Camden..what's it like?

**trident-7** · 19th February 2020, 20:11

My daughter has been fortunate enough to have been offered a place at the Royal Veterinary College to study to become a vet. It's a very good and prestigious Vet school and she likes it a lot. She is, however, considering not accepting the offer because it's based in central London. Namely Camden, midway between Kings Cross & Regent's Park from what I can see on a map. The reason being because she's a bit worried about crime/violence and the cost of living there.

I haven't set foot in London for over 25 years. Can anybody advise me what it's like to live there from a practical point of view?

She's also got offers from Bristol, Edinburgh & Nottingham Universities so she's a bit spoilt for choice.

**hafle** · 19th February 2020, 20:19

I'd say it's like anywhere in London really. That doesn't really help, but my experience is that places like this, you have most demographics present depending on which street you walk down. For example, you have your paddy power with your drug dealers stood outside the door trying to peddle their gear, the next street over you have a new-build complex for £500k+ shoebox apartments occupied by professionals. In all my time wandering around Camden, I experienced both ends of the spectrum, but at no time did I feel unsafe, or consider taking off my Omega etc.

The cost of living in London is a very real and valid concern, I imagine she will have no option but shared housing, be it with friends, or privately, in which case there is the very real issue of dodgy landlords or just landlords who don't give a damn because there will always be a tenant waiting. The violence though, my experience is that while it is more of an issue than say, Bristol, it really is something that's been blown out of proportion by the press.

**joe narvey** · 19th February 2020, 20:19

Originally Posted by trident-7

My daughter has been fortunate enough to have been offered a place at the Royal Veterinary College to study to become a vet. It's a very good and prestigious Vet school and she likes it a lot. She is, however, considering not accepting the offer because it's based in central London. Namely Camden, midway between Kings Cross & Regent's Park from what I can see on a map. The reason being because she's a bit worried about crime/violence and the cost of living there.

I haven't set foot in London for over 25 years. Can anybody advise me what it's like to live there from a practical point of view?

She's also got offers from Bristol, Edinburgh & Nottingham Universities so she's a bit spoilt for choice.

The area has a thriving hipster scene with good evening and weekend life. Lots of students and young people live in and around this area. There has been considerable investment for safe student accommodation between Camden and kings cross.

Camden is on the northern line so easily commutable to areas away from Camden. It does have a historical connection with drugs and crime.

If she can’t get in halls suggest you consider places that can be easy commutes such as areas of Islington, Highbury, etc.

Cost is steep but there are plenty of other students and she may be able to flat share. NUS at kings or imperial may be able to help.

**MrSmith** · 19th February 2020, 20:24

It’s not much different from the other areas you mention. I don’t like it because it’s full of students and skinny blokes who are spending 20 years trying to get into the music biz but for a young person it’s probably great.
I would imagine living would be done outside the area (after a year in student accommodation?) probably further up the northern/Victoria line.
Pick on the course/university in my opinion (I have lived in London since 93 and work all over the city so know it fairly well)

**JP28** · 19th February 2020, 20:24

My brother went to RVC (I was LSE) and I have an apartment in the SE side of the park. In summary Camden is absolutely fine to live. Loads going on (though she will be studying so much she will not see that much !) but as per the rest of London it is not cheap. As I am sure you are aware they have a site out in Herts as well so not all the years are in London.
It’s a great school and I think from the others my brother told me Edinburgh was also good and I think it was his option also. Likely to be cheaper in Edinburgh though travel costs will be more and although a great experience not the same as London.
Great choice to have !

**jools** · 19th February 2020, 20:29

Great achievement to get all those offers.

**anton863** · 19th February 2020, 20:33

My office is in central Camden also, albeit the other side.

It's no worse than anywhere else in London (and better than lots). If she wants to enjoy her student life alongside the studies then she'll have a great time. There are loads of students around and flat shares are the norm for students and workers so she'll fit in fine that way. It will be about £800/month as a start though and can go up from there depending on taste/budget! I stayed in central Camden, right around that area until recently so have plenty of experience!

If she prefers a quieter time then she can basically avoid all the business of central London and stay a bit further north. I'm in Highgate now myself which is as nice as it comes anywhere and tube down to Camden in a few minutes. She's just a few minutes walk from Mornington Crescent station which is in a much quieter side of Camden, especially during the day when she'll be there.

Any specific questions about the area feel free to give me a message.

**gcleminson** · 19th February 2020, 20:35

I wonder what the Good Mixer's like these days? Only pub I've ever been barred from.

**boring_sandwich** · 19th February 2020, 20:35

I do not like Camden as I find it far to busy with the music scene, tourists and drunks. I live in Angel which although busy is more of a mature crowd with an art scene and mainly restaurants so feels more laid back.

Expect to pay in rent around £2000 pcm for a 1 bed apartment or £800 pcm in a flat share.

**number2** · 19th February 2020, 20:49

Camden is a place I enjoy visiting, but if I had the same choice I'd choose Edinburgh,

**BillyCasper** · 19th February 2020, 21:01

Close to Kings Cross, an area of massive redevelopment, tech hub, no distance from university district, Regent’s Park, central London, entertainment. I went to university in London and stayed, I work by King’s Cross. No complaints. It’s what suits your life style and interests. Great cosmopolitan city, some take to it, some don’t. It’s a personal, almost emotional decision.

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**reecie** · 19th February 2020, 21:10

It's not really the touristy bit of Camden anyway. Closer to St Pancras basin and it is very smart around there now. Given the RVS is supposed to be the third best vet school in the world that must count for something. No doubt you spend part of the time at the Herts Campus near Potters Bar so I imagine somewhere on the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line is where a lot of students end up living. You get money off tube fares as a student at a London uni so can probably stay somewhere "fair cheap" for London that is.

**Andyg** · 19th February 2020, 22:16

Originally Posted by number2

Camden is a place I enjoy visiting, but if I had the same choice I'd choose Edinburgh,

As a Londoner, I would have to agree. Camden Lock market used to be a blast if visiting, but I would not want to live there.

**Sinnlover** · 19th February 2020, 22:26

As another Londoner I would say it has to be one if the best places in the world to be a young person who is studying.
Great college to study at
Great night life
One of the best cities in the world at your doorstep.
London is safe.
Heaven for someone in their 20s (IMHO)
The cost of living as a student will be high (it is as an adult) but the uni should help point them in the right direction with regard digs etc.
Suck it up for 4 years, have a blast and then move out if that’s what they want.

**Onelasttime** · 19th February 2020, 22:33

It's a mixed bag but it definitely isn't the cheapest, or cleanest, area of London. Estate agents would call it 'lively'. I used to like it but I'm old now and it annoys the pi55 put of me, but for a young 'un it could still be a hedonist heaven.

Why does she have to live in Camden? London's a big place with plenty of public transport and slightly cheaper areas.

**gavsw20** · 20th February 2020, 07:52

Camden is a vibrant place that’s full of character, but it’s full full of tourists at the weekends and the town is never your own. During the summer you’d struggle to walk down the main high street it’s that busy.

Nightlife is excellent but not sure if want to live there. Had friends who have gone there to live and work (teaching) and all moved out within 9months as there was just to much temptation to go out socialising pretty much every night of the week.

**gavsw20** · 20th February 2020, 07:54

Originally Posted by gcleminson

I wonder what the Good Mixer's like these days? Only pub I've ever been barred from.

It had shut down last year but looks to be re-opened now.

**eagletower** · 20th February 2020, 09:45

Camden is great , as a student i would love to live there.

If you're worried she could move to leafy High Barnet , northern line and 20 mins to camden plus it's closer to the second year Campus in South Mimms.

**noTAGlove** · 20th February 2020, 10:06

The major crime you’re daughter will be worried about is the cost of living in London.

She should go somewhere cheaper.

**Saint-Just** · 20th February 2020, 10:55

The (many) vets I know are no shrinking violets. While a significant part end up caring for the little one's hamsters, canaris and gerbils, they are all trained to care for cattle and sheep, too, and that is sometimes significantly more risky for life and limbs than Camden streets.
I am sure that your daughter will be tough as well; plus, she will do what all the other students of the RVC do, and go and live where the RVC bureau suggests; as she's unlikely to be by herself in a flat locally (unless you can afford it, and I am not sure that it's a good idea even if you can), she'll always have other students around her.

Having said that, she should decide based on what she wants: Bristol or Edinburgh also have great credentials, both in terms of vet school and place to live. When she comes out, she'll have to start taking on responsibilities for that thing we call "life", on top of her professional ones. So despite not being the easiest, those few years will probably be the most fondly remembered and she needs to embrace them. And if London is approached reluctantly she must choose elsewhere, regardless of the reputation of RVC: her diploma will be worth the same a few years down the line.

**trident-7** · 20th February 2020, 11:36

Wow, some great advice here...thanks chaps! I certainly feel happier myself if she chooses this option. Also it's just in Camden for the first two years. Then the students move out to Hawkshead Campus which is north of the M25

**trident-7** · 20th February 2020, 11:41

Originally Posted by Saint-Just

The (many) vets I know are no shrinking violets. While a significant part end up caring for the little one's hamsters, canaris and gerbils, they are all trained to care for cattle and sheep, too, and that is sometimes significantly more risky for life and limbs than Camden streets.
I am sure that your daughter will be tough as well; plus, she will do what all the other students of the RVC do, and go and live where the RVC bureau suggests; as she's unlikely to be by herself in a flat locally (unless you can afford it, and I am not sure that it's a good idea even if you can), she'll always have other students around her.

Having said that, she should decide based on what she wants: Bristol or Edinburgh also have great credentials, both in terms of vet school and place to live. When she comes out, she'll have to start taking on responsibilities for that thing we call "life", on top of her professional ones. So despite not being the easiest, those few years will probably be the most fondly remembered and she needs to embrace them. And if London is approached reluctantly she must choose elsewhere, regardless of the reputation of RVC: her diploma will be worth the same a few years down the line.

I think your post pretty much sums it up SJ. At the end of the day she'll make her own decision...she always has. What do her parents know? She is pretty tough, & strong. I just hope these places provide servants...that's what she's used to! :-/

**Saint-Just** · 20th February 2020, 11:57

Exactly! Well done her! But she'll soon need to remove her jumper and go both arms in if she needs to move the calf around :D

**Franco** · 20th February 2020, 12:01

Originally Posted by trident-7

My daughter has been fortunate enough to have been offered a place at the Royal Veterinary College to study to become a vet. It's a very good and prestigious Vet school and she likes it a lot. She is, however, considering not accepting the offer because it's based in central London. Namely Camden, midway between Kings Cross & Regent's Park from what I can see on a map. The reason being because she's a bit worried about crime/violence and the cost of living there.

I haven't set foot in London for over 25 years. Can anybody advise me what it's like to live there from a practical point of view?

She's also got offers from Bristol, Edinburgh & Nottingham Universities so she's a bit spoilt for choice.

Edinburgh has an excellent Vet School (The William Dick School), ranked top of the country at the last REF. When I was at Edinburgh University (in the 80s) the Royal Dick was just off the Meadows, now has moved south of Edinburgh, in the Outstation where many years ago the Dolly sheep was cloned. It is a stunning facility, with obviously cheap accommodation but still 20mins from cenral Edinburgh. So academically but also as quality of life it would be an excellent choice IMHO (and yes, I am bias, am an Edinburgh postgraduate)

BWs
franco

**oliverte** · 20th February 2020, 13:40

I've been living in London since university, many of my friends went to London universities.

I too would choose Edinburgh over London, I tagged onto the university scene as I moved to London and it consisted of schlepping all over London to various cheap house shares, house parties (because going out was so expensive) and more of an evolved drug culture than I had witnessed at my uni

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**adrianwong** · 20th February 2020, 13:44

As above, London is extremely expensive compared to most cities in the UK.

Having said that, there are some great spots to live within easy reach of Camden (Hampstead, Highgate, Stoke Newington).

**Onelasttime** · 20th February 2020, 14:05

Originally Posted by adrianwong

As above, London is extremely expensive compared to most cities in the UK.

Having said that, there are some great spots to live within easy reach of Camden (Hampstead, Highgate, Stoke Newington).

Ah yes, the slum areas of Hampstead, Highgate and Stokey

**PreacherCain** · 20th February 2020, 16:14

Originally Posted by Onelasttime

Ah yes, the slum areas of Hampstead, Highgate and Stokey

Well, it's all north of the River, so fairly nasty by definition...

OP, I'm afraid I have nothing constructive to offer that hasn't been offered by others - but kudos to your daughter for the achievement of so many offers from so many top-flight colleges. Great stuff!

**RobDad** · 20th February 2020, 20:17

I moved the family out of London nearly 5 years ago as I had grown to despise it for many reasons - however, whilst my son decided to take a course in Norwich - which is reasonably close to us - a lot of his friends, having grown up in the country, chose London universities, and only 6 months into their first year more than 50% have transferred to other universities outside of London as they hadn’t appreciated the cost of living etc. Once my son turned 18 I was happy for him to make his own decisions and if he’d chosen somewhere in London that would have been fine by me - I know London has lots to offer but imho you need rather a lot of money to appreciate it, and if you remove the rose tinted glasses a lot of Londoners wear, it’s become quite a grubby and dangerous place - which I’ve grown to appreciate more since I left!

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**Essexstu** · 20th February 2020, 20:32

Having spent a lot of time around London for work and social life I just can’t see the attraction. Edinburgh on the other hand is a great smallish(geographically) city with a great nightlife for all ages, excellent schools/ universities and fantastic transport links.

**Carlton-Browne** · 20th February 2020, 21:51

Originally Posted by trident-7

Excellent. A Herriot selfie. I suspect she’ll take London in her stride.

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