Hi there-newbie here. Have been looking at a VRBO flat in Kings Cross area, namely Handel Street. the link: VRBO flat.

Having stayed in Kensington before, I have been told by others that this is an iffy area. The owner has answered my questions but was hoping to see if any locals knew more about the area. Thanks.

Heather

I am in no way a local and would generally suggest not staying near Kings Cross Station. I find it a bit seedy and without many decent places to eat and drink. However I notice that it is 10 mins walk to the station so I imagine you are far enough away from the area immediately around Kings X.

It looks a lovely property and very reasonably priced. I would certainly rent it - and have saved it for future reference!

Hopefully some locals will be able to give you more specific answers.

It is quite close to Russell Square and Holburn so it shouldn't be too bad.

Why not look on Google maps.

Hi,
We were in Kings Cross last Sunday to visit St Pancras of course and I must admit I didn't care for the atmosphere of the area and this was during the early evening.
If you do google earth it send me a link and I'll have a look, should do it myself I know but I am supposed to be getting the house ready for the kitchen fitters tomorrow so I'm having a few ST diversions!
Wendy

What on earth made you think that you will be in the King's Cross area? The VRBO website doesn't call it that as far as I can see and the only mention of it is that you can walk to it in 10 minutes or that it is one tube stop away.

This flat is in Bloomsbury. The word Bloomsbury is repeated several times in the blurb. You'll be in a nice area of Georgian buildings, loads of flats and some businesses, minutes from the British Museum and walkable to the most touristed parts of the West End. Furthermore you will be able to go out dancing late into the night and afford a taxi home (if you don't feel like walking)

This is my idea of heaven! If we could afford to sell up and move to Bloomsbury I'd be on a perpetual high. I think you'd be mad not to take it.

If you go to Google maps and enter Handel Street, London, UK, you will see that Handel Street is a short street. If the windows are overlooking Handel Street, as it says in the ad, this is indeed very close to the new Brunswick shopping centre and about 3 minutes walk from Russell Square tube stop.

I likewise consider this a fabulous neighborhood. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury very near to there, and liked it very much.

Hi,
I think you will be fine in this area. The area around King's Cross used to be seedy but has been cleaned up. This area has gone through major regeneration in the last few years. I have a friend who lives in the area and never feel unsafe visiting at any time .
I hope this helps.
Mary

Thanks for all the opinions. I'll probably go for it and rent it. It'll be nice to stay in another area of London other than Kensington. Plus, I'll still have Waitrose close by...love that store

Heather

quote:

this is indeed very close to the new Brunswick shopping centre and about 3 minutes walk from Russell Square tube stop.

We were at the refurbished Brunswick centre recently, to go the the Renoir cinema (very nice 'art house' and foreign films and friendly atmosphere) and commented on how much nicer this area is now - all the Georgian houses that had fallen into disrepair or multi-occupation use (I knew lots of friends living in them as tatty student shares in the 70s!) are looking very smart now. The Brunswick itself makes a nice browsing area, with plenty of places to get a coffee - and feels very safe.

In the day you'll see lots of 'suits' about - there are a lots of legal firms, publishers and small professional companies based in that area.