Willesden Green? | Net Of The Woods | The world's hyperlocal forum

2013-08-18 09:04:37

westflotilla
Joined: 2013-07-30 14:26:20
Posts: 40

vaguely off topic, but does anybody know why the announcement on the Jubilee Line going to Willesden Green sounds like a gameshow host announcing you've won a prize?

is a Jubilee Line service to.... WILLLLLLLLLLLLLLESDEN GREEEEEN

Maaaan. That was my primary thought. Willesssssden green!!!

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2013-08-18 12:50:37

jubilantobedient
Joined: 2013-07-30 14:43:33
Posts: 17

It's very middle class these days. Not entirely how I remember WIllesden.

Willesden proper, like towards the bus garage and past the library, that's still a place I would steer clear of at night. But the only grounds I could think you'd end up there is if you fell fast asleep on the 98.

I feel you're partially right, it's undoubtedly dodgier than Willesden Green but it's still improved quite a bit.

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2013-08-18 14:32:37

bygander
Joined: 2013-08-02 16:37:50
Posts: 16

Born as well as bred in Willesden Green. The area is harmless enough, though give notice at night as you would in any major city.

Willesden Green is fantastic in that you can get into town with no trouble from here and you have Gladstone Park not far away at all. It's become more gentrified in the last 10 years, we're fortunate to have a lovely independent cafe in Nest at the station and The Queensbury is a nice pub other than the sofas vaguely falling apart below you.

The top end of Kilburn towards the Jubilee line station has nice things such as the Tricycle Theater and The Good Ship pub/club. Further south it's mostly just pound shops and Argos. Much of Kilburn was dreadfully hit by the recession, though it's a wonderful mixing pot of different people. The North London Tavern in Kilburn is welcoming but a little expensive.

And now the only two songs I know written about Willesden Green: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rucD74L8fFo Willesden Green - The Kinks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPzUTYktIr8 Willesden to Cricklewood - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

Any further questions, let me know.

Thanks a lot for the thorough reply!

The proximity to Jubilee line does come across handy and I had forgotten about Gladstone Park.

Do you reckon it's a enjoyable enough place for a young couple? Or would we be better off looking anywhere like the popular Clapham?

We're torn. The flat itself it's amazing but, although the pubs and cafés close by sound lovely, we're vaguely worried about it being too quiet.

I think it's got the lot you need for a home in London. Good local drinking (The Queensbury). Good neighboring restaurants (Sanzios-Italian &Spice 6- Indian). Good coffee (Nest). trustworthy groceries (Sainsburys or any of the appealing smaller shops where you can buy Albanian crisps or other such groovy examples of globalisation is action). More chemists than you can shake a stick at. Rather lovely take away luxurious pizza (Firezza). The best fish and chip shop I know of in North London (Big Bite) and in conclusion the aforementioned amazing large park(Gladstone).

It's got at least one of all the basics and more and it does them well. For all else, it's only 21 minutes down the tube to Piccadilly Circus. The change from the Jubilee line to the Bakerloo at Baker Street is just crossing the platform.

The Queensbury is great. in particular after the refurb.

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2013-08-18 17:04:37

bygander
Joined: 2013-08-02 16:37:50
Posts: 16

It's very middle class these days. Not entirely how I remember WIllesden.

Willesden proper, like towards the bus garage and past the library, that's still a place I would steer clear of at night. But the only grounds I could think you'd end up there is if you fell fast asleep on the 98.

Done that a few times. It was demanding walking my drunk ass back.

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2013-09-21 09:54:48

SaraN
Joined: 2013-09-21 09:43:21
Posts: 2

My daughter and her bf are just buying there. It's become eye-wateringly expensive (or maybe I am out of date)

I suppose the Jubilee Line is the big draw - can't see much else.

Not far from Kilburn/West Hampstead which, according to daughter, has all that a young professional could possibly desire from a Sainsbury's that stocks challah to the joys of the Tricycle theatre and Monday comedy at a local pub - the Ship is it - or the Cock - or both.

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2013-09-21 11:50:55

kittyDigest
Joined: 2013-09-21 11:46:28
Posts: 1

I feel Willesden Green is a bit of a secreted gem. It's quiet, quite safe, has good connections to the city centre (remarkably it's Zone 2), yet the rent is relatively moderate and there's just about all you need to get by shopping-wise.

Willesden Green tube station is a good one if you work in the centre too, as it only takes about 15 minutes to get to Bond Street nevertheless it's far enough out that you can actually get a seat in rush hour.

It is true that there are a number of very rough areas not too far away (Harlesden in particular is notorious), however it's easy enough not to stray into them. Just be careful that the part you elect to live in genuinely is Willesden Green, I'm definite there will be some landlords who try to pass Dollis Hill/Cricklewood/Harlesden off as Willesden Green. ultimately the closer you are to the tube station, the better.

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