Enfield area

[mikemc88]

I'm not exactly local to the area, so not sure what the place is like really. I'm looking to buy a place which is easy to get to London by train and also on the M25.

I have driven around some of the area's. The town center, Enfield chase and along the road Chase Side seemed like good areas. Also looked at Enfield Lock as liked the look of some places but wasn't convinced on the area.

Just curious as to people who live in Enfield or nearby think? Any area's you'd recommend looking. Also considering Oakwood way but not looked at any properties there yet.

Thanks.

[Chris71]

I've lived in Enfield for about six years.

It's my only experience of living inside the M25, so I don't have much to compare it to, but here are a few thoughts.

Pros

• The northern side of Enfield is quite green and it's quite easy to get into (something approximating to) the countryside
• Good access to the M25
• Good links to Kings Cross (via Gordon Hill) and Liverpool St (via Enfield Town)
• A few bits - i.e. Gentleman's Row and the surrounding roads - are really quite nice

Cons

• No tube station in Enfield and it takes several buses to reach Oakwood or Barnet tube
• Like anywhere inside the M25 it's quite pricey compared to living a bit further out
• Personally I don't think it feels especially friendly (but my neighbours who used to live in Tottenham vehemently disagree - they think they've moved out to the country!)
• Low amenity value - Enfield has a few pubs and restaurants, but nothing of any note

Being harsh, I guess you could say that Enfield has a lot of the problems associated with a London suburb with relatively few of the perks that tend to come with them.

Personally I only ended up here because I was moving in with someone who already lived in the area, but it's probably not a bad call if you're looking for somewhere comparatively quiet and green in North London.

The further south and the further east you go the worse it gets. Personally I'd avoid anywhere off towards Edmonton and, like you say, concentrate on Chase Side and The Ridgeway type areas. Don't know what Oakwood is like to live in, but having a tube station on one side and Trent Park on the other sounds quite good...

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 21st February 18:14

[58ap]

Check out Hadley wood.

[mikemc88]

Thanks Chris for your opinions. Much appreciated. Took a look at a few more places at the weekend and walked around a bit more

And Hadley Wood, we weren't so keen on the area so ruled it out

[mgtony]

Avoid Hadley Wood, it's at least a 10 minute walk from your house to the street!

[peterattheboro]

I've lived just off Lancaster Road for the last 12 months. It's relatively quiet and never have any bother.

Will recommend Saathi on Chase Side. They do the best curries in Enfield

Winchmore Hill is nice and if you can get somewhere within walking distance to Southgate station then you'll be grand

[Chris71]

peterattheboro said:

Will recommend Saathi on Chase Side. They do the best curries in Enfield

+1

Saathi is well worth a visit if you're in Enfield.

Bits of Hadley Wood are brilliant, but it depends on your budget. You could delete half the digits from the value of the houses I drive past in Hadley and still exceed the GDP of a small country.

[Frixturbo]

I live in Oakwood, have done for 20yrs ... Not as quite as it use to be, but still a lovely place to live... you can walk around at any time and never feel unsafe.. Oakwood station is easy to get to...Some nice pubs, good schools, and generally a nice area...

I would avoid enfield town centre , if you live in Oakwood you can get to enfield within mins...

Hadley wood is beautiful area, overpriced & walking to Cockfosters tube is a pain...

[chucklebutty]

Aside from the Jolly Farmers and the Irish bar next to Esso, where are the nice pubs in Oakwood? I need to get out more.

[Chris71]

chucklebutty said:

Aside from the Jolly Farmers and the Irish bar next to Esso, where are the nice pubs in Oakwood? I need to get out more.

I was wondering that too! I thought Oakwood itself was only really the bit around the tube station and then it merged into Southgate/Enfield?

Maybe we need an Enfield area meet to orientate ourselves at some point.

[chucklebutty]

I took a bullet on Thursday and confirm the Jolly Farmers is not a patch on the Winchmore Hill pubs...

[Chris71]

Yep. Wouldn't really say any of the local pubs are anything to write home about.

The Wonder in between Chaseside and Lancaster Road used to be - and to a certain extent still is - a glorious anachronism. A real no-thrills drinking pub with good bar staff (well, Vit) and a curiously East End feel.

The Crown and Horeshoes just off Gentleman's Row is okay. Giant beer garden and acceptable food.

The more characterful, olde worlde places off round White Webbs and Crews Hill look inviting, but always seem to disappoint.

[TheKobra]

I've lived in Southgate for a little over 10 years and would say stick to Oakwood/Winchmore Hill/Cockfosters or even just over the border into Barnet. I'd personally avoid Enfield Lock and Ponders End but you get more for your money.

As said by others, we dont exactly have a buzzing nightlife but there are a few pubs in the town and a couple of decent restaurants.

Plenty of tube stations (3 within a 5 minute drive of me) and the M25 Potters Bar Junction isnt far.

[mikemc88]

Yeah wouldn't buy in Enfield Lock. We have had an offer accepted on a flat in Chase side so fingers crossed it all goes through. Thanks to everyone for the advice. We will be near saathi so will have to give that a try!

[s p a c e m a n]

Enfields best attraction is the drive through Krispy Kreme, I would consider moving there just for that

[NiceCupOfTea]

Never lived in Enfield but worked all over the borough for 8 years or so. Would agree with most of the stuff said so far. Stay further north IMHO. Enjoying the read, takes me back

[paul0843]

Oakwood.. It's like a little village with tube station very near..
Lived there for many many years..
Beautiful and quiet.. You only drive there if you live there..
Also disagree Hadley wood expensive.. Price per sq foot is the same as cockfosters
It just seems like that as houses tend to be bigger..