We've found a flat in the Finsbury Park area off Tollington Park behind Hornsey Road. How is safe is the area?

Question

We've lived down the road in Archway for a while but need to be nearer a Victoria Line station. There is a bus stop outside the block which has a night bus from central London which is reassuring. I've read very mixed things about the area - I realise it's not the most desirable area in London but unfortunately we have a limited budget. I'm just trying to sort the Daily Mail-esque hyperbole from the reality.

Thank you one and all.

Answer 1

Have a look at Upmystreet website.  Type in the postcode of the flat and it will tell you about the area.  Why not visit the area in the evening and see whether you feel ok about it?  I live in an area which has a bit of a reputation (Tottenham), but have never had any problems in the time I have lived here.

Answer 2

The one with the bus stop outside, handy. Do you work? Have you got a flat screen tv? Its the same there as anywhere else, you look for it you'll find it. Now about this TV, when do you work, exactly?

Answer 3

How safe is anywhere these days?  I've lived in SE London between Peckham and Brixton for 18 years and have had no problems though I've no doubt other people have had some.  

Try the link below, put in your postcode and see what comes up under 'Local area' - it usually includes crime figures (if you trust them).

My feeling is trust your instinct.

Answer 4

Another very objective way to assess the risk of burglary is to get insurance quotes for house contents.  Insurers work from actuarial tables of risk, based on the number of claims made in an area.  If you ask for insurance for the same sort of house, and the same value of items, and the different postcodes you will see straight away if they think you are more likely to be burgled where you are now or in the new place.

From experience, when I worked in Finsbury Park in the 80s, it was a vile place with real danger of mugging and murder.  Gentrification has changed it a lot in 20 years, but it is still rougher than say kentish town or islington, as you would expect.  If you buy in a street with lots of other owner occupiers and skips outside the likelihood is that it will be a good road for the area.  That might mean you have like-minded neighbours but it could attract burglars to the more well off pickings.

I always knock on doors and speak to people in streets where I am looking to move if there are none in ther gardens or coming out.  People are almost alwas happy to tell you about their experience of living there.   If you want to know about the people either side of where you woudl live, knock on the doors 2 away from you either side. If your potential neighbours are noisy, they will tell you.

Answer 5

no worse, no better than anywhere, as you say dismiss the hyperbole.

Plus you have good transport systems up there, buses, trains and underground. It all helps

plus if you like, or can afford to go to the football, Arsenal ground is only around the corner.