Notting Hill

There appears to be a misunderstanding, a misperception surrounding Notting Hill...especially by Americans. 

Notting Hill is not the glamorous place you think it is.

True, some of the wealthiest people in the country live here; true, some of most well known celebrities live here; but Notting hill is also home to one of the oldest and largest communities of West Indians in London.  And they are not doing so well.

They came in the 1950s and 60s and settled here...befre it was trendy.  And they stayed here.  But they live in small, governemnt owned flats. 

These flats are directly next to the large coloured hosue Notting hill is famous for

http://cuboidal.org/photos/2005/01/15/IMG_0265-medium.jpg

http://dev.null.org/_gal/i/London/NottingHill1/img_7393?s=V

I had to move in with my sister after losing my job.  I could no longer afford the rent on my flat ($1,200) a month.  My sister lives on the edge of Notting Hill near a place called Maida Vale.

I suppose when you see other parts of London, this area would be considered "upper tier".