Living areas

Hi all,
Im looking into possibly moving to London and like I usually do, try to find out as much as I can about the areas. There have been links posted on here and will check them out to get a good idea once people can tell me which areas to STAY AWAY FROM! I live in a moderate, working area and do not want to move into Compton, El Barrio, etc!

So if people can give me input on remotely descent areas, Id greatly appreciate it. And also cities like Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh.

It really will come down to where you work/how long you are willing to travel/what you can afford. Commuting in London is a different animal than LA. Worse in many ways if you can imagine! 

From personal experience, I'd recommend not living directly under the landing flight path to Heathrow! 

From personal experience, I'd recommend not living directly under the landing flight path to Heathrow! 

I HIGHLY second that.
And not near the Northern Line.  If you will have to rely on the tube.

While it's not for everyone, I love living in NW London.  There are several ways to get into central London - the train, tube and bus...which is important as at least one of those seems to be down at some point in time.  I live in Cricklewood which is not the most attractive area but it's inexpensive (relatively) and safe...Willsden Green & Kilburn are similar and right around the corner. 

I wouldn't live in Hendon or further out in NW London (Kingsbury, Queensbury, etc).

While it's not for everyone, I love living in NW London.  There are several ways to get into central London - the train, tube and bus...which is important as at least one of those seems to be down at some point in time.  I live in Cricklewood which is not the most attractive area but it's inexpensive (relatively) and safe...Willsden Green & Kilburn are similar and right around the corner. 

I wouldn't live in Hendon or further out in NW London (Kingsbury, Queensbury, etc).

I second that! Good transport links from this area of London too.

I have also lived in Camden and Islington in N. London. Camden was really really crazy but fun. Islington is a real mix of the rough and the smooth but overall quite a good place to live with a villagey atmosphere and again good transport links.  Hampstead would be my ideal place to live in N. London, villagey, leafy, quiet (ish), very smart ... but VERY expensive!

And not near the Northern Line.  If you will have to rely on the tube.

Elizabeth!  They have changed the timetables since you left, so the trains are much more frequent and reliable now!


Vicky

Elizabeth!  They have changed the timetables since you left, so the trains are much more frequent and reliable now!


Vicky

Ok then.

I just remember when I first moved there, when I told everyone what tube line I lived near, the reaction was always a pitiful and knowing "Ah," which I never understood... until about a year later.  I used to count the times during the week where the train was NOT delayed, as they were fewer than when it was.
WHEN it IS working, it is a good line to be near.

As far as living areas, I lived in Finchley, which I loved.  Very nice, suburban, leafy... I even knew and was friendly with my neighbors (until the new landlord took over), and my dry cleaner.  And though going north is further out of Central London, West Finchley up to High Barnet are all lovely.

It really will come down to where you work/how long you are willing to travel/what you can afford. Commuting in London is a different animal than LA. Worse in many ways if you can imagine! 

From personal experience, I'd recommend not living directly under the landing flight path to Heathrow! 

I don't know, I've been to NY and London many times and the big difference is that people walk over there opposed driving. So instead of cramming freeways and driving bumper-to-bumper from the Valley to Downtown,  every one is bum-to-bum in the subways

Thanks for that input everyone!

London is a huge place. Your mileage may vary.