Stroud Green, a once modest working-class pocket of north London, is quickly becoming a foodie’s paradise. Even if not considering the move, it’s a neighbourhood that is worth the visit. Locals would agree that one of your first stops must be the award- winning Max’s Sandwich Shop. More than just a simple sandwich shop, diners try out some of the most creative combinations - all designed by Max himself, who recently published his own cookbook. Wandering down towards Finsbury Park, visitors must have a pint or two at The Old Dairy, which was quite literally a dairy back in the day. For those with large enough appetites, a stop-over at Il Piccolo Diavolo is one that won’t be regretted. After all of this, you’ll surely need to walk it off with a stroll along the scenic Parkland Walk. Following a trip like this to Crouch Hill, you’ll begin to understand why so many Londoners are moving into the quaint terraced houses in the area.

Crouch Hill, back at the start of the 19th century, was just an area of farmland, with only a few villas throughout it. Later on, in 1868, Crouch Hill station opened and led to the building of a slew of suburban homes. Around this time, the Friern Manor Dairy Company, who owned several farms in London, began to sell a good portion of their products from a shop in the neighbourhood. Much later, following the First World War, the boroughs of Haringey and Islington both began to build council houses in the area, while subdividing some of the existing large homes into flats. With the incorporation of the local station into the Overground network, the area has begun to become more popular amongst young professionals.

Famous footballer, Laurie Cunningham (1956-1989), used to live in the neighbourhood. During his career, he was considered the first black footballer to play for England in a professional international match, and was the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid.

The rates of vandalism in the neighbourhood are much higher than surrounding areas in London. Even so, the overall crime rates in the area are lower than the borough’s averages. Residents report generally feeling extremely safe in the area. This is likely a partial product of the neighbourhood’s changing demographics, with the gentrifying influence of North London’s young professionals causing some division in the area.

Haringey Council has recently launched grants for the construction of affordable houses in the area. These grants are open to housing associations, registered providers, and private developers. If the builders are willing to provide affordable rentals in the area, they’ll be able to receive a grant that will cover 30% of their costs. It is therefore unsurprising that there are a couple of residential-led developments in the pipeline. Between 392 and 394 Seven Sisters Road a new residential block is under construction, comprising 25 new apartments. On top of this, the City North project, in the south of this neighbourhood, was recently completed, providing 355 new homes in the area. Set across four buildings including two 23-storey towers, this project has radically altered the architectural landscape of the area. However, with prices starting at £890,000 it is unclear whether this project was aided by the council’s grant scheme.