Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Considering moving to Harringay Ladder - Cold feet!!
Hi there - as above, I'm close to having an offer accepted on a house on the Harringay Ladder (towards the North, Green Lanes end), but getting cold feet! I've never lived in the area so only know it from having wandered around looking at houses. It all looked ok to me, but I'm reading a lot of criticism online so starting to have second thoughts. Main issues seems to be about crime, bad schools, rat infestations, lack of 'things to do', overpriced housing...
I thought I'd made my mind up, but now a bit concerned. I'd really appreciate some views from people who already live there...it can't be that bad surely?!
Tags for Forum Posts: what's harringay like?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carol Tennant on
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Exactly, though you're only 2 streets away there, so it will depend how popular the school is when you apply. We live on the other side of Green Lanes, and had no problem getting our kids in a few years ago - that might be different now. You've got a good chance on Effingham, I'd guess.
I think you get out of the community what you put into it. You'll often see the same faces at local events and there are a number of people that we could all name who are always at the coal face, organising the Green Lanes Food Festival, or the local community cinema group, or the annual local community group quiz night etc. You just have to join in and you'll be part of things. It's definitely good like that round here.
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As I said, it varies from year to year, so there's always a chance that South Harringay might be a possibility depending on what things are like when Alex applies (and given that there are no children as yet, it could be a while). It's certainly the nearest school to Effingham, yes. They might also consider a Catholic school, which then adds St John Vianney into the mix...
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Effingham is the nicest? Surely all the roads are the same? Wait, are you talking about the pavements? The Effingham Mayoral Highway? Oh yes, they're nice. They cost £100,000, they should be nice.
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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Oh yes, John - those are the marmoreal pavements Brian Haley forced our once and future Mayor to have laid on her Effing road. She didn't know how smoothly expensive they were till she drew the curtains one morning and behold! there they were. At least Mary Neuner had the good taste to die before having a private avenue named after her. Whatever happened to our Brian after his brief but doomed flirtation with the LDs? I think he had ambitions to become London's Czar of Waste or something.
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Well, I've certainly had a lot of reassuringly positive responses. I really like the fact that there seems to be a genuine community spirit, which is something I've missed a bit in West London.
We just need to figure out whether the house itself is right for us now!
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Hello, thought I'd add my own to this having lived in both Hammersmith and the Ladders. Moving from Hammersmith you will miss the river, especially in summer and the easy access to a diverse range of restaurants (Fulham,Chelsea, Notting Hill + Kensington). I realise people on here will respond with the restaurants on the Lanes but as much as I like the food and brilliant service it is not diverse, Crouchend is better and then Islington but still its not the same. You will however find the area less polluted and a lot safer at night than W6.
I lived in W6 when I was in my early 20s and loved the pubs by the river or going to Richmond on Friday night but now as a family man I like the sense of community, the good primary schools, the large affordable houses and North London in general.
Green Lanes takes some getting used to and at times you will wonder who let some of the people out on their own but generally its a good place to live but it will remain wedded to its roots, so understand and accept this and you will be happy, ie its not going to turn into CrouchEnd or Muswell Hill but most people don't want it to.
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Permalink Reply by Jenny on
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Hello
I have lived in one of the Gardens roads - opposite side of Green Lanes - for 18 years now. I like it here although I was wary when I first moved to the area.
There is a very active Residents Association in the Gardens - I know the Ladder residents have one too. People seem friendlier than in other places I have lived in London.
Transport is excellent, food shops and restaurants are good. Rats aren't an real issue - foxes eat them!
Jen
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Permalink Reply by Karen Alexander on
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Just thought I would add my thoughts on Harringay. We have lived here since 1996. We wouldn’t consider living anywhere else. You can get large Victorian houses at an affordable price (for London). If you need to get in to the city there are brilliant transport links, buses, underground and overground, I use Harringay Station to get in to Moorgate which takes about 14 mins – I can be sitting at my desk in the city in just under half an hour.
There are some great restaurants on Green Lanes and its great for fresh bread, veg, fruit and meat (just like an old traditional high street I remember from being a kid), of course you have a pretty good Sainsburys too. If Greek/Turkish food isn’t your thing then there is a pretty good tapas bar on Wightman Road and Jashan on Turnpike Lane is pretty much the best indian I ever had. There are some brilliant pubs on Green Lanes too. Further afield, all within 10-20 minutes - there are good restaurants on Hornsey High Street, Crouch End and Muswell Hill, try the Clissold which is an excellent gastro pub in Fortis Green.
Green Lanes is about to have a significant amount of money spent on it courtesy of TfL and the Outer London Fund which will improve the public realm, roads, pavements, the bridge and some of the building’s frontages. The Outer London Fund is the result of a fantastic group of local traders working together with residents, residents groups and local councillors and it will be a real boost to the area.
Both primary schools on the ladder are good. There are no secondary schools but Park View Academy has increasingly good results and there is a new school , Heartlands, by Alexandra Palace which roads to the northern end of the ladder fall into catchment for. Greig City Academy is another very good school which we fall into the catchment for. The results are improving and it has a good OFSTED. Before the govt got rid of the value added measure, GCA was amongst the best 5% in the country. My daughter is there, extremelyhappy and doing really well – we have been very impressed with the quality of teaching - our son is due to go in September.
We love the diversity of the area, there is a great community spirit and we have the wonderful Alexandra Palace on our doorstep. We have the Green Lanes Food Festival every other year.
I think you should definitely move here – it is a fabulous place to live.
PS. One final word on mice – we have had them from time to time, its not easy to eradicate them from these lovely old Victorian terraces but we have had success (I hope I don’t speak too soon!!) by using plug in devices and more importantly plugging every gap in the house, tedious but it works as apparently mice can get though anything you can poke a pencil through.
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Hi Alex
Fairland Park - very near to Effingham Rd - the Friends Group organises community events in the park, and children's tennis lessons are also available.
Ducketts Common - has a children's play area and is being revamped atm. They have a Friends Group too.
Swimming - in addition to Park Rd, there is also Aquaterra at Archway, and lessons for school- aged children at Mattison Rd/South Harringay School
Schools - NHP would be your nearest school. It also has a Parent & Toddler Group, Hornsey RIdge Playgroup as well as an After School/Holiday Club on site.
Great pubs - The Salisbury, and The Garden Ladder
Eating places - too numerous to mention
Stroud Green & Harringay Library - lots of events
Big Green Bookshop - independent bookshop and various events
Local football group, Dads' drinks, Mums' drinks (once in a blue moon, hmmm) at The Salisbury
Loads of stuff on here
etc etc etc.
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