London - where should i live?

Theyarv1

Even though I've lived here all my life i don't know London that well. I currently live near Highbury/Caledonian Road/KX area.

I need to be within an hours door to door commute to Camden tube station, preferably 45 minutes or less and somewhere that is reasonably safe at night (i will be getting home on the last train quite often). I know everywhere has good places and bad.


So far i've been looking at
Kentish Town
Camden Town
Primrose Hill
Brondesbury (due to over ground) though i know nothing about it
Clapham
Highgate
Swiss Cottage/W Hampsted
Belsize Park/Chalk Farm

Places I'm less keen on include
Holloway/Archway/Tuffnell Park/KX or anything east from here
Mornington Crescent
Acton Town (overground is 51 minutes)
Finchley/golders green northwards


Can anyone recommend a couple of places I've missed - or even on the outskirts that's easily goes into KX perhaps on the train.
:beer:

cattie

Why not also consider some of the outer London areas on the central line, such as South Woodford, Buckhurst Hill etc. Both of these are nice, safe areas & have a good cafe society buzz about them now. My sister lives in this area. You would have to change trains to get to Kings X off course, but I believe it would be an easy journey.

I grew up in Islington and lived just off of Caledonian Road, by the Regents Canal. Have not been back there for a few years now, as since my mother died I have no more ties to the area.

hazyjo

South of the river - Blackheath (first choice), Greenwich, Maze Hill, Westcombe Park (SE10 - most of Westcombe Park falls under SE3). You might not have thought of going south, but it's a short train journey into London Bridge (much more pleasant than tubes), then the northern line straight up to Camden.

If you've never been, take a train to Blackheath and have a wander round. Very villagey, cheaper than Primrose Hill, and some nice houses. Greenwich is far more 'bohemian' and touristy. Depends what you're like, I suppose! I've lived in Blackheath and Westcombe Park.

Jx

ILW

How much money have you got to spend?

princeofpounds

There are great places south of the river, but I wouldn't bother if you are ending up in Camden. You will only have to traverse the city during rush hour, and whilst that isn't THAT bad, it's not necessary unless you really like the place you are looking at to live.

(By contrast I would recommend South for many people working in the centre of town or Chelsea area)

Running_Horse

Archway/Highgate seems to be the border between inner city and suburbia.

Depends what kind of buzz you want from an area.

elletee

Swiss Cottage/W Hampstead are lovely - but a bit pricey ... cheaper is Kilburn but no where near as nice ... all easy to get to Camden. Or if you have £££ - Maida vale is lovely!!

tinyeyes123

Acton (Central not Town) is pretty good. The area around Churchfield Road is improving all the time and there are now two great pubs, a deli, a bakery and a few gift-type shops. Only about 25 mins on the Overground to Camden Road.

Theyarv1

Thanks for the replies.

The website looks like it could be pretty useful.

Thanks for the suggestions - Woodford, Mazehill etc all look like good ideas but just slightly too far for me, all around 50 minutes once you are at the station, so over an hour's commute each way likely.

I don't travel during rush hour.

ILW: I have enough to find somewhere good, but I'd rather get somewhere 30% bigger and have a garden in Putney than live in Camden for instance, but if it's not possible I will find something suitable in Camden.

cattie

I live south of the river now, but wouldn't recommend it for an easy commute. The lack of the underground is a bit of a bind for easy travelling into central London, & whilst the journey into the London mainline stations on the Charing X route or into Victoria is pretty quick, if trains are cancelled for any reason then you may well face up to an hours wait for the next one. Plus there is often the dreaded engineering work some weekends which result in no trains & a replacement bus service.

car503

Wondering if anyone has any helpful suggestions for my boyfriend and I, both new to London!

He needs to get to work in Hammersmith/Kensington Olympia and I will be based at London Bridge. We're both keen to minimise our commute (I will sometimes need to pop into work at the weekends for short periods and he just hates public transport).

At the moment we're looking into Clapham Junction or Balham.

Many thanks for any ideas!