Is Soho a safe area?
 

After Scala House decided to no longer have short term rentals, we are now left to try and find alternative accommodation.

We have found one at Soho Square but have been told that Soho is a red light district, gentlemens clubs etc and not safe.

Is this just heresay, or should we look elsewhere for an apartment?

Many thanks

Soho Sq is fine. It is a short block from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Rd

(yeah - shame about Scala House :( )

Thanks Janis - there is just one of us in our group of 4 who was a little concerned, but that's ok we'll just beat it out of her.

The apartment is the right price and Chris (who worked for Scala House) has found this for us. He couldn't be more helpful if he tried - what a little gem he is.

I'm confident to stay there now thanks Janis.

Chris was going to look for another property where they could do short term lets - do you know if they've had any success??

Hi janis,
I'm not sure that I quite understand your question - if you mean did Chris get another property to manage my understanding is that he is still looking.

He came up with quite a number of properties for us to look at so I'm not sure how he is sourcing that at the moment, I just hope there's a cut in it for him somewhere as he has been extremely helpful.
Regards
Stormbird

In general Soho is safe enough - although you may end up with perforated eardrums from the Kylie records.

Ther are a lot of sex shops and the like ie strip clubs etc there - but you don't have to go in them.

There is no street prostitution in Soho anymore - and unless you are looking closely you won't notice the small amount that still goes on, it certainly won't affect you.

The only vaguely dodgy bit is outside Budgens supermarket at the bottom of Brewer St which is a drugs market - again it's safe, just a bit sordid. Soho Square is nice - although you will be close to the FA - so watch out for lecherous Swedes and tikka-tanned ex Spurs managers.

Oh yes, I've lived in London for ten years and worked in the Soho area. There is a very small part of Soho that you'd call 'red light district', the rest is now full of advertising agencies, media companies, great bars and restaurants. You'll know when you step into the wrong part and it's not easy to do, it basically forms a narrow street or two. I've never once felt threatened in this area.

Many thanks for all the replies. I'm sure we are going to have a great time on Soho - sounds very interesting to say the least and we all sure know how to look out for ourselves.

I think we'll have a ball!!!

Your friend's information is out of date. A lot of the dodgier sex-related businesses were driven out by new licensing laws a good ten years or more ago. The sudden release of cheap short-term leases led to an influx of bars and clubs for a different sort of gentlemen, which means the surrounding streets are safe for women, both respectable and otherwise..

In any case, all that is a few streets south of Soho Square, the only drawbacks to which have already been highlighted. You can see a panoramic view of Soho Square on a sunny lunchtime at:

http://tinyurl.com/2hh3o3

Hey Patrick,
Thanks for the pic - as we are going to be there in November, I fear, we may not end up seeing it quite like that!!

But it looks great just the same.