So my daughter has accepted her first job, post degree, in London - So now needs to find a flat/room hopefully with similar minded people/age group - She has looked at various sites like spare room and come across a couple of good potential options in Balham
- She has read up a bit about the area, be it crime rates/safety, bars/eating/social, transport/tube into town, sports etc and she likes the idea of it
My first comment was I had never heard of Balham - I mentioned it to 2 lads I know who have worked in London many times over the years and both side avoid like the plague - A 3rd person said, no to the other 2 lads as it has been totally transformed
So wearing my dad's hat and wanting to look out for her safely, but from a far, any comments about Balham from those who know the area better than I do
At this stage don't need/want comments about she'll be better renting in Ealing, Cricklewood, Edgware, Finsbury Park etc etc etc - She has looked at many flat options and likes Balham and has already had FaceTime chats with her potential flat mates - So kind of appreciate any good and/or bad news about Balham
Thanks - Mark
Comments
That area is pretty safe in general, and it's telling that when the riots were going on it had nothing happen, probably because all the Carribbean mums would drag you home by your ear if you misbehaved.
Did they say why they avoid it like the plague? I've only known it as being a genteel area, due to the park, swimming pool, and plethora of shops, bars and cafes.
I think one of the lads who said avoid like the plague, it will be better if I pass on his full comments as to racists to mention - But it was based more on Brixton etc and probably the days of the 70's/80's
As above, the Brixton/Peckham area used to be pretty risky up to about 20 years ago. Completely changed these days, although still rough around the edges in some places. I’m in Camberwell & it’s mostly full of hipster bars & restaurants. The Caribbean & Ghanaian communities are still prevalent so still got some of its old soul.
https://youtu.be/8RTWk9QIKS0
I lived there about 30 years ago and it was a safe area then, from friends who are there now it only seems to have improved so I wouldn’t be concerned.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
That means a lot and she is picking up such vibes about other 'professionals' living there - Whilst she is working north of the Thames, she said it was a straight tube trip to work, with little walking either end and no changes so that was also a bonus
I put it in a similar category to Putney & Clapham which is the same but "more".
Ealing Broadway is similar but I like it less. Finsbury Park has more nightlife, perhaps a bit more trendy.
None are any safer or less safe than others .......
Last saturday at 5pm a twat on an electric scooter tried to mug me /steal phone on the main road in Hampstead ,a very smart expensive area (they failed ) and just before Christmas I collapsed and passed out in a very rough area (Tottenham /Edmonton) whilst carrying a brief case/laptop etc and was helped by 2 girls and 2 young men who were proper gang-banger types and really looked after me until Paramedics arrived .
I used to live in St John's Wood (one of the most exclusive areas ).......my neighbour was followed home held at gunpoint for 4 hours during which time she was raped and ...they waited in the house for the Husband to come home when they beat him senseless before taking him to a series of cashpoints and driving off in his car when they exhausted his cards . A month later a drug -dealer was stabbed to death in our front garden and we had a white police tent there for 2 weeks .
The profile of the area has very little to do with personal safety.
But for a 22 year old girl, putting her down on a pillow at night, for the first time, I want her to feel comfortable
Sorry about your own bad experiences - Hope she only hears about such stories and never see's or experience's such issues
You have to go well into No Man's land 15 miles outside Greater London to find local papers with Headlines like " Chairman of Bowls Club resigns over Mole infestation "
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I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to