Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Seeking advice, moving to area from Australia
Hello
I will moving back to the UK in May. My wife has been offered a job at City Uni (she is a lecturer) and we have elderly family in Herts and Essex. We have 2 children, boys who will be 11 and 12. We are therefore looking for somewhere to settle which will give easy enough access to the university (The Angel, Islington) as well as being affordable enough (I think ~400K would be our range) and having a good state school (hopefully offering music and art as well as science, maths and the other core subjects).
Our problem at the moment is of course that we are the other side of the world and don't know anyone with recent experience of the area. When we do talk to friends in the uk they tend to say, 'Ooh I wouldn't, good luck with that' or similar. We do get the feeling that it might be an area on the up and think it's worth looking at.
So, I would like to ask the readership of this site for their suggestions as to where we may be happy to settle. We are pretty community minded so would be hoping for some good neighbours and some community activities that kind of thing.
Over to you.
Russell
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Milda Rami on
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Nothing is wrong with Wood Green! Though it depends where.. :)
N8 is crazy expensive but we live 10 min walking distance from it. I think we're technically in Wood Green (N22), though I'm not 100% sure how this area is called.. . As a result, we could afford a large house instead of a tiny flat on N8. BUT we still benefit from close proximity to Haringey, go to the market on Sundays, etc.
You can get a decent house for £400k here. Also, there have been so many renovations on our street that I strongly believe the area is on the rise.
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Permalink Reply by Liza on
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You will get a nice house for 400K. you just need to come over to the dark side of N15... Which isn't very dark. or very far away. 2 mins walk from the salisbury and you are in N15...
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Permalink Reply by Kate on
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Wood Green is a bit rough. But then I don't really know the streets around the area, just the main drag - which is centred on a rather overcrowded and pretty depressing shopping centre. There may be nice pockets within the residential area, perhaps someone else who knows more can advise. Also, 3 months is nothing, it's better you just get here and take your time to know the areas before buying. I had my flat valued the other day just out of interest really, and the estate agent said property prices in Harringay had been pretty static for a few years, but in the last 6 months had begun to shoot up and they predict the next 6 months this trend will continue. Who knows if what they say is true, but maybe worth bearing in mind the bigger picture.
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The 3 months was just to gauge the area, really, take a look round. Also we'll need to have a local address to apply for schools. Still hoping for feedback on schools, there are some good ofsted reports about but I'm looking for personal experience.
Thanks for your great help so far, it really is very useful.
Russell
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Permalink Reply by Claudia Clare on
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Russell, Cem, (pronouced Gem) owner of Lemon Cafe is on this site somewhere - He has three children at local schools. He may be a good person to ask. Actually you could send a message via his website. http://www.cafelemon.co.uk/ Say I suggested you contact him. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. I know his wife well and I know she is concerned that their children get a fully rounded education.
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For houses, I'd say harringay n15. Quieter, less traffic, more for your money and often with larger gardens. For schools, don't have kids there but have friends who do. Park View is on the up. Always good to ride on a wave of improvement and energy rather than of stagnation. Don't start out in wood green, its nicer over here!!
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Hi Russell,
I live in Tottenham and have a boy who is 11 at a state school nearby. You certainly get a lot more housing for your money here than in Harringay. I like the area of Tottenham that we are in, not sure whats its called, but it the section around downhills park, lordship rec and belmont rec.
To get to Angel would be easy, either the victoria line at Seven Sisters (15-20min walk), or piccadilly line at Turnpike Lane (5-10mins) walk.
I'm really pleased with my son's school, Park View. It has a strong inspiring drama department, have heard lots back from my son about it. Music seems good too, son taking advantage of free drumming lessons. Science and Maths - the head teacher was on Harringay online recently and mentioned that lots of pupils go on to study these subjects at A level. I also read the Haringey education commission report yesterday "Outstanding for all' and the school was praised for raising literacy standards.
I think it may be worth you calling the schools ahead of you moving to see whether any places may be available for your sons. I know a friend struggle to get a child of hers into schools locally.
Community activities, lots around the schools and parks, lots of football, basketball, bike tracks etc. Tottenham Green for swimming. Bernie Grants Art centre is increasing its range of shows. WIth great transport too, you can always go further afield for activities without it feeling like too much of a trek.
If you are thinking of moving to Tottenham its really worth pinpointing the area within Tottenham you want to live in and what school you want your boys in. Tottenham is a huge area, half of Haringey. Rent for a while and see if you like it enough to commit to buying. We've been in Tottenham for 11 years and love it for the diverse community, the housing, transport links and all the friends we've have met. (Also really can't move away from that great 70% chocolate with pistachios in the Turkish supermarkets)
Hope that helps.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Also fairly easy to get to Angel by going from Harringay station down to Highbury and Islington and then either a brisk walk down Upper Street or a bus.
We've lived on The Ladder for over 25 years and I love the area. The problem is that the Ladder side has become very expensive. The Gardens are a little cheaper but not much.
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You said your budget was "~400k", so assuming that means you can stretch a bit beyond 400k, I wouldn't rule out your chance of finding a house on the Ladder. It would probably be something that needed a bit of "modernisation" though.
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Yeah we could, a bit. We had a scarily large mortgage in Sydney ($650K that's about UKP400K at current rates) and frankly don't want to go that big again, also as I'm self employed and initially at least will be working at home relying on my Aussie clients we won't be considering my income when getting a new mortgage. What are the secondary schools like round there?
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Hi Russell,
Don't be put off by comments made on here about Wood Green, I've lived in Wood Green for 20 years and wouldn't live anywhere else. Unfortunately most people judge Wood Green based on a trip down the High Street on a Saturday afternoon. The High Street reportedly has the second highest footfall in London after Oxford Street - with so many people in one area it will attract the full range of society!
Luckily Wood Green spreads beyond the High Street. In Wood Green, we have the 'Cultural Quarter' better known as the Chocolate Factory - home to one of the largest collective of artists in the country. Within this is Mosaica restaurant - a fantastic restaurant - if a bit pricey! Also the Karamel Club - a great restaurant/cafe by day - and a live music/comedy venue by evening. Most evening events are free, food is great and cheap - Chris Difford from Squeeze is a regular performer.
Down the road is 'The Big Green Bookshop' - a great community bookshop that put on all sorts of regular events, from comedy nights to all night readathons! They're currently organising next year's Wood Green Literary Festival.
Oh yes, and up on the hill, Wood Green has the little known Alexandra Palace (-sorry to disappoint many, but check its address). A quick check of its website will tell you all about the quality of events/entertainment put on there.
Regarding schools, the recently opened Heartlands High has been getting very positive reviews. It's only been open three years but parents and pupils that I have spoken to have been extremely enthusiastic about it.
Transport links are great Wood Green, Turnpike Lane tubes are 15/20 mins to centre of town. Ally Pally train station will get you to Highbury and Islington in no time.
Like everywhere in London, Wood Green is what you make of it - the High Street can be a bit shabby, but provides everything you could need from a High Street. The area maybe lacks a few good pubs. Cafes are opening-up. Many people are moving to Wood Green from areas like Crouch End, because they now realise they can get a 2/3 bedroom house with a garden for the price they would pay for a one-bedroom flat in Crouch End. £400 000 would get you a decent 3 bed house with garden in a good area in Wood Green, but renting first makes good sense so you can check out the whole of the local area. Would be more than happy to meet up when you make it to N22.
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Yup. I'd agree with every word of this. I walk from Tottenham through one park and then another to Wood Green every day to get to work - in the very Chocolate Factory Doug refers to. I'm an artist - my studio is above Mosaica. WG has some very pretty areas I have to say.
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