Uncategorized, 27 September

Where to live in London

 

Moving to the UK and not sure where’s the best place to live in London?

The list below contains the most popular and sought after residential areas by expats (mainly with families) for living in London.

First of all – let’s understand how London is built with regards to its different areas, districts, and boroughs:

he Greater London area is a part of England which is divided to 33 districts or boroughs. Each of these regions is governed as a small city, with its own municipality, education system, characterised suburbs, and architecture. The boroughs are divided to two groups – The Inner London boroughs, which include Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, and Westminster, and the Outer London borough, that surround the above boroughs and include Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, and Waltham Forest.

Each borough has its advantages and disadvantages, some are cheaper while others are luxurious and posh, or some are bustling with a vivid night life scene, while others are more pastoral and quaint, and more suitable for raising a family, making them more popular within the community of expats due to their good balance of characteristics and higher value for money when taking into account the commute time to the city and the quality of the school system.

The following areas are in rather high demand by expatriates with families living in London:

1. Dulwich

Affluent with many green open spaces, public and private schools to chose from, and low crime rates, Dulwich is an historic Victorian suburb of London which due to its great positioning in zone 2 benefits from very good access to public transportation.

2. Islington

An up and coming area with a unique mixed atmosphere, originating from its unlikely mixture of residents, ranging between the posh liberal elite and celebrities to young families drawn to Islington’s good connectivity to the city centre and many open spaces.

3. West Hampstead

Located in zone 2 in North West London, West Hampstead has kind of a village feeling, with many large open spaces and high quality schools, and it has easy access to the Jubilee line, making it a popular residential chose for many young families with kids.

4. Fulham

Located in West London, Fulham has became a very popular location by many expats, mainly due to its easy public transportation access and relatively cheaper rooms for rent pices, especially when compared to neighbouring Chelsea.

 

 

5. Crystal Palace

This quite green area is located in south London and it characterised by the many Victorian houses mixed with newly built projects. Its school system is Crystal Palace is considered in high regards, a factor that’s appealing to many families.

6. Soho

One of the most famous parts of London, Soho is a popular destination of the West End, filled with an abundance of cultural activities, old unique shops, and trendy restaurants.

7. Barnet

With its countryside feeling, Barnet is a nice, safe area with many green parks and a  good school system, which also benefits from good access to public transportation via the Northern the Piccadilly lines.