London is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in the world. Everyone will have their own opinion of the best places to live around London – so we’ve weighed up the merits of each area. With new homes available in North, East, South and West London, our guide will help you find the right area for you.
The best places to live in North London
With leafy Hampstead and the creative hubs of Islington and Camden, North London has a lot to offer.
The majority of universities in London lie north of the river, which makes it a great place for culture. There’s a strong community spirit with many independent shops around the North London villages of Stoke Newington and Crouch End.
With lots of open green spaces like Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace, it’s very family-friendly and one of the best places to live in London for young families. But with a wide range of historic buildings and areas to explore like Highgate Cemetery, there’s plenty to do for those without children too.
Mill Hill
With its village charm, excellent schools, and views of the countryside, Mill Hill is a great area for families with children.
Hendon
Offering great value and excellent transport links is the slightly more suburban Hendon.
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Wembley
With much more to offer than just football and gigs, Wembley is one of the best places to live in North West London.
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The best places to live in East London
East London has transformed over the last few years. Now a hotbed for creativity, this up-and-coming area has a bohemian vibe.
Home of ‘the hipster’, this achingly cool place has great food, bars, and nightlife in abundance. From Shoreditch to Hackney to Stratford, you’re never short of something to do.
Don’t be fooled, East London still has plenty of relaxing spaces to enjoy. From sprawling Victoria Park to the Lea Canal, you can walk around this diverse area for hours.
Walthamstow
One of the best places to live in East London is Walthamstow. Superbly connected to Central London by the Victoria Line, Walthamstow marries hipster culture with a family feel.
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East Ham
For a true slice of East End life, look no further than East Ham. Currently undergoing a big regeneration project, there’s a real community spirit.
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Upton Park
Once home to West Ham United, Upton Park boasts a thriving market, parks, and a city farm.
The best places to live in South London
You may have heard of the great North South London divide. Interestingly, both sides of the river offer similar features – lots of green space and parks, and family-friendly areas.
With a slightly more suburban feel, South London caters for single professionals, families, and older residents alike.
Greenwich is one of the best places to live in South London with beautiful Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory, and the river Thames running through it.
For a slightly more youthful vibe, head to Clapham in the South West or Peckham in the South East. Whilst the London Underground doesn’t cover much of South East London, it’s well-served by National Rail and Overground train services, as well as a strong bus network.
Wallington
Just a 30-minute commute from Central London is Wallington. One of the best places to live near London, it has grammar schools, parks, ponds, and lavender fields on its doorstep.
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The best places to live in West London
Much like the North South rivalry, West Londoners will adamantly declare their area superior to East.
Incredibly diverse, West London boasts the affluent areas of Kensington and Marylebone, alongside the suburban greenery of Ealing and Chiswick.
The namesake of the popular film, Notting Hill is one of the best places to live in West London. Steeped in cultural history, it’s home to The Gate theatre and Notting Hill Arts Club, as well as being the birthplace of London’s punk rock scene and its joyful annual carnival.
With Westfield Shepherd’s Bush and White City in West London, you’re well catered for shops and amenities.
Acton
With 7 named stations, this quiet residential area boasts excellent transport links, with less hustle and bustle than its neighbouring Shepherd’s Bush.
Hounslow
The culturally diverse Hounslow has a friendly village feel with beautiful walks along the River Crane.
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Hayes
If you’re a frequent traveller, Hayes is one of the best places to live in West London with Heathrow and Crossrail nearby. With multiple theatres and brilliant Asian cuisine, Hayes isn’t short on culture.
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If you’re interested in any of our new Barratt London homes, our sales team will be happy to discuss them with you in more detail. |
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