Archway - North London?

Question

I am thinking about renting a flat I have found in Archway, North London. Does anyone know what it is like around there?None of London is particularly safe these days and I have lived in rubbish parts before so I am quite streetwise, but I've just been told that it is seriously unadvisable to even walk down the road in Archway after the evening time. My flat mate and I are both girls and the flat is 5 mins from the station - we would obviously get taxis if its late but what about in the winter at 8/9pm? Will we be safe? Has anyone lived there?

Answer 1

Archway aint that bad,  But certain areas surrounding archway are pretty dodgy such as finsbury park, tottenham, holloway rd,camden etc.I have personally never had any problems in archway and i quite like it there.

Answer 2

It's not the safest or most desirable area in London, but I would much rather live there than parts of west or south London.

As with anywhere in London, just keep your wits about you and - as you say - get taxis when it's late or dark. It's usually busy around 8/9pm so if your flat is near the station, you should have no problems walking home. Consider buying a rape alarm anyway, just in case.

The good thing about living in Archway is the location - it's near some lovely areas like Highgate, Hampstead and Belsize Park. The transport links into central London are excellent and a cab back from Soho or Covent Garden at night isn't that expensive.

Obviously if you can afford to rent in the leafier, safer suburbs then do; but if you can't, Archway is ok for short term rentals. (Can you try a 3 or 6 month lease to see if you like the area?)

You could also take a few friends there one evening after 8/9pm, just to see how the area 'feels' for you. Go with your gut instinct :)

Answer 3

I work not far from Archway and live just a little further away ... during the day it's fine and I've never felt threatened at all ... not the most beautiful of areas but like someone else has already said there are some lovely places not far away, such as Waterlow Park, Highgate Cemetery where Karl Marx is buried, Hampstead Heath, Highgate Woods

the transport links are great ... tube and lots of buses

after dark ... it certainly isn't a "no go" area but you would need to be streetwise ... 5 minutes from the tube station should be OK but keep your wits about you ... walking down the main roads is fine, it's when you turn off into quieter roads that you might be vulnerable ... I certainly don't think you'd need to get a taxi back but on the other hand if you're coming home later, e.g. after 9-10pm maybe it would be best to be with someone