Where to Live in London
The Scoop on The Best Places
Where are the best places in London? North of the river or south? The monthly rent and the kind of lifestyle you want in London are heavily influenced by your choice of where to live. London is made up of many suburbs or boroughs, each with its distinct atmosphere, vibe and sense of community. Most suburbs in London are like a city within a city, each with its own High Street (the main drag) full of cafes and restaurants and hidden side streets with quirky little stores and cheap takeaways.
Also, check out our cost of living page to compare the average rental costs.
Where to live depends on a few factors.
First, It’s important to base yourself close to your work if possible, as this makes commuting easier, faster and cheaper. Although, this is not always possible and is often prohibited by the cost of living in certain areas.
Fortunately, the public transportation network in London and the UK is comprehensive (see Getting around London) and that (along with the smallish size of the country) enables you to commute nearly anywhere.
You’ll probably also want to be close to any friends or family living in London. I did not mean you have to be neighbours but living a couple of Tube or bus stops away from them is handy for socialising or when a bout of home-sickness kicks in!
For traditional new arrival’ haunts, where you’ll be sure to get a big welcome (but won’t stand out one bit among all the others from ‘around the world’) Earl’s Court, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush are safe bets. However, more and more areas in the outer zones (see London Orientation) are becoming social and business hubs, with affordable accommodation and an array of employment opportunities.
Some of the best places to live in London are:
South
Clapham, Brixton, Battersea and Wandsworth – Clapham and Battersea have become very popular over the past few years, with many of the industrial buildings being replaced by new flats. This is a lively area with plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and pubs. Here you’ll find more reasonably priced accommodation and good transport links.
South West
Earl’s Court, Fulham, Putney, Wimbledon and Southfields – A few decades ago these areas were full of working travellers, particularly Earl’s Court. However as they became less affordable many people seek out the West or North.
West
Shepherd’s Bush, Acton, Hammersmith – In times of old these were the hot spots for Aussies and Kiwis working in London. These days they still have lots of Aussie and Kiwis but these suburbs have a far more multicultural vibe. Go further West for more affordable accomodation.
South East
Greenwich, Docklands, Canary Wharf – The Docklands and Canary Wharf areas relatively new. There are fairly good transport links thanks to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and accommodation is reasonably priced. There isn’t much of a vibe in these areas though, so head to Greenwich if historical buildings and antique markets are more your cup of tea.
North
Highgate, Hampstead, Archway – These pretty Zone 2 suburbs have a village atmosphere, with leafy parks, pubs and fancy restaurants. They are quite pricey though, so you won’t find too many struggling antipodeans. These are real ‘English’ suburbs, where the likes of Jamie Oliver and Pierce Brosnan own houses, so make sure you have plenty of money saved before flat hunting here.
North West
Notting Hill, Willesden Green, Kilburn, Wembley, Camden – Camden and Notting Hill are the trendier suburbs in this area with bustling markets (Camden and Portobello Road), swanky restaurants and buzzing bars. Of course, you will pay more for living with the ‘in crowd’ in these elegant streets. For more affordable but still buzzing suburbs home to many working travellers, try Willesden Green, Kilburn and Wembley.
Table of Contents
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