Crouch End

Crouch End is in a valley between Haringay, Hornsey, Muswell hill and Wood Green.
Crouch End has a busy town center with a village charm and is surrounded by a number of green spaces. To the north and up a hill is Alexander Palace, a huge green area  that has wonderful views of London.  To the south Frinsbury Park which is major tube line.  Crouch End is inaccessible by tube and I believe that this is what has kept its charm. To get to Crouch End you can get a tube to Turnpike Lane and then get a 41 bus, or get a Train to Wood Green and get a W3 bus which goes through Alexander Palace and is a nice ride.  Or get the tube to Frinsbury Park and get a W3 to Crouch end. Avoid catching the bus between 3-4pm as these buses are used by school children at a local high school/secondary school and become very crowded.  

I highly recommend Dunn's Bakery for Cornish Pasty's, Sausage rolls and many more tasty treats.
Dunn’s Bakery was first established in Highgate way back in 1820. That makes them one of the longest-running bakers in North London.  Robert Freeman started the first Freeman family business on Highgate Hill in 1827. Christopher and Christina Freeman live in Crouch End and are part of the local community.

Staying in London on a Budget

LONDON is one of the most exciting cities in the world, but it can be very costly without the right guidance. Were should you stay? what attractions can you see? and how to travel within London are all things things that do not need to break the bank. Staying and traveling in London on a budget is possible. Lets see how!

Youth Hostels are a great way to meet people. Affordable, clean and central accommodation.
Youth Hostels

Couch Surfing - Participate in Creating a Better World, One Couch ...One World. A volunteer-based worldwide network connecting travelers with members of local communities, who offer free accommodation and/or advice.
Couchsurfing.

Bed and Breakfast are a comfortable choice to stay in London you have a huge choice and get the famous English breakfast every morning.
Bed and Breakfast in London

Gumtree.com - On this site select London as the city you want, on Gumtree (like Craigslist) you will find vacation homes, apartments to rent, bed and breakfast and hotels. All at very reasonable prices. 
Gumtree 

Airbnb - This is a great site for around the world. Inexpensive rooms or apartments/flats to let. Or stay in luxuary this site has both ends of the scale.
Airbnb

Camping In London - Yes we have campsites

Leevalley Park Camping

Have any questions about London Let me know!

Renting a apartment /flat in London

Q - I am looking at renting a apartment /flat in London. They said they quote the rent weekly, but it's due monthly. So, is the rent (280x52)/12 or basically (280x50)/12? I say that because there are 52weeks in a year, but here we are quoted and pay monthly, i.e. 280x4=monthly payment.


A - All rent is due monthly but some quote it weekly as above. To work it out you would 280x4 = 1120. You times the weekly amount by how many weeks in a month. It actually works out cheaper for you to do it weekly. 280x52=14560 or 280x4(x12)=13440 if you divide it like this, yearly amount by weeks in the year13440/52 you are only paying 258 a month. Not much difference but over a year it’s a saving of 1120. Which works out at a months free rent. Some do quote just a monthly amount. Check how they calculate if its weekly it might save you some money.

You can go through letting agents and I suggest you do to avoid dealing with landlords 1on1. Dealing with a Letting agent will make it easier for you and they can help you find out your rights, plus in my opinion it gives you more freedom of space, no one wants landlord breathing down their neck.
Make sure who ever you rent from you read the contract thoroughly do not assume you know your rights as it differs in each country and each letting agent will do things a little differently within the law.




A good source for finding flats houses and studios to rent in London is Gumtree.Its basically Craigslist for the UK. Do your research as to what area of London you want to live in. Each area varies in price and crime rate.


Another option is Airbnb I love this site. Some do long stays and you can rent out a whole flat/apartment or a room and you have the option of knowing a local or going it alone.

Londons communities - Camden

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I lived in London for 30yrs, its an eclectic mix of people, cultures, food and entertainment. When making the decision on were to stay in London, think of London as a series of small towns. Each one has its own personality and charm. The more Famous are Notting Hill, Highgate Village and Camden Town, each very different in its appeal. Decide on the kind of experience you want from London do your research and then choose a place to go.

No one place or area can sum up London, it has so many faces. With planning and my help you can see a few of those in one trip. What do you want from London?


CAMDEN

Camden Town offers a mind-bending variety of eclectic, intriguing and unique people. From Artist to punks, no one stands out in Camden town. Tourists and locals hunt for treasures in Camden's markets. Camden is in the middle of 3 rather posh and beautiful neighborhoods, Hampstead, Primrose hill and Bloomsbury. Camden can be perceived as rather gritty but it is a diamond in the rough for those who look beneath the surface. Full of restaurants, pubs, tattoo parlors and craft stores make sure you make it to the canal and have wonder through the market, sample the Moroccan food or have tapas and Salsa at the Cuban restaurant, a favorite of mine.

Main st of Camden

Camden Lock - restaurants and market near by

Indoor market at Camden Lock

5 Things not to miss In London

5 things you shouldn't miss!

1. The View from Alexander Palace In North London

2. Borough Market Under the Railway Bridge at London Bridge

3. The Walk from the Tate Modern to Charring Cross Station along the Embankment and pass the Royal Festival Hall at dusk

4. If you are there in the summer months the open air concerts at Kenwood they are free and everyone takes picnics and candles.

5. Take a train ride from Finsbury Park to Stratford on the over ground. Weaving through the London rooftops you get to see London's rugged beauty

A Guide to Travel in London - Public Transport

A Guide to Travel in London

The Basics

 

There are several type of public transport in London. There are London buses, over ground trains and underground trains also known as the "The Tube" or "The Underground"

LONDON BUSES are red. We have several types of buses now. We have Bendy Buses, Double Decker Buses, Single Decker and The Hop on Hop off Double Decker. Each are slightly different

Bendy Buses- (see top pic)  are mostly used for routes that go into central London. On these Buses you enter at any door and if you have an Oyster Card you swipe it yourself at any of the Oyster Locations points on poles in the bus. If you are paying Cash you get on at the door were the driver is sitting. You get off the bus at any door.

Double Decker and Single Decker Buses - you get on were the driver sits and you either pay your fare in cash, swipe your Oyster where the driver sits or show your travel card to the driver. You exit at the back doors.

The Hop on Hop off buses - (see pic below) are only found in Central London. The entrance and exit are the same door at the rear to the bus its open no actual door so be careful. You can get off anywhere the bus slows down at your own risk it is not advisable to do this but everyone does. There will be conductor on board and he will ask for fares please. You show him your pass or pay cash and then you will not need to show him again unless he asks you in person. I believe they may be phasing these buses out soon.

Buses are the cheapest way to travel in London Via public transport and a great way to see the city. However if time is a factor take the Tube.

The Tube..

The Tube is the most efficient and fastest way to travel across London, Its unusual to be waiting more than 10 minutes for a train, on most lines they come every 2-3 minutes. The routes are color coordinated and easy to follow.

Transport for London -  This is the link to the public transport for London website. It has live updates, maps, and you can buy travel tickets and top up your oyster online.

PAYMENT

Oyster Cards are plastic cards that you can put a fare type on, like a top up card for your mobile phone. You choose the fair type and either a machine or customer service person can do it for you, You can even do it online if you register the card. ( see link above)

Fare Types - Always ask if you are not sure the cheapest fare for what you plan to do that day.. NEVER PAY FOR A SINGLE FARE, (unless your only taking a single trip) This can end up being extremely expensive.

LONDON is broken down into zones for traveling, before you purchase your ticket make sure that you are valid for the zones you want to travel in. A map of the Underground are available at all Tube Stations and online at the link above.


If you have any more questions about traveling in London leave a comment and I will do my best to answer you.

Welcome to my Guide to London

Hello and welcome to the first post of Look to London.

Feel free to ask anything you need to know about traveling to, and living in London. From a weekend break to finding employment, negotiating public transport, language difference and yes there are many, to eating out and entertainment.

My name is Emily I have lived in London for 25yrs, and in rural England for 5. A total of 30 years in the UK. I am currently living in California with my husband.
London is a wonderful city but it can also be very intimidating. Where do you want to visit? Buckingham palace? the west end? or do you want to get off the beaten track and see real London. I can help.


I decided to write this blog for two reasons. My father in-law commented how great it was to have someone in London who knew the city and could advise and help him save money. He had bumped into a couple in his hotel that day who had spent $100 on travel fare in one day getting around London on the tube and buses. On my advice he had purchased a travel card for the week with unlimited travel on both bus and tube costing $50. Wow I thought some people really needed a little guidance.

My second inspiration is my sister in law. Myra lived in China for two years and started a blog advising people that wanted to move out there. I had started this blog a few years ago but let it fizzle out. Myra has inspired me to blog again. Her link is below, even if your not intending to move to China read her blog she is a talented and humorous writer.

Her blog is the Interactive Expat


Thanks for reading. Follow my posts and feel free to email me.