place to live in London as anywhere else.