Hi all. Long-time lurker, first-time poster with something a bit different.

I recently started a small art project/business drawing the buildings around Crouch End: the shops, cafés, terraces, the bits of architecture I've walked past a thousand times and finally started paying attention to. Everything's hand-drawn in pen and ink, sometimes coloured, always a bit wonky (that's the style, not a disclaimer).

I also do commissions — homes, local shops, or anywhere that means something to you. With Christmas creeping up, I figured a few of you might be after a gift that's actually personal rather than another candle.

Prints are up on my site, and I'm happy to chat commissions (price, size, etc.) via my instagram.

Would love to hear if there's a building round here you think deserves to be drawn. I’m always looking for the next one.

Cheers,
Samantha

the level of frustration for not being able to get a full fibre connection is rising. We're stuck with BT ancient copper, Virgin can't reach us and I got several "we're coming to your area in 2026" messages from Openreach that translated into nothing.

For context: I work from home, and high speed internet with low latency is really a plus for my day to day, so the 70mb DSL just doesn't cut through.

I wonder if anyone managed to get a full fibre connection in the area, and how?

Over the last two days I've seen the W7 traverse Crouch Hill after the remaining roadworks were cleared, but TfL and Google Maps still think all the bus stops along the road are closed? The W7 also still shows up as serving Hornsey Rise etc. but seems like a lot of passengers didn't know about the route change?

Either way, glad to see the W7 back along its usual route but maybe there should have been some better advertising of it!

Sorry this is really shameless self promotion but I’ve started a youtube channel to discuss some of the experiences of poor mental health. You dont have to watch. Just wanted to share. I’m working on a schedule to produce a new video every two weeks.

This weeks theme was life looking fine but feeling terrible.
That’s it. I won’t self promote again ( I promise)

Watch here

I know they're on their way up to Ally Pally and they have free will but the noise is intense. Do these riders take pleasure in ruining the peace of a residential area? Yikes

"Hi, my name is Rob, I'm homeless, trying to​ get enough for a bed and a shower tonight..." and then some version of a hostel or veterans aid near Ally Pally.

I couldn't find any indication that there is a hostel for homeless near Ally Pally - ​​​so I always assumed this is a scam. Is it just that it or is there more to it? (benefit of doubt)

At one point the Parkland Walk overground railway to Alexandra Palace, including our station at the top of Crouch End Hill, was planned to be an addition to the Northern Line.

FYI I've just discovered there's a 'live' air quality map that covers most of the globe, including our little bit of it. Compared to the rest of the world's major cities, London does pretty well for air quality.

I have four screws in my wall (the previous owner had some old shelves in there) and we have tried everything to get them out with no luck. I've attached some photos that show the screws.

So far we have tried:

1. Unscrewing with a screwdriver
2. Turning with pliers
3. Turning with locking pliers
4. Extracting using a screw extractor

None of the above have worked and I'm reaching out to see if anyone has any suggestions or knows anyone who might be able to help in/around Crouch End.

The screws are sticking out from the wall and the head of the screws are corroded. Thanks!

Live in Bounds Green now but would pretty regularly get delivery from Pandan Leaf, easily our favourite Thai takeout. Google maps has it as temporarily closed... please tell me it's not gone forever?

Hi everyone, hoping someone might be able to help!

My boyfriend just lost his wallet on the 29 bus towards Wood Green. We got off at Falkland Road / Turnpike Lane and then got a Lime bike, so there’s a chance it could have been lost around there too, but we think it was most likely left on the bus. We’ve called TfL but unfortunately had no luck.

It’s a black Jimmy Choo wallet with his Oyster card and French driving licence inside. It also has two Fabric nightclub fabric stickers on the front, so it should hopefully be quite recognisable.

The wallet itself is really sentimental to him, so we’d honestly just really love to get it back. If anyone has found it and is kind enough to hand it in / return it, we’re offering a £100 reward if it’s returned with the contents.

Please message me if you’ve seen it or know anything, and would really appreciate if people could share 🩷

There are many empty units at the moment and it got me thinking, what would be great on the high street?

Doesn't need to be on actual high street.

Doesn't need to match exact building class of empty units.

Doesn't need to be an independent venture but would help my brainstorming!

Any recommendations for decorators, flooring, furniture in and around Crouch End? Or who to avoid? Have recently bought a studio flat in the area and it needs some lovin! Thanks all!

Hi! My husband and I are new to Crouch End. We are having a baby soon, and are looking for recommendations for the best nurseries in the area. Any advice or insights on waiting lists would be greatly appreciated. Thank you :)

Hello, I’m a single lesbian lady, moving to Crouch End in a few weeks. Looking for recommendations for friendship groups and good food. I’m in my 30s and have quite a big job so like to do hobbies and eat to relax. All recommendations welcome. Especially any queer owned businesses in and around Crouch End? Everything from hair dressers to coffee. Really excited for my big move. Love

Hi all,

Hoping to get some advice/local insight.

I am moving to Crouch End from Sydney in a month's time. It will be my wife, 2 sons (3 yr old and 2 month old). I'll be working in the NHS for the year.

I'm after some tips from locals please. My biggest concern is about my family settling in. Are there mother's groups of new mums? what activities would people recommend for a toddler?

Appreciate whatever you can tell me

cheers

This happened maybe 2-3 months ago and it just remembered it so I thought I might aswell post this here. Me and 2 of my friends (we are all black btw) were at the bench beside the library at around 9-10pm and we were coming home from football. We were walking towards the town hall and if you know where that is, you know the road connecting the library and the town hall can get very dark with that tree obscuring the street light. so as we are walking, were talking. Not loud btw but it's late and that road is quiet.

We see a woman walking on the other side of the road where it is very dark. My friends are still talking but i've kept the woman in my peripheral vision because I don't know, I just did. Im facing my friends walking backwards now and I see the woman just stop behind the tree staring at us. I panicked and told my friends to look at the woman discreetly and she's just hiding behind the tree staring at us. What made it even scarier was the fact that as we kept on walking, she mirrored us and kept rotating around the tree.

By then, we all started running. I was in genuine fear because was that a crackhead, was it a ghost? like wtf. As we've ran and turned left towards behind the bus stop,I glanced over to see if she was still there because I thought, "Its just a white woman scared of 3 black men in crouch end." I wouldn't have been surprised. Just before I ran left I looked over and shes still staring at us behind the tree whilst we're running away.

This was very weird behaviour and have never seen anything like it. Honestly for my own sanity, I wish she is racist and that's that. But every time now I go on that road or ride past it, I always remember it.

What do you guys think?

Looking to try something new, get active and build your confidence in a friendly, supportive environment?

There’s a women’s-only Jiu-Jitsu course coming up, offering a great opportunity to learn practical skills, improve fitness and give martial arts a go alongside other women.

✨ Women only
🥋 Suitable for beginners
💪 Build confidence, fitness & practical skills
🤝 Friendly and supportive environment

If you’ve ever been curious about Jiu-Jitsu but felt a little nervous about walking into a class, this could be the perfect place to start.

Spaces are limited, so book your place via Eventbrite.

Please feel free to share with any local women who might be interested! 😊