Residents have described of their life in the Nottingham suburb which was years ago described by some as a place to "stay away" from. Sandwiched between the city centre and the picturesque Victoria Embankment, it could be said The Meadows once had a reputation for crime.
However, so much has changed over the years and families have moved into the area specifically for the schools and tram links. It is also the attractive housing developments that bring more people into the area, residents say - as the ever-growing city suburb spreads across an even wider area than in years gone by.
Jane Taylor, who is originally from Bristol, said: "Whenever people ask me where I live they are like 'oh my' - but I just think it is gentrified.
How Nottingham are you? Take our phrases quiz
"The worst place in Nottingham is not the worst place in Bristol", the 49-year-old added. "This is not a bad area at all.
"There are many families living here - it is a nice area. I walk around even at night and yes, sure you get youths hanging out and about - but that's everywhere.
"To me, this is mild", she said. "And also it is a walking distance. We are sandwiched between the city centre and the river which is nice.
"This is a brilliant location. And it is not an expensive area."
According to latest Home Office data, The Meadows has recorded 127 reports of crime, of which 31 were shoplifting and 28 were antisocial behaviour. By contrast, Clifton has recorded no less than 330 reports of crime according to the figures published on police.uk.
Manager Areme Wilson, who also lives in the area, added: "It has definitely changed from what it used to be years ago. You have got the schools - you have got the embankment.
"There is not much trouble around here compared to what it used to be. There is more community now."
The 25-year-old has lived in the area for five years and has thought about buying a house in the suburb. He added: "For me, the shift probably happened seven, eight years ago.
"It was 'stay away from the area' rather than 'go through it' years ago. Now this is a place where people want to live in.
"You have got new houses, new developments. It is family-friendly because of the schools that are close-by."
Lynn Nicholson, a supermarket assistant, 58, added: "Every time I tell people where I live they gasp. I lived here for 12 years and I have never had any trouble.
"It is a nice place for families. It is very family-oriented. I moved here because it is where my mum used to live and I just stayed here ever since."
Margaret Spencer, who used to run the Old Meadows Tenants' Association, said she noticed a shift in the area around ten years ago. The 83-year-old, born and bred in the Meadows, added: "It is a lot quieter than it was.
"People want to live in the area now. And I think it is a brilliant place to live."
She said the area used to be "rough", however this is not the case in The Meadows anymore. Ms Spencer added: "We never owned a car.
"We always walked or used public transport. You can walk to the cricket grounds, you can walk to the train station.
"Around 20 years ago crime was rife. The phone boxes were vandalised every day, we have photos of cars that were burnt, people were taking drugs.
"But things calmed down since. It is very family-oriented, we have doctors, solicitors and business people wanting to move in here. And then they do not want to move once they are here."
READ NEXT:
