Wembley Park, with its new 26-storey towers and older low-rise suburban side streets, has been named as one of best places to live in London in 2025 by The Sunday Times.
This paper went to find out if the people who live and work there agreed.
Collins and Matilda Owosu have lived in Wembley Park since they came to England in 1991.
Collins said: “I have lived here since I came to this country so I cannot compare it to anywhere else.
“I’ve never encountered a problem. I don’t know what’s out there but I know what’s here – lovely people, friendly, I think (The Sunday Times) might be right.”
Alex Dursina, a mobile welder, said he is ‘very happy’ living in Wembley Park (Image: Nathalie Raffray)
Alex Dursina, 33, who shares a 7-year-old son with wife Ana, lives near Wembley Stadium and works as a mobile welder.
He said: “It depends what part of Wembley Park you’re in,” he said. “I’m very happy in this place. We have everything around, everything we need like groceries, clothes. Everything is close, sometimes we think we are on holiday.”
Jason Sanmugan owns Andy’s Barbers in Bridge Road. He said: “This is the oldest barber in the neighbourhood, it’s been here 25 years. I bought it 14 years ago from the previous owner.”
Jason says on event days he has clients walking in off the street. He added: “I get customers from all around the world.”
He added: “It’s safe here. There’s a police station just down the road and policeman, CID, everything very near.”
Customer Leon Borrino, 25, lives with his partner Eleanor nearby and works in the hospitality industry. He says “Wembley Park has all the best barber shops”.
It may not be as friendly as up north though. Leon moved from Manchester three years ago and said “people aren’t that nice compared to there”, but added: “We’re in a good location, it’s easy to get into central London.”
Delivery driver Jeizel Vasconles, 42, is married with two children, and has lived off Olympic Way for 15 years.
“Around here it’s a really nice area. It’s really calm, there’s no crime, no machete and guns,” he said.
Pete Valentu, 28, was visiting with his friend Stephen Plant, 55.
Pete said: “Walking around this morning I was thinking I could live here. Look at those glorious balconies. This is a beautiful place. It’s not in the centre but it’s not far.”
He added: “I’m conscious of the stadium being near. I don’t live far from the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, which can get crazy but it doesn’t affect me. I love hustle and bustle.”
Working in the spa industry in Birmingham, he said he was “flexible” about moving.
He added: “In the summer it’s beautiful with concerts and things and it’s very secure.”
Gaye Sahutogullari, a 21-year-old fashion student, lives in student accommodation. She said: “We can access everything, we have a library here which is quite close to my house.
“At first I was a bit scared of student accommodation but it was so easy to adapt. Now I love it here.”
Charlotte Ashton grew up in Northwick Park and now works in PR, and has clients in the area.
She said: “The transformation of Wembley Park is incredible. It’s a great place and one of my favourite things is the community vibe, that’s really in evidence.
“There’s always something going on and so much of it is free.
“The transformation has been fantastic. I love coming back here to see how it’s progressing and changing.”
But it’s not all sweetness and light.
Mum-of-three Natalia Nikolaeva, lives near Harlesden but works at Punch Drunk theatre company with young children.
She came from Russia in 1994 and doesn’t think Wembley Park is the best place to live. She said: “Whenever there’s an event there’s a lot of restrictions – for cars, for sitting down. They move all the tables and chairs and it’s so crowded.
“Last year a man was killed, so it’s not that safe. It’s safer than other areas but not that safe.
“I have seen how it’s changed and it’s much better now. But it’s all about money, so commercial. Most of our children are from low income families, they get flats from the council.”
