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?

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Borrows on March 16, 2012 at 10:21

I've lived north, south, east and west in London and came back as soon as I could! Personally I love living on the ladder - my old flat was nearer Turnpike Lane which was great for Hornsey overland and the tube, plus all the local independent shops. We're now at the midway point on the ladder and both are great. The north end was poss a bit quieter as Ducketts Common absorbed some of the noise, but to be honest, I really can't hear anything from either Wightman or Green Lanes. There's plenty to do around here as well. Good pubs and bars on Green Lanes, in Finsbury Park, Crouch End - and is only a short distance to Highgate and Hampstead. Easy to get into town to some good cinemas - plus Muswell Hill shows most of the blockbusters if that's your thing. Plenty of open green space too which, for me is hugely important. I think you have the best of living in a city here without most of the negatives that go with it. Should also mention the fantastic and possibly unbeatable selection of Turkish kebabs in the area!

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Permalink Reply by smileygirl2010 on March 16, 2012 at 11:11

HI Alex,

I have lived here for the past 7 years, and i have to say it keeps getting better. Its a very Turkish area, so i think it feels safe personally. The fruit / veg shops are such great value, the turkish restaurants are fantastic, and the area is really lively. The salsbury pub is really lovely, and they have quiz nites on monday nights which are fun, along with salsa dancing, live bands happening throughout the week.

Its also really close to crouch end, muswell hill and highgate, so its really a nice place to be. There is quite a lot in the area to keep you entertained, and if you want to get into central london, transport links are excellent. I would recommend it.

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Permalink Reply by Cml on March 16, 2012 at 16:39

Reasons to move to Harringay
1) you can't afford to live anywhere nicer

Reasons not to move to Harringay
You dislike the following...
1) mice
2) cockroaches
3) spitting
4) men urinating in alleyways
5) people who claim that all the above are integral parts of a "vibrant urban environment"

I speak as someone who likes it here.

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Permalink Reply by Susan on March 19, 2012 at 17:54

Hi Alex,

I have recently fallen back in love with Haringey - Wood Green specifically, having been brought up in Camden and moved here out of necessity 12 years ago. Haringey is one of those places that can be fabulous at the right time of day. So Shopping in Wood Green is a pleasure between 11 and 3 on a weekday, or hell outside these times. At those times you go to Crouch End or Muswell Hill and bask in the false idyll that it is. The market hall in Shopping City is brilliant, there is a Lidl for the bargains and brilliant grocers from all parts of the world if you need any exotic ingredients.

Haringey is equally schizophrenic depending on which routes you take to walk places (if you never walk don't read on). But there are some fantastic cut-throughs, planned into the streets over a century ago. You can walk for hours through green parkland and disused railway lines and it's only an hour's walk from Wood Green to Kenwood, mostly through parks.

And schools are the same - another division, but social division by choice rather than necessity - and most people make the best of what is on offer, accept each others' differences and get on with it. Some schools are overloaded with very needy children (many looked-after, 'sourced' out from boroughs like Westminster) and there is an unbalanced pressure on those schools. Nightingale has had its recent forced Academisation - perhaps that is what is raising your concerns?

Schools are not the end of a child's experience however, and the extra-curricular activities on offer around the borough are truly endless. So there's something for everyone, and by the time they are 11 they can take themselves there in relative safety. Most of the parks are now much safer because they have cafes and my children have been playing on the street since around 9 years old (Wood Green). Community activities for all ages and interests are springing up everywhere.

Haringey does have an element of transience about it, but also many long-standing resident families and an increasing number of families that are definitely staying for good.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on March 21, 2012 at 18:41

Hi All,

We are hopefully moving to the bottom end of Seymour rd soon (touch wood). It would be great to hear some things regarding Seymour rd and if we are lucky chat to some of our potential neighbours : )

Really looking forward to it esp. after all the positive comments,

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Borrows on March 22, 2012 at 9:18

Hey Matt

I moved to Seymour just over a year ago after 4 years further up the Ladder and love it. Aesthetically speaking, it's one of the nicer roads (in my opinion) to live on and is near Harringay overland and only a short hop to either Manor House or Turnpike Lane. At the bottom of the road there's a fantastic selection of food shops, plus the wonderful Salisbury makes for a very short walk home after a glass or two of wine. The selection of Turkish kebab shops is second to none too. Very handy for Finsbury Park, Crouch End and Ally Pally and you can easily reach Highgate and beyond as well. Never had any issue with any of my neighbours - in fact they are a nice, friendly bunch who genuinely look out for one another. I can highly recommend living on Seymour! Hope the move goes smoothly for you.

Becks