Between the City and the West End lies Holborn, a largely commercial area favoured by lawyers and media types. Although near the buzzy and noisy West End's cultural and entertainment attractions, Holburn is typically quiet in the evenings and at the weekends because of its commerical character. Similarly, Holburn offers an entirely different atmosphere from the City. But offering access to both the City and the West End without their respective downsides is not all Holborn is known for historic, avant garde, and unique bars, restaurants, and shops in addition to the world-famous British Museum.
Holborn is a diverse area, with a number of different communities. But with so many visitors and commuters, it can be hard to get a sense of the somwehat small local residents' community. One might find anyone from groups of students who attend the nearby universities, City workers, or medical and legal professionals who work nearby socialising in one of Holborn's coffee shops and bars.
Important to note is that data for Holborn crime rates come from the profile of Holborn and Covent Garden wards. Like much of Central London with much visitor and late night traffic, Covent Garden is generally safe, but there are some concerns about various types of anti-social behaviour and theft. About 12% of that area's crime was violent, and most of the rest falls into those categories. Annual crime has gone down over the last few years.
Parking in Holborn ranges from difficult and expensive to very difficult and expensive. Few people own cars, compared to the London average. This area is within the congestion charge zone.
Though itself a commercial/residential hybrid area that is generally quiet at the weekends and late in the evenings, after the wine bars and upscale restaurants have shut, residents of Bloomsbury can walk to the open-late bars and clubs of the West End.
There are not that many families living in this general area, and not very many primary and secondary schools - although the ones that are there generally perform well, and there are many renowned universities nearby. Housing consists mainly of flats, rather than family homes, and prices are very high.
With several garden squares in the area, but not a lot of access to vast open space and mainly flat accommodation, Holborn is an okay place to own a dog.
Holborn is central - Zone 1 - and very well-connected. Covent Garden and Russell Square Tube stations are on the Piccadilly Line, while Holborn is on the Central and Northern Lines and Tottenham Court Road is on the Piccadilly and Central Lines. Leicester Square is on the Piccadilly and Northern Lines, Chancery Lane is on the Central Line, Charing Cross offers access to the Bakerloo and Northern Lines, and Temple is on the District and Circle Lines. There are also rail services from nearby Euston and Charing Cross, and there are countless all-hours buses serving the area. There Santander cycle docks around, and many of those who live here are blessed with being able to walk to work. Heathrow Airport can be reached via the Piccadilly Line.