What are the nice neighbourhoods in North London?

Question

I am currently living in Stoke Newington but need to buy a bigger house as my family is expanding, and I can't afford to buy in SN.

I care about: schools, transport, and crime; and I work in West London. Can cope with a 10 mile cycle to/from work in Shepherd's Bush.

I am looking at places like Harrow, Finchley, and Acton, but don't really know anything about any of them. Any advice on these or other areas would be most welcome.

Sorry, should have added that I need to live in North London for family reasons - need to be able to get to the North quickly and can't face a drive through the city at the start. Thanks for any help all.

Answer 1

Finchley is a a very nice area, big as well, North finchely and Finchley central have the bigger shopping facilities than the rest of Finchley and good transport links (bus services and the northern line) it also has a low crime rate. The down side is that the northern line isn't the most reliable of transport links and finchley can be very expsensive.
The most expensive areai n Haringey is probably muswell Hill, although the majority of houses go for £300,000 upwards, this is trendy with a low crime rate but no underground/overground links just bus services (well a short bus ride to either bounds Green station or East Finchley station- depending on what side you are on). It is right next to Alexandra Palace park which is great for the family in the summer (and also has a huge ice skating rink). A more affordable option would be crouch end. Still very trendy, it has an over ground rail and more affordable (lovely) houses.
There are number of good schools in the area- the famous Latimer grammer school is close to crouch end and within the boroughs of Barnet/Enfield /Haringey. Fortismere is a good school in the muswell hill area, Wood House a good sixth form college.
Areas like Harrow are getting quite far in regards to transport- it depends what you are after.
Barnet has lovely houses, further out in Hartfordshire there are good schools, reduced crime, however you would be dependent on National rail (which will take you to Kings Cross).
If you want more of the hustle and bustle then, Islington is nice, nice houses and quite busy- however being so close to Camden and Holloway, finsbury Park. The crime rate is noticably high.
Somewhere like New Southgate or Enfield town would be a nice comprimise.
Areas to stay away from (although trendy, and expensive) based on crime is Wood Green, Tottenham, Criclkewood/ Hendon, North Finchely. Camden/ Finsbury Park. Edmonton

Answer 2

Areas quite far North such as Crouch End are really nice for families.
You may even like to go as far as Manor House which is a really nice area and reasonably priced too.
Personally I wouldn't like to live in Finchley or Acton but Harrow is also quite reasonably priced and a decent area. It is quite up and coming.