Finchley has been an artistic and intellectual hub for centuries. It was the home of Charles Darwin, and it was also the place Harry Beck designed the original version of the Tube map. Today, Finchley continues to be popular with artists and intellectuals, but a wider range of residents now benefit from the beautiful and varied period homes, excellent transport links, and amenities of the area.
There remains a strong community of artists in the area. There is also a notable Jewish community in Finchley, with several synagogues and a cultural centre as well as Kosher eateries in the area. Families who want to be part of a strong community flock to Finchley.
Finchley is calm and quiet, and a safe place to live. The crime rate is much lower than London as a whole.
Some parts of Finchley are difficult to park in, but residents should not have too much of a problem. More residents have a car here than in London as a whole. Road connections are excellent for those who commute by car.
Finchley is not a nightlife destination, though there are numerous restaurants and great local pubs, and notable entertainment venues like the Phoenix Cinema. However, its good transport connections open up a lot of options for residents who are looking for some late night entertainment.
Finchley is full of families, and it's no surprise - there is abundant green space, as well as facilities for recreation and leisure. There is also an enormous amount of choice of good schools, including St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, which ranked in the top 20 state schools in 2014. There is a wide range of property available, including larger family homes.
Some of Finchley, particularly East Finchley, has an urban feel, but there are numerous, lovely green spaces int he surrounding area. There is also a wide range of property available, increasing the chances of finding a dog-friendly home.
Finchley is very well connected, and is served by the High Barnet branch of the Northern Line. East Finchley is in Zone 3, and Finchley Central, West Finchley, and Woodside Park are in Zone 4. There are numerous North London bus links, as well as buses into the West End, including 2 night buses. The area is well connected by road to the North Circular and the M1.