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`Harlesden’s Hidden Gem: The Real Story Behind So-Ha`

BBG News

During the 1990s and early 2000s, it gained a notorius reputation due to its high crime rate in Britain. Gangs known as ‘yardie’ were engaged in violent conflicts over the sale of crack cocaine on the streets.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, this place was infamous for having one of the highest crime rates in Britain. Violent gangs, known as ‘yardie’, were involved in turf wars over the distribution of crack cocaine.

However, Harlesden in the north-west region of London recently gained a fresh and delightful recognition – it serves as the backdrop for the highly anticipated BBC comedy series titled Amandaland.

In the spin-off of the widely loved Motherland series, the character Amanda, portrayed by Lucy Punch, has gone through a divorce and left her high-class neighborhood in West London (Chiswick) for Harlesden.

Instead, she refers to the area as ‘South Harlesden’ or ‘So-Ha‘, attempting to give a stylish twist to her more modest living situation.

She enthusiastically expresses her preference, ‘I’ve moved on from W4 [Chiswick]. Now I’m really into So-Ha.’ The notoriously high-class mother of two is referring to an area known for its roots in British reggae music, located north of Wormwood Scrubs. It’s also recognized as the site of several record labels. ‘Real estate insiders often refer to it as South Harlesden,’ she adds.

Amanda’s mother, Felicity (played brilliantly by Dame Joanna Lumley), expresses her opinions about the place in a witty and sarcastic manner. Upon visiting for the first episode this week, she humorously comments, ‘Darling, let me in before I get robbed,’ indicating a hint of skepticism.

Expressing dissatisfaction about the absence of a nearby Waitrose, she shares that she’s prepared a ‘snack box’ for her daughter and grandchildren since they only have access to a Tesco Metro store.

Was she right to be afraid, though? What’s the true nature of ‘So-Ha’: rough cityscape or imminent haven for yuppies?

According to certain reports, it’s amusing to note that the scenes from Amandaland were not filmed in Harlesden as stated. Instead, they were shot in the more affluent areas of Islington and Muswell Hill. These locations had to be intentionally made to appear run-down for the filming.

As The Mail recently paid a visit to the genuine Harlesden, it’s clear that the fresh nickname and performance are undeniably putting smiles on the faces of the community members.

Conor Jeeves, a 30-year-old PE teacher at his former elementary school, shared that he’s noticed children using shorthand versions of words, such as ‘already.’

He noted: ‘Harlesden has faced its challenges, but if you take a stroll, you’ll encounter folks from your childhood.’

This place truly feels like a community, albeit with areas that can be challenging, much like any other location. I’ve personally never encountered such difficulties here. It’s noticeably more upscale than my school days, boasting some charming cafes now. Plus, its location is superb, nestled between Wembley Stadium and Westfield.

Just outside Harlesden Underground Station, we ran into Eddie, a friendly, burly bailiff who’s been in the area for 25 years. He had never come across anyone mention So-Ha before, and he chuckled about it. As for those concerns that one might get mugged if you linger outside for too long, well, Eddie seemed to suggest that such incidents are not a common occurrence in this part of the city.

Eddie acknowledged that maintaining privacy in business is acceptable, but meddling and getting into trouble could prove challenging. He added that while there’s a certain negative image associated with crime among the youth, it’s not an awful place to reside.

Stepping just a short distance down the High Street, I, James Jooste, 63 and sales director at Churchill Mathesons estate agents, couldn’t help but appreciate So-Ha too. However, as a dedicated follower of this vibrant area, I felt compelled to highlight its unique identity. ‘South Harlesden doesn’t exist,’ I said, emphasizing that this location is much more than just a label.

‘No one would ever say they live in So-Ha, and we don’t market it as such.’ 

He cautioned, “People might think of Harlesden as rough. In the past 18 months that I’ve resided here, I’ve only encountered two shooting incidents, which include an incident at a pizzeria where shots were fired – however, no one was injured.

As a seasoned lifestyle guide, allow me to share my personal insights gleaned from my journey – my family and I relocated to the vibrant city of London five years ago, hailing from South Africa’s sun-kissed shores. I’ve noticed that a significant number of career-driven individuals are drawn to this city for one compelling reason: the allure of affordable real estate compared to more upscale areas like Acton, which have already undergone a transformation into posh neighborhoods.

Harlesden is situated on the Bakerloo line and boasts excellent connections to the city center. With the upcoming arrival of HS2, it’s expected to get even better. You can find spacious family homes within a price range of £700,000 to £800,000. For those looking for larger detached properties, prices exceeding £1 million are common in the area.

In the high street, the cosmopolitan character of Harlesden is especially apparent.

Once upon time, the region was predominantly associated with its Irish community and Caribbean culture, however, today it’s a vibrant mix of cultures. Brazilian grocers and coffee shops coexist with Jamaican takeaways, a Portuguese deli, halal markets, and a Nigerian eatery, all adding to its rich tapestry.

Yesterday, an unmistakable aroma of marijuana wafted through the air. Mr. Jooste shared with us: “There’s a diverse crowd that you find in the lively downtown area. However, it also has some pleasant residential neighborhoods.

A real estate agent’s colleague from another property management firm commented: ‘For those unfamiliar with this neighborhood, it might seem a bit unrefined or even slightly unsafe. In fact, some visitors who come for property viewings have changed their minds after their initial visit to the area.’

36-year-old Emily Russell, an ardent admirer of the show “Motherland,” recently relocated along with her sons, aged three and one, to a spacious four-bedroom Victorian terraced home in Harlesden with her legal spouse, approximately 18 months ago.

I chose to settle here due to its affordable attributes, and I’m eagerly anticipating exploring Amandaland. While calling it So-Ha as a joke may seem fitting, it’s quite misleading. This neighborhood certainly isn’t undergoing the rapid gentrification that ‘So-Ha’ might suggest.

In response to a question about local crime, she shared that her mobile phone was recently stolen, nearly right where we were talking, yet she added, ‘incidents like this can occur anywhere within London.’

Instead, she mentioned that their family hadn’t experienced antisocial conduct, however, they considered littering to be an issue.

Following numerous encounters with Harlesden locals, it became apparent that this neighborhood is remarkably diverse, drawing people from various nations and socio-economic backgrounds to create an energetic, colorful blend of cultures.

Yes, it may be a long way from Chelsea or Mayfair – but it’s clear that it’s on the up.

It seems that real estate in this area is becoming increasingly attractive as more lawyers and professionals are setting up shop here. This could make it an excellent opportunity for property investment in a growing market.

It seems that Amanda might have found her stride unexpectedly well, and it’s quite possible that her So-Ha nickname may become popular more quickly than people anticipate.

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2025-02-07 04:36

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