Living in Finsbury Park

First impressions of Finsbury Park aren’t forgiving – men on benches rambling about loves lost and run-down shops with closed shutters at midday don’t make an attractive picture of an area. And the rule that train stations are dodgy definitely applies here.

But there’s far more to this area. Get two minutes’ walk away from the station and things relax. The city landscape is mottled with gastropubs, independent restaurants and pattisseries. And now the station area is getting a much-needed facelift – set to be finished in 15 years – estate agents actually can call it ‘up and coming’.

To anyone put off moving to the area because of its dangerous image, Amanpreet Singh, from Ludlow Thompson estate agents in Blackstock Road, says: “Come and check it out. It may have a reputation, but it’s nothing like what people think it is. More people are moving here because it’s affordable but there’s also a lot of money coming in with new flats being built.”
Like many areas tagged with the ‘up and coming’ label, Finsbury Park has working- class roots. But now it’s attracting more and more young professionals and students in their twenties.

Aside from the fact that it’s still dirt-cheap to live there, why is Finsbury Park getting so popular? Gary Anderson, from Michael Morris estate agents in Blackstock Road, says: “It’s not one of anything. It’s very mixed – the restaurants, the shops, the people – and people really like that. And once they’ve moved here, people generally tend to stay longer.” Finsbury Park residents are spoiled for transport. Being slap-bang on the Victoria and Piccadilly lines, it’s easy to get to the city centre, and there are also trains out of London, to places such as Bedford and Cambridge, and, crucially, to Luton Airport, for escapes to sunnier spots.

When you’re spending your weekends closer to home, there’s the sprawling Finsbury Park and Gillespie Park for jogging, plus plenty of pubs to reward yourself in after work. The Faltering Fullback in Perth Road is the most talked- about, with its three-tier outdoor decking, TV for sports and live music on Sundays.

The World’s End in Stroud Green Road (capitalpubcompany.com/the-worlds-end) has Monday-night poker sessions and The Silver Bullet, opposite the station is a sweaty alternative club, holding nights entitled Push It (old-school hip hop) and Black Cat (northern soul and ska).

Stroud Green Road has its foodie gems. Ozay Has, from Future Homes, in the same street, says: “There’s pizza place called Pizzeria Pappagone, which has been there for years and there’s Petek Turkish restaurant, which is always full.”The critics’ choice is the constantly packed Dotori for cheap Korean and Japanese food, and the chilled-out, French-run Boulangerie Bon Matin on Tollington Park – best for reading the weekend papers with delicious coffee and patisserie goodies.

So when you start looking for a place to lay your head, you’ll find London’s usual mix of period conversions, bargainous ex-council flats and a burgeoning base of new apartments.
Heading towards Highbury, Blackstock Road has some hot properties and Stroud Green Road is also quite sought-after as it’s far enough from the station but close enough to the action.

Finsbury Park is starting to make its mark on the London map, so get in there while it’s still cheap.

- Clare Vooght

N4 INFO

Borough: Islington

Council Tax: £961.81

Travel time to London: 10mins

Tube: Finsbury Park; Zone 2; Victoria Line

Average room share 1 bed: £500pcm

Average rental 1 bed: £1000pcm

Average flat 1 bed: £210,000

FOR RENT:

FLATSHARE; £650pcm

A first-floor ex-council maisonette with large rooms and a commmunal garden. The bright furnished flat has three bedrooms, a bathroom, lounge and kitchen.

Listed on Future Homes.

ONE-BEDROOM FLAT; £910pcm

A newly refurbished top-floor flat in a Victorian building just north of the park. With one bedroom, a large living room and a brand new kitchen/ diner.

Listed on Michael Morris.

TWO-BEDROOM FLAT; £1,300pcm

A bright and airy first-floor flat on Gloucester Drive – a quiet street close to the park. Furnished, modern kitchen, laminate flooring and two good-sized bedrooms.

Listed on Michael Morris.

FROM THE RESIDENTS:

Max Clilverd, 21, Musician

“The Stapleton [Crouch Hill] is great. It’s the rival to The Dairy across the road – a bit pretentious and gastro – but The Stapleton
is really friendly.”

Bex Daynes, 30, Mum

“I like living here. There’s a sense of community and I bump into a lot of people. I like having coffee at Boulangerie Bon Matin and at The Front Room [in Tollington Park].”

Alicja Naumi, 23, Barista

“I’ve only been working in Finsbury Park a week but my first impressions are good! I like the area and all the people are nice. The park is huge and really nice.”