Friday, February 1, 2013

Living in Kilburn

By Monica Livingston


As you walk up along Kilburn High Road, assailed by the waves of traffic and coffee aroma, there is an unmistakeable air of briskness that is typical of north-west London. Sandwiched between West Hampstead to the east and Queen's Park, Kensal Rise, and Brondesbury opposite, the town is well served by public transport in the metropolis. Trains, the tube, and buses take you along the many routes, traversing the town from Maida Vale up through Cricklewood.

Housing

Council housing takes the pride of place in this town, with quiet private accommodation surrounding the enormous development. As with its neighbours, Kilburn offers a variety of detached and terraced housing for rent; bedsits and rooms are available from lb70 a week. Flats start at lb175: budget-conscious tenants should knock on those above the high street shops and cafes.

The People

Gone are the days when you are bound to rub shoulders with an Irishman on the High Road: the few Irish pubs have now made way for yet another group of newcomers. Eastern European and Afro-Caribbean communities have found their ways into an easy co-existence with locals, and Muslims in the southern side of the town mingle with the rich and poor alike.

A Pint For Every Taste

No guides necessary here: Brondesage, The Black Lion, and The North London Tavern are amongst the residents' favourite pubs. Whereas Brondesage has embraced the modern trend of roomy designs in contrast to that 70's frosted-glass feel, The Black Lion is a different beast altogether. The Grade 2 listed ceiling encompasses an eclectic mix of fireplaces, mirrors, and assorted furnishings with a rich ornament of gold and burgundy, beyond which lies hotel-like boarding and a dining room that rivals the poshest of restaurants.

Cinema

The local culture hub is The Tricycle, which is an art gallery, a theatre, and a cinema rolled into one. Tuesdays are pay-what-you-can nights starting from lb1.50 for the budget-conscious. The Luminaire has a regular assortment of live bands in their nightclub, and the bingo hall, Mecca's, is simply huge.

Park

In average-sized Grange Park, lawns surrounding its tennis courts, children's play area, and a netball court turn into a fairground for Kilburn Festival every July. Pop in one of the stalls to the sound of Irish, reggae, and jazz music - often all at once.

Grabbing A Bite Of Everything

Kilburn has a big selection of restaurants and kebab joints for every client`ele. Pubs generally serve good food, and African, European, and Asian cuisines are on offer at restaurants.

Crossing The High Road Into The City

While there aren't too many reasons to set foot out of Kilburn, the tube offers frequent service for those who digress from Kilburn and Kilburn Park stations. The Overground runs four trains an hour through Brondesbury and Kilburn High Road, and you can reach Richmond upon Thames in just 20 minutes. Buses 6, 316, 28, 31, 98, 32, or 189 will all take you to central London, but mind the rush hour.




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