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So my DH just forwarded me an email... basically people we went to university with (but I don't know them) are moving to London. The husband is going to LSE and they have a toddler. They were told to look for housing in these areas: Borehamwood (N), Towner Hamlets, Hackney, Islington, Camden, Bermondsy, Finchley, Depford, and Camberwell.
Honestly I haven't even heard of most of them! I thought that you ladies would probably have a better idea. So... are they decent areas to live? Affordable? Easy to get into the city? What part of the city would you recommend? Anyone want to make more suggestions?
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Re: London peeps
I was at LSE for the 2009-2010 year and currently live in Islington. Who told him to look for housing in those areas? It seems like a really odd mix to me.
It takes me about 30 minutes to get to LSE from where I currently live (10 minutes to get to the tube, 15 minutes on the tube, and 5 minutes walk to LSE). There are lots of kids in this area and many parks, as well as art classes, a library, etc.
If being close to LSE is a priority, they should also consider Clerkenwell, as the hubby might be able to walk. Some housing along the Southbank near London Bridge/Southwark area is also convenient for walking to LSE. Bloomsbury/Fitzrovia can also be nice but usually far pricier for very little extra convenience (in my view).
Also, he should find out how many hours/days per week he'll actually be in class. My first term, I was in 3 days/week (10 week term) and then two days/week second term. The third term was 'revision' and I had perhaps one revision session a week. I mention this because it would open up a longer commute option--which could add areas of London.
How much do they have to speed per week?
Well, Tower Hamlets is in zone 1 just north of the river, closer to the east side of London. I had a friend who lived there and she could walk to the Tower of London. It doesn't seem very "neighborhood-y" to me. I'd probably consider renting a flat there if I were coming for a few months, but not for an extended period of time.
Bermondsey I love. It's a cute neighborhood nestled behind London Bridge on the South side of the river. There are a few small parks, and really nice cafes and restaurants. It's within walking distance to London Bridge station and Borough Market (Yum!). I lived there for a couple of months. The downside is that there aren't any good supermarkets, so they'd likely have to order their groceries online, or shop for food at Borough Market, which is only open a few times a day and is expensive. I don't know how practical that is with a toddler.
Islington is beautiful and convenient to the city center. We looked there, but it was pricier than the area we settled on. It is a really nice neighborhood.
I don't really know about the others.
Borehamwood is really nice, especially if you live a bit out of the town center. They would have more space, a garden, access to bigger shopping areas, etc. However, it's north of London and would be more expensive to commute (but maybe a tad cheaper for housing, depends on what they want to live in). The commute would be a train journey of 24 minutes to London St Pancras and then about 10 minutes on the tube.
Although it would be considered a suburb, we don't really do suburbs here. The towns are more village-like and the Borehamwood & Elstree area is very green (lots of fields, parks, etc) and family-friendly.
How to Play House blog
That is really random mix of places! I wonder what their reasoning was... to be honest LSE is central and easily commutable. I would think anywhere east-ish (north, south or due east) would be fine.
I work about a 5 minute walk away and live south (Clapham Junction) and it takes me about 30 minutes to get to work.
I guess it depends on what their budget is and what they want from the area!
I live in Hackney and as UK said it's a mixed bag, nice areas and then horrible ones, really depends. As for Tower Hamlets, there is a nice area of Tower Hamles/ HAckney right by Victoria Park, which is very close to me. There are amazing mansions and nice family homes. I know there is a club for children and moms during the day in the park, I walk past it all the time.
I have also lived in Finchley and liked it there.
I lived in Greenwich as well, which was a nice little village.
Will we see you on Sunday? I would love to meet you and your family!
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