Bloody hell some people are picky... Either too rough or too dull, too empty or too populous. Finchley is fine, not exactly exciting but with easy transport links to better places (or does everyone here live right next to a decent bloody venue or something?). Walking distance from the heath (and a few parks of its own), some places to eat out and not at all violent as London goes*.
I'd love to live in Finchley, far too expensive though.
*North can get a bit nasty as mentioned.