Soho family friendly?
Apr 27th, 2004, 07:50 AM
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Soho family friendly?
I am planning our first trip to London. I am considering renting an apartment in Soho near Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square tube stations. The rate is very reasonable. Is the area suitable/safe for a family with 2 kids?
Apr 27th, 2004, 07:59 AM
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It's up to you but I bet it will be quite noisy. It is a very Gay/party area so it may be too upbeat for a family. We used to go there after some of the earlier pubs closed as it was open later and friends lived nearby.
Apr 27th, 2004, 08:12 AM
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Hmm... Soho ISN'T a dangerous area and it's SO central that you'll find yourself able to walk pretty much anywhere. What you will find though, is that it is VERY VERY busy, noisy and quite dirty (as a result of the sheer number of people around rather than lack of cleaning). I work in Soho and have never encountered any problems.
How old are your children? Are they young enough to walk past sex shops and peep shows without understanding what they are? Or are they old enough, and enlightened enough by you, not to be bothered about it? It's a very personal thing. What I will say though is that you will invariably visit this area anyway during your stay - so if you take the above into account, it's no different to staying here.
You will find that Soho is NOT what it once was. Yes the seedier side is still here - that simply adds to the flavour and atmosphere - but it is also the social heart of London; bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theatres etc etc, though it can be a tad touristy.
Weighing it up, so long as you aren't looking for green spaces and parks on your doorstop (you'll have to walk about 10-15 minutes to a park - St James's, for instance) - and you don't mind your children seeing a grittier side of life - then I think that the location would make it worthwhile.. There are 'nicer' parts and more conventionally family friendly parts though.
I love it here though!
How old are your children? Are they young enough to walk past sex shops and peep shows without understanding what they are? Or are they old enough, and enlightened enough by you, not to be bothered about it? It's a very personal thing. What I will say though is that you will invariably visit this area anyway during your stay - so if you take the above into account, it's no different to staying here.
You will find that Soho is NOT what it once was. Yes the seedier side is still here - that simply adds to the flavour and atmosphere - but it is also the social heart of London; bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, theatres etc etc, though it can be a tad touristy.
Weighing it up, so long as you aren't looking for green spaces and parks on your doorstop (you'll have to walk about 10-15 minutes to a park - St James's, for instance) - and you don't mind your children seeing a grittier side of life - then I think that the location would make it worthwhile.. There are 'nicer' parts and more conventionally family friendly parts though.
I love it here though!
Apr 27th, 2004, 08:44 AM
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Thanks for the posts..it does not appear to be a wholesome place. I have a 15 year old daughter and 9 year old boy. The 15 year will not be too bothered by it. I don't know about my son though - he will probably notice it..he is pretty observant.
But my main concern was safety. So based on the location and price, I might still go for it if it is a safe area.
But my main concern was safety. So based on the location and price, I might still go for it if it is a safe area.
Apr 27th, 2004, 09:00 AM
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Hi -
I'd go for it, it's a bustling & fun area. You will consider the neighborhood to be home after just a day or 2!
BTW my first trip abroad was to Denmark when I was just 8 . . . and believe me, every theater and newsstand had bosoms galore staring out at me! I asked my Mom what was up with all the boobies, and she just said that things are different in Europe - and half the population happened to have such things (usually under their clothes)! Made an impression on me, for sure!!
The Brits are much more prudish about the boobie factor - believe me, you'll be fine on Soho's outskirts. Have fun planning your trip, too.
HTH
I'd go for it, it's a bustling & fun area. You will consider the neighborhood to be home after just a day or 2!
BTW my first trip abroad was to Denmark when I was just 8 . . . and believe me, every theater and newsstand had bosoms galore staring out at me! I asked my Mom what was up with all the boobies, and she just said that things are different in Europe - and half the population happened to have such things (usually under their clothes)! Made an impression on me, for sure!!
The Brits are much more prudish about the boobie factor - believe me, you'll be fine on Soho's outskirts. Have fun planning your trip, too.
HTH
Apr 27th, 2004, 09:40 AM
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jand,
Soho proper (or "improper" as the case may be) would not be my first choice for family accomodations due to a general reputation for noise, bar crowds, and a number of seedier enterprises.
In general, when walking through Soho, visiting parents tend to tighten their grips on children's hands and wonder how they are going to explain certain sights to the kids, if asked.
But it really depends exactly where in the Soho area the apartment is located.
You might want to post the details here for futher comment and/or try the Tripadvisor.com website to see if anyone has rated the specific apartments you are considering.
David White
[email protected]
Soho proper (or "improper" as the case may be) would not be my first choice for family accomodations due to a general reputation for noise, bar crowds, and a number of seedier enterprises.
In general, when walking through Soho, visiting parents tend to tighten their grips on children's hands and wonder how they are going to explain certain sights to the kids, if asked.
But it really depends exactly where in the Soho area the apartment is located.
You might want to post the details here for futher comment and/or try the Tripadvisor.com website to see if anyone has rated the specific apartments you are considering.
David White
[email protected]
Apr 27th, 2004, 11:05 AM
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The finest stockist of spirits and liqueurs is in Old Compton St, Soho, W1. It's called "Gerry's" - they have absolutely any spirit/liqueur no matter how obscure it may be. Prices are very reasonable too. Please note they only take cash or cheque - nothing worrying as they have been established since the sixties.
Apr 28th, 2004, 03:44 AM
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There's a street market there and this seems to be the street for shops specialising in vintage and specialist discs - also, if I recall correctly, a few fancy textile shops. Depending which end of Brewer St you are, it's tending to shade into the posher part of Soho where a lot of media/advertising companies have their offices.
Jun 16th, 2004, 02:12 PM
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One of the things about London is that turn a different corner you are in a different World! Soho Brewer St turn one way you are in Oxford St - turn another way you are in Compton St - Personally that makes the city great for me! in terms of the Sex Shops and Gay area - if you want to avoid them! avoid compton st (and thereby avoid the best coffee and cakes at Amartos!) and the bottom end of Berwick St (nowt much to miss here!) Whatever you do HAVE FUN!!!
