Pretentiousness in Golden Lane

[Bosques]

The original purpose of the Golden Lane Estate, the supply of social housing to the working class, is being eroded by the death(s) of original residents and invasion of pretentious middle class, forum using, arty types, Clerkenwell set, latte consuming, Provence holidaying. dull peeps who are obsessed with the design (Chamberlian, Bon and Powell have a lot to answer for!!) of the GLE, despite its shambolic state. Discuss.....

[Michael Bojkowski]

If the 'pretentiousness' of recent resies is the least of your problems then I reckon the Golden Lane Estate is doing pretty well in comparison to most of the places you could choose (or indeed be allocated to live in) in London.

[Bosques]

Glad to see this (slightly tongue in cheek) post is soliciting a response. I do think the Chamberlain, Bon and Powell factor, along with the listing issue is a major barrier to repairing the tired looking buildings on the estate, especially the tiresome process of sorting out the Great Arthur House windows!

I do think that the 'Clerkenwell set media types/Mon-Thur City gals/boys' dilute the real reason for why the estate was built, but I guess that is progress....

[Nick Lee]

Agreed it's not perfect but there aren't many estates which have tennis courts, a swimming pool, community centre, estate office etc etc. Excellent location too: tube stn 3 mins walk away, bus stops with good services to the West End and Waterloo. Good shopping nearby too at Tesco, Waitrose, M and S to name but a few.
Probably why there's such a long list of people who want to come and live here.
Have lived on another Corporation Estate and thank my lucky stars I managed to get a place here.

[John]

My occupation takes me all over central London, which gives me a good feel for other residential areas. Yes there may be 'nice parts', such as South Ken or Fitzrovia, but I still prefer the quirky charm of living in the City. As far as pretentiousness levels on the estate go, they don't even register on the scale compared to the aforementioned areas. In my view this is a great place to live with a good mix of friendly people, and of course the best brutalist architecture this side of Romania :)

Nick Lee said:

Agreed it's not perfect but there aren't many estates which have tennis courts, a swimming pool, community centre, estate office etc etc. Excellent location too: tube stn 3 mins walk away, bus stops with good services to the West End and Waterloo. Good shopping nearby too at Tesco, Waitrose, M and S to name but a few. Probably why there's such a long list of people who want to come and live here. Have lived on another Corporation Estate and thank my lucky stars I managed to get a place here.

[15 storeys high]

[Michael Bojkowski]

I have to put my hand up and say I have never owned a car and have never learnt how to drive. I always figured if I can travel all the way from Australia (now there you'll find some real auto-addiction) without a licence there's no real reason for having one. The only time I've ever wished I had a car was when trying to lug stuff back from Ikea. :)

Tracy Meddows-Lynch Batten said:

Well at some point in our lives we all owned a car, i still do, its not that i have to explain the reason why but what with the forthcoming strikes on the tube, buses being jammed packed, and knowing we can travel safely from point A to point B is a must especially these days.

[John]

Used to own a lovely old style Mini Cooper, which was a joy to drive. Sold it shortly after moving to London. Certainly don't miss the jump starts on cold mornings, filling up with overpriced petrol and being ripped off by mechanics! 

Michael Bojkowski said:

I have to put my hand up and say I have never owned a car and have never learnt how to drive. I always figured if I can travel all the way from Australia (now there you'll find some real auto-addiction) without a licence there's no real reason for having one. The only time I've ever wished I had a car was when trying to lug stuff back from Ikea. :) Tracy Meddows-Lynch Batten said:

Well at some point in our lives we all owned a car, i still do, its not that i have to explain the reason why but what with the forthcoming strikes on the tube, buses being jammed packed, and knowing we can travel safely from point A to point B is a must especially these days.

[Michael Bojkowski]

Hope the trip to Ikea wasn't too traumatic. At least we don't have to go all the way to Croydon. :)

Tracy Meddows-Lynch Batten said:

Funnily enough Michael. were off to Ikea today, ill take the car me thinks:-))) Edmonton here we come

Michael Bojkowski said:

I have to put my hand up and say I have never owned a car and have never learnt how to drive. I always figured if I can travel all the way from Australia (now there you'll find some real auto-addiction) without a licence there's no real reason for having one. The only time I've ever wished I had a car was when trying to lug stuff back from Ikea. :)

Tracy Meddows-Lynch Batten said:

Well at some point in our lives we all owned a car, i still do, its not that i have to explain the reason why but what with the forthcoming strikes on the tube, buses being jammed packed, and knowing we can travel safely from point A to point B is a must especially these days.

[15 storeys high]

hi there , i have nothing against people with cars or residents who pay a lot of money! for allocated parking spaces on the great arthur terrace/forecourt ?. what gets my goat is the abundance of commercial vehicles parked all day monday to friday outside the entrance door to the block including the clearly marked disabled bay causing residents some in wheelchairs and young children the inconvenience of having to navigate between vehicles that are causing an obstruction by parking in an area that is for pedestrians ,there is no need for this and the estate office should get a grip of the situation.

Tracy Meddows-Lynch Batten said:

Well at some point in our lives we all owned a car, i still do, its not that i have to explain the reason why but what with the forthcoming strikes on the tube, buses being jammed packed, and knowing we can travel safely from point A to point B is a must especially these days.