Cricklewood is where people look when they've outgrown their West Hampstead flat or Queen's Park and want more space for their money. Geographically it's well placed at the end of the M1 and only 3 miles from Marble Arch. However, it's a bit of a staging post and incomers will say that they live in the more upmarket Willsden or Golders Green. There are settled communities here, some of which are rather select and very discreet - the Hocroft Estate for example, but there are also pleny of rented flats, and flats to buy that are in reach of ordinary incomes. In June 2001, a black panther was captured in Cricklewood after a 10 year campaign by residents. The animal was originally nicknamed the "Beast of Barnet" by the local press following numerous sightings around south Hertfordshire and the fringes of north London!