Moving to North London - what area?

luckydip_3

We are looking to move into the North London area in the next few months. The reasons being: DD will be going to secondary school in Barnet area and I will be working in that area as well. We will also need to be near a station so that OH can travel into the city.

Not to bothered about buying or renting but we need a 3 bed semi. Budget for buying £320k renting £1200pcm. We are looking at Potters Bar as one of our main candidates.

Are there any other areas we should be looking at which may be better value for money?

Thanks:)

hazey31

I wonder which school, ie the same one I went to? If it's the big one at the bottom of the high street near the tube then yes and I was very happy there, even when it wasn't very good. It's come on loads in the last 10 years or so. And if it is that school then the bus routes from other towns nearby are pretty good so it wouldn't be muc of a commute if you didn't live in Barnet.

Anyway, I lived in Barnet for years and it's on the whole fine- not much crime, good transport links into London with the Northern Line and the buse network is alright but it is expensive. Avoid anywhere too near to the Dollis Hill estate, that's the only rough bit really. Potters Bar is a bit soulless and vast somehow, there's no real centre and the high street is fairly depressing- Barnet is pretty good. But a lot of my family have moved out there because it is cheaper due to not being on the tube (though this *may* be changing, apparently) but the British Rail (or whatever it's called now) station at PB goes into Kings Cross.

firsty

Both areas (Barnet & Potters Bar) are fine, I recommend either - Barnet may have a slightly 'more happening' town centre, but Potters Bar is quite family orientated - it depends on what you're looking for? I'd say visit both places, then you'll know.
Might be better to be closer to DD's school, but then you may get a bit more for your money if you buy in the Potters Bar surrounding areas.

Just to add... Borehamwood and Hatfield are up n coming (not quite there yet though), more for your money, but may be too far for DD's school. (Is she registered in a school in Barnet already?)
Check out, St. Albans, Radlett, London Colony…

I’m not from there, but I have lived there, and was making a similar decision once, so this is a ‘blow in’ or ‘outsiders’ point of view.
Hope that helps?!:)

silvercar

There are some excellent secondary schools, but places are very competitive. So unless you already have a place lined up I wouldn't make any assumptions.

daisymay2008

i used to rent in Oakwood which was last but one on the piccadily line (think cockfosters was last) and the area seemed pretty decent to me, we paid 850 pcm for two bed flat but that was 6 years ago, sdouthgate seemed a nice area aswell,

and oakwood was always handy for the M25 to get back up north where i live

slosher

I lived in North Finchley, not as cheap as some areas but the schools are very good, I would advise checking out the schools and their catchment areas as they are really strict on where they take pupils from area wise.
My children went to Compton Secondary which is a really good comp both did really well there - beware as some of the schools are really poor.

silvercar

If OP is looking at Potters Bar, Dame Alice Owen would be the favoured choice. I would check th admission criteria carefully.

mufi

daisymay2008 wrote: »

i used to rent in Oakwood which was last but one on the piccadily line (think cockfosters was last) and the area seemed pretty decent to me, we paid 850 pcm for two bed flat but that was 6 years ago, sdouthgate seemed a nice area aswell,

and oakwood was always handy for the M25 to get back up north where i live

Born in Oakwood and lived there for 20 years - it's a lovely place to live, but pretty expensive.

mufi

daisymay2008 wrote: »

(think cockfosters was last)

Correct. Pronounced Co'fosters to avoid causing offence...:D

hazey31

From the original post, it seems that the place at the school is already secured.

silvercar

hazey31 wrote: »

From the original post, it seems that the place at the school is already secured.

I wasn't sure, given that secondary place allocations are not yet out for September. May not be at usual entry point?

OP?