What's the neighbourhood around Finsbury Park like?

Question

I'm considering moving to Finsbury Park from Bloomsbury. I found a great flat just off Seven Sisters, a bit past Blackstock coming from Finsbury Park tube station. I've heard crime's an issue but can someone just honestly tell me how bad it is compared to the King's Cross area? Other general information about the neighbourhood would be much appreciated as well. I would be living in a fourth floor flat (building seems secure enough) with 2 other girls, none of us yet 20.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Blackstock Road has a bad reputation particularly around the top half, there was a massive raid on the road recently.  Moving towards the station & up the Stroud Green Road, it's much nicer.  Having said that there's a good pub on the Blackstock Road called the T Bird, The Twelve Pins at the junction of Stroud Grn & Seven Sisters.  On the Stroud Green Road, CATS is a good restaurant (Thai) & The Old Dairy at the very top of the Stroud Green Road is good.  

Do be warned, the area is an Arsenal stronghold & even though the grounds have moved, the fans do still converge on the area but don't worry, they're as good as gold, you probably won't even notice they're there unless you're trying to go for a pint on match day.    

You'll be very close to the Park, they done a major makeover in the last few years & it looks great at the moment.  

There are also great transport links, you'll have the 29 (to Trafalgar via Camden Town) & 253 (to Euston via Camden), 19 (to  Upper Street, Islington) and two tube lines, Victoria & Piccadilly lines, the overground goes to Moorgate.  

On Seven Sisters there's a Tesco Express & there's also a small Lidl, there's a larger Tesco on Stroud Grn Rd & loads of little shops selling exotic foods.  

Despite the reputation the area has there's great colour & life to the place, I won't say I often wander around on my own at night but  I do occasionally & I've never had any problems.  But as the previous poster said exercise your common sense when you're out & about on your own.

Answer 2

I wouldn't let my 18 yo daughter out alone around there.  I am not sure which way you mean from the tube, but the hotels along Seven Sisters Road used to have a reputation.  The area improves considerably the further up Stroud Green Road you go.

Bloomsbury is a much nicer area, but I presume you live near KC station.  If you are street wise enough to survive around there, FP won't bother you.