Where are the best places to live in London? Whatever you’re looking for, there’s an area for you in the capital.
Looking to buy or rent in the capital city? London has some fantastic locations spread across 32 unique and distinct boroughs. As with any city, though, there are some true gems that stand out among the crowd.
Finding the best areas of London to live in promises opportunities for everything from exciting nightlife activities to relaxing, family friendly atmospheres. All areas in London have evolved their own personalities, and by searching for the best places to live in London for you, you’ll ensure you end up somewhere that really suits your lifestyle.
So where is the best place to live in London?
Best London Areas: The All-Rounder — Hammersmith
Hammersmith is the West London borough with a little bit of everything. A safe neighbourhood with excellent schools, leisure centres and recreational areas, it’s perfect for families. With its south side running across the bank of the Thames, there are also wonderful green spaces for relaxation and several famous water-front bars that offer superb staging areas for social get-togethers and fun nights out. This West London area also features restaurants aplenty (over 100), lots of high street-brand shops and entertainment venues that range from comedy clubs and concert halls to cinemas and sports clubs. There isn’t anything you won’t find in the borough of Hammersmith.
Affordable homes are available in Hammersmith. Prices start at a reasonable £300,000 to buy or £1,200 to let, although there are plenty of opportunities for more expensive residences, with Hammersmith providing an array of options that range into high luxury. What really sells Hammersmith for many, though, is the transport links. Known as the hub of London transport, there is no better urban area to live in the capital of the United Kingdom if you want to get around. With excellent links across the city, everywhere from Central London to East London, as well as direct access to Heathrow Airport, Hammersmith keeps you connected.
Horton and Garton are the best estate agents in West London with an unparalleled, intimate knowledge of Hammersmith. If you’re looking for a property in the area, you’ll find nobody better.
Best London Areas: For Young Families — Richmond
There are two important factors people often consider when finding a home in London for their young family: schools and security. Without these, the London area is a no-go, no matter what else it offers. The best place to raise a family in London is a place you know they are getting the best possible education and are staying safe. With that in mind, few places can top Richmond.
Crime rate data from the Metropolitan Police shows us that Richmond sees half as many crime reports as the Greater London average. The schools of Richmond are also known to be of exceptional quality, with over 50 establishments rated either outstanding or good by Ofsted. The chances of getting children into an excellent school in Richmond are high. Satisfying your hunt for good schools and safe neighbourhoods, Richmond goes a step further by providing excellent parks and recreational grounds for weekend activities and socialising. Safe, well-equipped and fun, Richmond really is one of the best places in London for families.
Best London Areas: For Budgeting — Croydon
For a long time, Croydon didn’t have a great reputation. But that’s all changed. Croydon has seen a fully fledged renaissance over the past decade. Major developers have moved in to “gentrify” the region, and with a new and enormous Westfields shopping mall heading to the borough, even more prosperity is sure to follow. Croydon has never been as bad as people say, and now it’s one of the great places to live in London.
Full of culture, lively locations for socialising and beautiful park areas, there’s a lot to love about Croydon. What really draws people here, though, are the prices. Despite its transformation into a young and modern suburb, the old reputation of Croydon means prices for homes remain low. One of the best places to live in London while on a budget, Croydon has all you’ll ever need and at a reasonable price — something few people in other areas of the city can claim.
Best London Areas: For Nightlife — Shoreditch
Shoreditch is not a borough of London, but instead a district within Hackney. Why have we singled out Shoreditch, then? Because it is, hands down, the best place in London to live if you’re interested in the party and nightlife scene. You’ll find everything you could ever want here, from classic pubs and clubs to themed bars, including New Orleans-inspired venues and Brazilian-style hangouts.
Known as the hipster capital of London, Shoreditch has only recently risen to prominence as the centre of nightlife in this already bustling and lively city, which means as time goes by, the vibrant streets of Shoreditch are only going to get more exciting. Deep inside Central London, Shoreditch is also within easy reach of other nightlife hotspots, like Camden, Mayfair and Soho. It’s the perfect place to live if you’re all about great nights and great memories.
Image by Albrecht Fietz
Best London Areas: For Culture — Camden
London is a melting pot of cultures. Few cities in the world can boast diversity like the United Kingdom capital can. Whether you’re in East London, South London, North London or West, there is rich culture oozing from every borough and district you find. When we say, then, that Camden is the best of the bunch, you know it must be a pretty special place.
Truly, Camden is one of the best places to live anywhere in the country, let alone London, if you want to immerse yourself in cultural experiences. Music, dance, food, art, comedy, drama, religion, history; all this and more is present in Camden, in abundance. If your perfect lifestyle is built around getting out and experiencing the very human side of London life, being part of a rich community and getting involved in local activities, there is nowhere quite like Camden.
Image by Heike Georg
Best London Areas: For Rural Life — Bromley
Long debated as either being a part of Kent or London, Bromley is officially an area of Greater London, having merged with South London from the county of Kent as it became a significant part of commercial London. An old market town, Bromley still retains much of its old character, despite being an area of London. In fact, of all the areas in London, Bromley has one of the highest ratios of greenery and parks: 52% of Bromley is green-belt land, second only to Havering, at 54%. The population in this area of South East London is also spread out. You’ll find many charming areas with a classic English country village feel to them, despite being part of the capital. With so much green space, it’s easy to forget you actually live in London, when you move to Bromley.
Best London Areas: For Easy Living — Chiswick
You’ll often hear Walthamstow hailed as the relaxed area of London to live in, but we’re here to suggest an alternative: the West London borough of Chiswick. Chiswick is, without a doubt, one of the best places to live in London if you’re looking for an easy and relaxed life with the conveniences of the capital. Chiswick has great Central London connections, and tube lines can get you into Waterloo within 30 minutes. The district itself is a beautiful mix of contemporary London and green space.
As you travel through Chiswick, you’ll certainly get a sense of nature intertwined with an urban setting, a theme that has been very much built into the local community. With wonderful parks perfect for picnics, scenic areas including the glorious Chiswick House offering an unbeatable afternoon stroll and riverside walkways that capture the idea of an idyllic London evening beautifully, Chiswick’s laid-back atmosphere is unbeatable if you’re looking for a slower pace.
Packed with coffee shops, cafes, independent shops and old, cobbled streets, this little slice of picturesque English living is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the big city, while still being well within its borders.
Find your new home in Chiswick with Horton and Garton. We have a fantastic selection of properties, ranging from cosy one-bedroom flats to impressive five-bedroom homes. Get your own slice of the quiet life while being close to the bustling centre of London. Call our Chiswick office on 020 8996 5120 (sales).
