The Best Places to Live in London
There are plenty of reasons to want to live in London. But choosing where in the capital to move to can be hard without local knowledge. To help you in your search, here are some of the best places to live throughout London.
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Where Are The Best Places to Live in London?
The best place to live in London will depend on your individual circumstances. However, there are some areas of the capital that particularly stand out.
Bexley
Bexley is one of the most affordable parts of London. The whole city has a reputation for being expensive, but you will find properties in Bexley available to buy or rent at prices you would find outside the capital. The only drawback is the distance from central London. Being on the outskirts of London, commuting to central London from Bexley is expensive. But if this isn’t a concern, it is one of the best-value places to live in the UK.
Camden
Camden is renowned throughout the UK for its vibrant arts scene and bustling market. But Camden isn’t just somewhere everyone should visit, it is also one of the best places to live in London. Camden has certainly earned its reputation as a major hub for hipsters. It remains one of the best places for creatives and young professionals looking for somewhere to live in central London.
Richmond
If you are looking to raise a family in London, Richmond stands out as one of the best places you can choose to live. Richmond boasts some of the lowest crime rates in all of London. It also provides easy access to outstanding schools and plenty of natural green space. The perceived threat of crime deters many families from moving to London. Richmond is in the top three London boroughs for low crime rates.
Where Are The Best Places to Live in North London?
North London is home to most of London’s more family-friendly areas. London’s northern outskirts have long been popular with families. However, there are also desirable areas close to the city centre.
Camden
Camden is the cultural centre of north London and a must-visit destination for anyone who is passionate about food or fashion. Camden’s central location makes access to the rest of London straightforward. There are frequent overground and Underground trains connecting the borough with the rest of the Greater London area.
There are a range of property types on offer in Camden at various price points. Whatever your budget is, there’s bound to be something suitable for your needs available in Camden. For anyone working in neighbouring Westminster, Camden provides a cheaper cost of living while maintaining access to London’s most famous landmarks.
Hampstead
If you think that London is nothing but a grey concrete jungle, Hampstead will change your mind. Hampstead is one of the most picturesque locations London has to offer. It is surrounded by the famous Hampstead Heath, a 320-hectare open green space that is perfect for relaxing with friends and family and for exercise. If access to open green space is important to you, Hampstead is one of the best parts of London you can choose to live in.
Many of the properties available in Hampstead are situated in old Edwardian and Georgian houses. These beautiful properties match the elegant surroundings. As well as its prime north London location, Hampstead also offers excellent transport links to the rest of the country.
Highgate
Like many major metropolitan cities, life in London is known to be fast-paced. The pace of life in London is an attraction for some people but puts other people off moving to the capital. If you are looking for a slower pace of life, Highgate is the ideal borough for you. Transport links to central London aren’t as good as Hampstead. But if this isn’t a deal-breaker for you, Highgate is well worth considering.
Where Are The Best Places to Live in East London?
East London has a chequered past and is still associated with high crime rates in some people’s minds. But the area has changed a lot, and this impression is no longer accurate. East London today has a lot to offer renters and buyers.
Shoreditch
Shoreditch embodies the east London spirit. There is always something going on in Shoreditch, thanks to the cornucopia of independent boutiques, artisanal cafes, and the famous Brick Lane Market.
Not only is Shoreditch a trendy area with a vibrant social scene, but it is home to a range of stylish modern apartments situated in old converted buildings. Transport links to the rest of London are excellent.
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is rapidly turning into one of the most vibrant areas of east London. During the day, Bethnal Green attracts young professionals, bankers, and a host of other people to its independent coffee and food outlets.
Anyone hoping to escape the noise and stress of central London will find Shoreditch a relatively quiet and relaxed area that still provides easy access to central London. Oxford Circus is just 15 minutes away.
Where Are The Best Places to Live in South London?
Anything south of the River Thames is considered part of south London. Accordingly, a diverse range of areas are represented under this umbrella.
Clapham
Home to the eponymous junction, Clapham is another area that has transformed in recent decades. Today, Clapham is one of the most vibrant parts of the capital and one of the best places to rent. One of the main selling points of Clapham is Clapham Common, one of the finest open green spaces in all of London.
Clapham High Street attracts shoppers from far and wide thanks to the range of businesses occupying the shops there. Every Saturday, the Venn Street food market is an essential attraction for food lovers everywhere.
Greenwich
Greenwich is known as the centre of time, as the Meridian Line runs through the Greenwich Observatory. It is also a great place to live if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of central London. Greenwich provides a quieter environment and a slower pace of life than central London. The transport links to nearby Canary Wharf have made the area popular with financial professionals working in the City.
Brixton
Brixton was an area in turmoil throughout the 80s and 90s, with race riots and community tensions running high. In 2020, Brixton has become one of the most diverse and trendy parts of London. The lively arts and music scenes have made Brixton a popular destination with young professionals who want to live around like-minded people.
You can easily access central and north London, thanks to the Victoria Line. There are numerous cafes and independent food outlets in Brixton. Brixton Market has provided quality produce and food to locals for decades now.
Where Are The Best Places to Live in West London?
West is best! London’s West End is world-renowned. People discuss the West End in the same terms they do Broadway. There are plenty of desirable places to live here.
Kensington And Chelsea
Kensington and Chelsea is known as one of the most affluent areas of the capital and one of the most expensive places to live in the whole country. But if money is no object, this is definitely one of the best places to live in London. The area is home to King’s Road, which serves as the focal point for the area. During the day, visitors come from far and wide to experience Kensington’s cafes. When the sun goes down, the bars come to life, drawing socialites from the surrounding area.
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is another affluent part of London that has seen its fortunes change over the years. Notting Hill is best known for two things – the film named after the area, and the Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place every summer.
Notting Hill brings together the class and style of London’s West End with a more bohemian attitude. Rents in this area are higher than the London average. However, you get what you pay for with easy access to the rest of the capital as well.
Where Are The Best Places to Live in Central London?
Central London is where all the action is. Here is where you will find London’s most important landmarks.
Westminster
Westminster is at the heart of political life in the United Kingdom. Not only is it home to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, but Westminster is also one of the best places to live. It provides simple access to the rest of London’s famous West End, and it is also equidistant from many of London’s most popular attractions. As well as numerous landmarks within Westminster, there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding area.
Because of Westminsters’ importance to UK political life, transport links are excellent. You can easily get in and out of Westminster using public transport.
Mayfair
Mayfair is perhaps the only part of London considered more affluent than Kensington and Chelsea. Living here is definitely expensive, but you get what you pay for. The beautiful architecture and streets of Mayfair are world-renowned. Areas like this are what gives London it’s distinct character; Mayfair has seen many a famous resident over the last century.
London’s 32 boroughs have a lot to offer. The areas identified above are just some of the best places to live in London.
