Living in London?

[thischarmingman]

Right, so I'm moving across the water next month and need to find somewhere to live. I realise it's a massive city, but where would you London-based forummers suggest as a good place to live there? Looking for somewhere fairly cheap, with good nightlife and transport links. A friend has recommended Stoke Newington, and from looking it up online it seems like a nice place to be. I should add, I don't have a job sorted yet so I can't base it on that. Anyway, any help or general advice appreciated...

In the reward, enjoy this Dylan Moran clip.

[Hibs4Ever]

Lived up around Finchley/Barnet area for a few years, great area, though not very cheap. Also lived in Ealing for a while, not bad if you can tolerate students

[Mr A]

I used to live in Harlesden. Stay away from it, not a very nice place!

[Hibs4Ever]

I used to live in Harlesden. Stay away from it, not a very nice place!

Can say similar about Southall. I last one month there!

[Closed Account 2]

Depends where you are going to be working. But West Hampstead / Kilburn has nice areas and decent transport. If you live south of the river you might have a bad commute (few tube lines, all busy).

[juan]

Albert Square in Walford. It's a bit depressing but there never seems to be a dull moment.

[Pauro 76]

Living in Tooting, south west London. It's ok but gritty enough. Not a fan of Clapham and Putney, it's surrounding areas. Full of estate agent type t0ssers. Used to live in Hendon, that's pretty decent. Good links to central London too.

[sligoman]

Elephant and Castle, great pub nearby called The Prince of Wales, what more do ya need!

[saintmaniac]

Right, so I'm moving across the water next month

Not you as well!

Ahh, who am I kidding. I'll probably be following right behind you.

Have friends in Tooting as well, can echo Pauro's description of it as 'gritty'. I've stayed with them a few times and wouldn't want to be hanging around the area too much late at night. Still, it's not bad transport-wise. Have family off the Seven Sisters Road in Hackney as well - not far from Stoke Newington, but it's a bit rough and seemingly getting worse. My cousin's latest suspicion is that there's a pickpocket on every London bus - not sure how true this is, and how much it's being linked to "these Eastern Europeans" coming in, but there does seem to be a dodgy element among them in fairness, particularly in his area. Friend of mine moving near the Old Kent Road next month, his girlfriend is worried about the rep of the area, but their apartment is apparently great and they're living in the same building as a lot of students, so they're a bit happier. Safety in numbers and all that.

Stoke Newington/Finsbury Park does seem to be the dream, although I'd say you'll be paying for it...

[Bluebeard]

Well, I spent a year in Mile End and found it fine, to be honest. Decent tube connection and a couple of decent pubs. It isn't too bad a place pricewise either if you keep your eyes open.

Brixton isn't too bad either, depending. It is going to be tough to get a cheap place there in three or four years time though - gentrification happening as we speak.

I'd personally be wary around Nellie and Castle, though, some good spots, some not so great. I did work there though so that wouldn't help.

Unfortunatley, the best value is probably South of the river, but is a castrater owing to the poor transport, if there is a train link direct to centre, that isn't too bad.

Finally, are you following me at a distance? You moved to Dublin shortly after I left, now this?

[thischarmingman]

Finally, are you following me at a distance? You moved to Dublin shortly after I left, now this?

Do you remember when you were in Cornwall, at the monastery, there was an old shepherd with whom you used to talk?
Good Lord! Timkins?
Yes, I was one of his sheep!

[centre mid]

Lived around Hammersmith a mid 90's and that was fine, well served by transport, not the greatest for nightlife but not the worst.

[pineapple stu]

Cousin of mine lives in Enfield; seems quite a nice area. Nice quiet wooded walk down by the canal/river (can't remember which) to The Cricketers pub - that kind of place. It's about half an hour by train from the City one way and ten minutes' drive from rolling countryside the other. No idea about nightlife though; was only there for his wedding and pints of an evening a few months later.

[Den Perry]

Lived up around Finchley/Barnet area for a few years, great area, though not very cheap. Also lived in Ealing for a while, not bad if you can tolerate students

no, too close to Ealing Green....

[Pauro 76]

Not strictly London, but Kingston-upon-Thames in south west London is a cracking town. Plenty of trains going to Waterloo, some great pubs and comedy club that attracts a few big names, and quite close to Heathrow too, you could do a lot worse.