Anybody know what west drayton is like?

Question

hi there.

been asked to look around a property in West Drayton, does anybody know what it is like there? is it a nice area? good for children? only honest answers please

Answer 1

Okay if you like aircraft, it's on the doorstep of Heathrow Airport. West Drayton was the main hub for air traffic control for that airport (although that may have moved to more modern premises and systems). So, you need to check if at anytime you will be under a flight path.

Answer 2

West Drayton is not a nice place. I've known it for decades and it was depressing in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's.

It's very sad that the place is so poor because it is very well located for transport (M25, M4, the GWR Main Line, Heathrow) and is close to Uxbridge for the Underground.

Also, house prices are relatively high. I suppose this is because of its location rather than the quality of life.

I'm sure that it's not the councillors of the borough of Hillingdon or the local police force who go around trashing the place.

Unfortunately the inhabitants of West Drayton just don't seem to care about their own town. It's shabby, especially in the estates to the east of the main north-south road; the local shops are limited and of generally poor quality (apart from a couple of supermarkets); vandalism is rife; the main roads are always congested; general crime is quite high (but very few murders - so far); etc., etc.  

For example: Take a trip along Porter's Way and through the estates that are fed from that road. You'll see boarded up shopping precincts and tatty 'playgrounds'.



There are half a dozen pubs which vary from Dire to Ghastly and a few 'greasy spoon' cafes. This is mitigated by "Woodys", probably the best hamburger take-away in west London (it's just over the border in Yewsley).

Although there are some 'open spaces' there is very little for children.  

Heathrow airport is close (about 5 miles to the south) but the aeroplanes don't fly overhead so airport noise is not a problem at the moment. But, if the proposed Heathrow northern expansion goes ahead then noise will become a very big problem; because the approaches to the planned new runway will pass overhead.

Personally, I wouldn't touch the place, even with someone else's bargepole.  If you must live in the vicinity then consider Uxbridge, Yewsley, Richings Park, even Slough (Langley).