Stamford Hill is a prime North London suburb that is known for its large ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. The area has large, spacious Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and it is bordered by vast parks including Springfield and Clissold Parks. The area's Orthodox community has shaped the area in a lot of ways, from having more synagogues in one square mile than in London combined, numerous Kosher eateries, and several excellent schools - including Jewish schools.
This area is internationally known for its large, tightly knit, and influential Orthodox Jewish community - much of the area has been organised by and for this community, from the area's neighbourhood watch, to the Kosher restaurants, to the Jewish schools. It is the largest community of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Europe.
Stamford Hill is very safe, and the community takes an active interest in this. Crime within the community is rare, and nonviolent crime virtually nonexistent. In addition to the Metropolitan police, the community is safeguarded by the Shomrim - a neighbourhood watch-type group whose name is the Hebrew word for "guardians." The Shomrim take emergency calls and conduct investigations, which they do for all residents regardless of religion, but turn over suspects to the police. The organisation was founded to mirror American counterparts in response to a rise in petty crime.
Parking in this area is neither exceptionally difficult nor very expensive. The rate of car ownership in the area is lower than for London overall.
This is decidedly not a nightlife hotspot. See nearby Stoke Newington for pubs and bars, or go further afield.
Stamford Hill is very much a family area. Schools, including independent and/or Jewish schools for the ultra-Orthodox community in this area, are excellent. Though within the area itself there aren't many large parks, it is surrounded by several, including Clissold Park. The homes in this area are predominately spacious family Victorian or Edwardian homes, which are in high demand from the area's large families.
Large family homes and good access to green space - although the larger parks are surrounding the neighbourhood rather than inside it - make this a very good place to own a dog.
Stamford Hill station (Zone 3) is served by rail and Overground trains reach Liverpool Street in a little under 20 minutes. Stoke Newington station (Zone ) is also nearby. The area is well served by local buses.