brixton

[bubblegum]

Hi, was informed by Black Arab, that Blagsta could give me some advice on life in Brixton (thinking of moving there), if you're out there can u help?

[Blagsta]

This is a good guide
http://www.urban75.org/brixton/

What do you want to know?

[bubblegum]

Just a general view of Brixton. I have had mixed reviews from my friends, some people love it, say it is as safe as anywhere in London, has a wicked night life, friendly atmosphere, and is generally buzzing. On the other hand, i know some people who fear for there life every time they enter it.

I have been before, and always have a good time, but going there now and again to rave, and living there is completely different.

So in general do you feel safe, how long have you lived there, and would you recommend it.

thanks for the link, it's v.helpful

[bubblegum]

I'm leaving work now, but i'll log on tommorow, any advice from anyone out there will be v.helpful. Also are there any yoga and buddhism centres in brixton, looked on the internet and i couldn't find any.

xxx

[Blagsta]

I've lived here just under a year, but have been visiting here longer. Personally I love it. Very vibrant, exciting and a good community vibe. Its not a place for people who like a quiet life or who are a bit timid.
I have had no problems at all living here. Yes, you do get beggars asking for money and dealers trying to sell you crap drugs, but you learn to live with it.

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=7

Is a good Brixton based forum.

[Aladdin]

I've been living in the area for three years, and it's great.

There is a fair amount of loonies, pissheads, god-botherers, preachers and blokes trying to send you (fake) cannabis around the tube and by the Ritzy, but they're all pretty harmless and a simple 'no' will suffice.

Of course people who visit Brixton for the first time and who have been exposed to Daily Mail's hysterics and misinformation are not exactly encouraged by the buzzing of characters as they emerge out of the Tube into Brixton for the first time... But I've never been mugged, robbed, assaulted or even attempted to in the three years I've been there. Like I said a few weeks back, safer than Leicester Square.

Some people will never like it- the 'Claphamites' who are used to 'posh' neighbourhoods full of Estate Agents selling homes at far too high prices and Starbucks coffee shops on every other street. But if you like diversity, a colourful atmosphere and a wicked nightlife Brixton is second to none.

[Dear Wendy]

Ha ha, my friends were at a concert at the academy there. Another guy who we used to go to school with came along. While the girls were backstage after the concert, he was freaking and was about to call the police thinking they'd been kidnapped.

[BlackArab]

'the girls were backstage'

well come on, dish the scandal..........;)

[Dear Wendy]

Originally posted by BlackArab
'the girls were backstage'

well come on, dish the scandal..........;)

He he, you've caught the on-going theme and common factor between me and my friends :D

Either way, to my knowledge nothing happened. No blow-jobs, just the imitation of an English accent and sticking fingers through those stretched ear piercings of the guitarist :eek2:

[BlackArab]

sticking fingers thru ear piercings, :yuck:

tell them to see nice bands like Westlife, such well brought up chaps!!!

[BeckyBoo]

Originally posted by Blagsta
Its not a place for people who like a quiet life or who are a bit timid.


I best not move there eh :D

Ive just looked at some of the photos on that sight and seen the night view, somehow its not what I imagined.

[Blagsta]

In what way? Better? Worse? Or just different?

[Dear Wendy]

Originally posted by BlackArab
sticking fingers thru ear piercings, :yuck:

tell them to see nice bands like Westlife, such well brought up chaps!!!

Urgh, they have a tendency to like nu-metal :yuck:

[BeckyBoo]

Originally posted by Blagsta
In what way? Better? Worse? Or just different?

It looks better to be honest. For some reason I imagined it to be a not so nice area, but some of them photos actually look very nice.
I suppose its the same everywhere you have your ok areas and your dumps.

[BeckyBoo]

Ive just looked at the photo of the homless and its during the day, do they just sleep like that on bread basket things during the day ?
Does it scare you at all ? Do they ever speak ?

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by BeckyBoo
It looks better to be honest. For some reason I imagined it to be a not so nice area, but some of them photos actually look very nice.
I suppose its the same everywhere you have your ok areas and your dumps.

Mike is a good photographer. :D

Brixton has had a lot of regeneration money chucked at it over the past few years, its a lot nicer than it was 10 years ago.
But its like any area, it has its nicer places and its not so nice places. But its nowhere near as bad as the tabloid press like to make out.

[BeckyBoo]

You do get snow in Brixton :eek2:

why did I think that you didnt get loads of snow like us :lol:
Talking of snow you want to see it here, its horrendous, massive flakes of snow earlier on, roads totally unpassable.

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by BeckyBoo
Ive just looked at the photo of the homless and its during the day, do they just sleep like that on bread basket things during the day ?

Some do.

Originally posted by BeckyBoo
Does it scare you at all ? Do they ever speak ?

Scare me? No. They're only human beings, not some kind of monster. Do they ever speak? Yes. Sometimes to beg money, sometimes to rant in a mad way (a lot of homeless people have mental health issues), but some of them are genuine nice people if you get talking to them.

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by BeckyBoo
You do get snow in Brixton :eek2:

why did I think that you didnt get loads of snow like us :lol:
Talking of snow you want to see it here, its horrendous, massive flakes of snow earlier on, roads totally unpassable.

snow is rubbish

[BeckyBoo]

I just looked at the photo called 'worst job', where is that garage ? and what lies beyond it, is it really that bad ?

[Blagsta]

Can you post a link?

[BeckyBoo]

Originally posted by Blagsta
Can you post a link?

err i will try :D here (http://www.urban75.org/brixton/photos/115.html)

hope it works. Its on page 4, the one to the right of the white wooden door (if the link dont work) :D

[Blagsta]

Found it. That garage is in front of the Barrier Block iirc. A favourite haunt of junkies and crackheads.

[BeckyBoo]

Originally posted by Blagsta
Found it. That garage is in front of the Barrier Block iirc. A favourite haunt of junkies and crackheads.

A bad place ? would you venture there alone after midnight and thats either alone or with mates ?

[Blagsta]

I'd visit that garage if I had to late at night, but I'd certainly watch my back.

[BeckyBoo]

Originally posted by Blagsta
I'd visit that garage if I had to late at night, but I'd certainly watch my back.

Id be that shit scared I wouldnt dare go during the day lol. theres areas here I wouldnt venture on a night, im not having a go about Brixton im just interested :)

[Blagsta]

Brixton is fine as long as you are sensible and have a bit of "street smarts".

[BeckyBoo]

That link you gave has some good things on it, I have just been looking at some of the stuff on it and found the following hillarious here (http://www.urban75.com/Action/tubeparty.html)

sounds like they had fun :D

[BlackArab]

Brixton ten years or more ago, used to go down quite regularly for gigs at the Academy, to be honest was only ever worried about the reputation of the police.

Even in those days you had more chance of a random kicking in your average city/town centre pub than Brixton IMO.

Hey Becks, can't be worse than Darlo!

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by BeckyBoo
That link you gave has some good things on it, I have just been looking at some of the stuff on it and found the following hillarious here (http://www.urban75.com/Action/tubeparty.html)

sounds like they had fun :D

I never made it to that, but it was great by all accounts.

The Reclaim the Beach parties (on a tidal beach on the south bank of the Thames) were great fun too.
http://www.urban75.org/london/reclaim.html

[BeckyBoo]

Originally posted by BlackArab
Hey Becks, can't be worse than Darlo!

Your probably right as there are some bad parts here, having said that i live in a nice area so im ok :D
I hate Darlo town centre on a night, in certain areas its the pitz.

[BeckyBoo]

They are blooming bonkers aint they :lol: