Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Just moved to Turnpike Lane (off Westbury Avenue) and found out we are having a baby. Do we run???
Hi all,
Having discovered this site I am feeling slightly horrified about the thought of being pregnant or having baby in Turnpike Lane. My mother and I bought a 2 bed flat on Hawke Park Road about five years ago and lived there with mates whilst at uni. I loved the grittiness of the area and the convenience of Wood Green shops/lovely Turkish food 24/7. Since moving out in 2010 I have lived in Islington and loved it. I lived with my parents and of course can't afford to stay in the area although we'd love to.
Having recently gotten married, my hubby and I decided to give Turnpike Lane a go and moved a couple of weeks ago. He has embraced the area for what it is and thinks it has potential, I on the other hand, have been miserable, especially since finding out I was pregnant and feeling a constant overwhelming urge to get the hell outa there.
The immediate area seems to have gone further downhill since I lived there before. Within a week of moving in we had police round asking if we had seen or heard the Sunday night shooting in Sirdar road, our neighbour had his bike stolen from outside our house despite having had two sturdy locks on it, and my husband had to remove a junky needle from the front garden. We also have a prostitute who operates metres from our house in broad daylight.
Perhaps I am hormonal and anxious and extra paranoid but it would be really great to get some positive feedback about the area. I need some locals to send positive vibes my way, I really don't want to hate where I live!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by 05n1z6t72jwni on
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Harringy resident all my life, Ive lived in turnpike lane for 18 years.My daughter lives down the road with her 2 children,both born and bred in the area. has its bad points but definately on the up.never had any problems bringing my own children up here or my grandchildren.Community atmosphere is getting stronger,and its actually a good place to have a family these days.The bad stuff that haappens round here,is now happening everywhere,its no worse here in my opinion.good luck with the baby,and stop worrying!
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I agree; my two children were born here and have enjoyed a fantastic childhood thus far. Since they were born there are tons of activities (often free) that have started at the local children's centres. There are loads of families in the area so it can't be that bad! Awful stuff happens in all areas of London. I work in Camden and often visit families in Regents Park, Belsize Park etc. They also report the same fears and happenings as you. Good luck with the baby : )
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Permalink Reply by DrWhams on
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Sorry to hear that you're having a wobble about living in the area. I would urge you to stick with it though. We moved to the area last year with a 3 year old and have had a baby this year. We moved from Crouch End, which we loved, but knew we couldn't afford to stay in. It felt like a jump into the unknown but it has been absolutely great. Our eldest has just started school at Belmont and he's loving it - it's got a wonderful atmosphere. We've got to know loads of the neighbours. You'll find that when you have a baby with you you'll end up talking to loads of people in the street.
A colleague in Muswell Hill had his house burgled this week, and friends in Crouch End have been too in the last couple of years. I don't think this area is intrinsically any less safe.
The bottom line for us is that we feel totally vindicated by our move here, and we got a great sized house for the price of a Crouch End flat. Having a decent amount of space really enhances your quality of life, especially with kids.
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Permalink Reply by Friedrich Ernst on
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Live here since 20years,moved around from Burghley Road to Boreham Road and now Tower Gardens,I found allways nice Neighbours.Well Boreham Road is a bit betwin,no Resident groups,who can trackle problems together.But you can join the Noel park group.Next to Belmont school is the Lordship Lane School going better from year to year.My son finished his Primary there and we found whit the also improved Woodside(former Whit hard Lane) one of the best Secondarys in Haringey.
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Permalink Reply by Rachella on
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Yes - come and join us on Noel Park net. We've also got a community market every Sunday at Noel Park School on Gladstone Ave. Stop by and meet some friendly locals.
We're also having a neighbourhood dinner at a local restaurant on November 8th. Details here
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I agree with the previous posters.
Good Luck, it's all preparation for the years ahead
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Hi and welcome!
I have lived in the Turnpike Lane area for around 15 years, both as a single female in a one bed flat and a single parent in a house. When I was pregnant I looked all over London for somewhere to live and ended up coming back here because of the space and the great transport links. I would have to echo what others have said, it has been a terrific area to raise my son in. We live right next to Belmont rec and so he has had access to green space for his entire childhood as well as Downhills Park and Lordship Rec. There is a great community spirit here and loads of things for kids to do (cinema, swimming pool, sports activities etc). Last night (Halloween) we attended a really lovely Day of the Dead celebration in the Harringay Gardens area. The area has definitely improved in my view - particularly with the opening of the cafe in Downhills Park and some of the Turnpike Art Group activities. I also feel that it has got safer - when my son was much younger I had several incidents of having my purse stolen in Wood Green, car windows broken etc but nothing has happened for around 5 years now. Admittedly, it's not Islington, but I think this area has a lot to offer. I'd be happy to point you in the direction of some good places to go with babies if you want to PM me.
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Permalink Reply by Tina on
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Hello
And welcome. I have lived in Haringey all my life and as a child loved it as a teen hated it and as an adult was mixed emotions but for the first time in 42 years I can honestly say that I am living it more and more especially with Children. I have 2 young boys and there is so much to do here and close by crouch end . We are getting more and more nice coffee shops and free kids activities , swimming , baby groups , yoga, weekend activities . I know Finsbury park has a lot to offer . We spent all of today in Lordshop rec not far down the road with the kids on their bikes that park would rival any park it is beautifully kept and visited by many families with young children it has 3 great bike tracks and custom made fake roads for kids to ride on to practice . I can see the other side too sometimes it does look scary and there are some dodgy looking people about but as with anywhere but there are more and more happy out going families making good use of everything Haringey has to offer. Get yourself down to Blend on Green Lanes near turnpike Lane have a lovely latte and some freshly baked cake and take a look around I guarantee you will feel much better about it then get yourself off to the massive hennes in wood green and buy yourself some gorgeous maternity clothes and start enjoying being a pregnant woman In Leafy North London .... Good luck and enjoy :-)
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Permalink Reply by Katie K on
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I've lived in Sirdar Rd for quite a while and like it here. There are a few local characters, and it's not very nice walking home from the tube late at night, but have never had any trouble. I didn't know about the shooting that you mentioned - does anybody have more info on that or can send me a link?
And have you seen this recent thread on a similar topic?
http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/moving-to-westbury-aven...
Katie
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Permalink Reply by Milda Rami on
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We've moved to Sirdar road almost a year ago and we love it here! And I never felt unsafe walking from the tube, etc. Touch wood? In fact, I used to feel much less safe walking around the ladder, especially in Haringey passage at night.
Shooting?! Never heard of it! Anyone else?
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Interesting. Was anyone hurt?
To be honest, I'm not sure how much this worries me. Statistically, most shootings and stabbings occur in Central London, often in rather wealthy areas. But London is London, you can never really get away from crime.
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It is perfectly natural to think about the future when you're family is growing, but having lived in Haringey all my life I would say it is better now than it has been for a long time. There really is so much on offer from parent and baby groups to activities for older children, a wealth of community groups covering every conceivable activity or interest and really good schools, despite what Ofsted say. Get involved with something local now like a residence association or other community group that interests you, it's a great way to see your local area from a different perspective and will provide you with a network of local people once your baby is born. Welcome back
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