Somewhat overlooked compared to neighbours like Hampstead and Golders Green, Childs Hill is a lovely suburban family area. With good transport links, good schools, and excellent access to green space, it is easy to see what draws families to live here. Much like Golders Green, Childs Hill has a substantial Jewish community, and is otherwise a fairly diverse place with its own array of small businesses. Though by no means an inexpensive place to live, Childs Hill represents a more affordable alternative to its very affluent neighbours, and is experiencing a lot of growth and development.
Though the area lacks the cache of its more famous neighbours, it is a solid family area with good facilities, including local shops and a historic pub, and community organisations like a bowling club. There is a very substantial Jewish community in this area. Childs Hill also has an active Residents' Association.
The 2014/2015 crime and violence against the person rates were similar to the rates for London overall. According to the Met police website, the crime rate in this ward and the borough as a whole is average. There is a crime hospot surrounding the Brent Cross shopping centre.
Parking is relatively easy in this area. Fewer people own a car in this area than in the borough overall, but the car ownership rate is the same as London overall. Road connections, including to the North Circular, are good, though traffic can be an issue.
Childs Hill is more of a local pub place than a bar and nightclub destination. The area is well connected by bus to places with more late-night activity.
About 1 in 5 residents is a child aged 0-14, suggesting that this is a family area. There is abundant green space nearby, including Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park as well as other small parks and playing fields. Schools are good, and include fee-paying secondary schools that cater to Jewish and Jewish special educational needs students.
Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park, as well as other small parks and playing fields, offer Childs Hill residents and their dogs excellent access to green space.
Golders Green (Zone 3) and Hampstead (Zone 2/3) are on the Northern Line, and Hampstead Heath is relatively near for the Overground. Cricklewood is served by Thameslink. The area is well served by local buses.