The 800-acre community was built in the early 20th century as an antidote to inner-city overpopulation. It is surrounded by nature reserves and enjoys magnificent views over a quiet stretch of Hampstead Heath, one of Londoners’ favorite parks.

In the summer of 2006, another group of squatters moved into a property around the corner from Suharto’s. It used to be the residence of a former owner of London’s Wembley Stadium, and in 2005 was used as the home of the character played by Kevin Costner in the film The Upside of Anger.

It was spotted by Calin Ciufudean, a 31-year-old Romanian landscape gardener who worked in the area. “I wasn’t fazed by people with money, their wealthy streets and tight security,” he says. A group moved in and, busying themselves with power tools and cleaning supplies, transformed the dilapidated house.

“I put myself into the owners’ situation,” Ciufudean says. “I wanted them to benefit as much as I did by living there for free.”

The story, which grabbed the attention of the local and national media last year, helped to change the generally widespread perception of squatters as unemployed outcasts. But the publicity also spurred the property developers who owned the mansion to begin an eviction process.

Ciufudean and friends had already found a new property just a stone’s throw away. Ciufudean remembers contacting the owner, a private landlord who spends most of his time abroad: “I told him ‘We are in your house, we live here, we’ve got some mail for you. Do you want to come and collect it?’ He must have appreciated that honesty, and when he came around, he was keen to compromise.”

Today, they are still enjoying their home with none of the worries or downsides usually attached to squatting, such as hostile owners or lack of basic amenities. They have running hot water, electricity, and wireless internet connection, for which they regularly pay bills.

However, Ciufudean knows that a squat is not forever. All squatters have stories of eviction, often sudden and sometimes violent, and soon he and his roommate may again need to move.

“Squatting might take some certainties away from you,” he says. “But it will give you something else in return. It keeps you sharp; it keeps you on your toes.”