When it comes to moving to London, one of the most important details is deciding where you actually want to live. London is a massive city and each neighborhood (or boroughs as they are called here) are really different from one another. So, how do you decide? Choosing an area to live in London can be tough because there is something special about each one. I wanted to make your choice a bit easier by breaking down a few of the best neighborhoods in London (that I’ve been to).
Choosing an Area to Live in London
Living in East London
East London is a really cool, trendy area to be in. Its a really popular area for creatives! It’s eclectic and gritty. A lot of digital nomads and freelancers can be found over here. There are really cool markets, awesome bars, and amazing food in the area. It’s really well connected to central London as well both by the tube and the buses!
Some of the neighborhoods in east London are Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, and Hackney. It can be quite expensive, so definitely keep that in mind when choosing an area to live in London. I lived in Hoxton for six months and my rent was 736 pounds a month for a tiny bedroom in an ex council flat with five other people and no living room.
If you move even further east, there is Canary Wharf. This is a good place to live if you work in Canary Wharf, but there really isn’t much going on over there on the weekends.
Living in Southwest London
I currently live in Southwest London and I absolutely love it. There is so much going on down here that I don’t even feel like I live outside of Central London. But, the best part about living down here is that it isn’t as crowded as central london. I lived in big house with five other girls with six bedrooms, a massive kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and garden. I paid 776.
I recently moved into a one bedroom flat and we pay 1425 pounds before bills.
There are a ton of amazing parks like Battersea Park and Clapham Common. There are delicious restaurants and so many cool places to check out down here. It’s really fun to explore the area. Plus, it’s super easy to reach central London. There are trains from Clapham Junction that get you to central London in about five minutes, a number of tube lines, and tons of buses!
Some of the neighborhoods in Southwest London are Brixton, which has a really cool eclectic vibe, Clapham which is a good mix of families and young professionals, and Battersea which is a lot of families and a really beautiful area!
Living in Southeast London
Southeast London is becoming a cool place for people to live, and when people are choosing an area to live in London, they often pick Southeast now. A lot of people say it’s the next shoreditch. People are moving to Peckham which has a vibrant art scene and is a really cool place to hang out. It’s connected to Central London via the overground. Rents are a bit cheaper, but that will probably change as it continues to get cooler and cooler to live there.
Another part of southeast London is Greenwich. It’s way less busy than the city and has a lot of history to it! There is Greenwich Park, Greenwich market, and a ton of other cool spots to hang out!
Living in North London
I haven’t spent much time in North London, but I love heading to Camden. Camden is well known for being a music hub and because of that there are a ton of cool venues to explore as well as Camden Market, which has some really good street food. It’s also right on the canal, which is a treat because the canal is beautiful! Kings Cross station is only a 20 minute walk from Camden, which means that you’re actually closer to central London than you think!
Hampstead is probably the most picturesque location in North London and that’s because of Hamstead Heath. There’s a beautiful view over central London and there are even swimming ponds there! It’s located on the Northern Line so it’s pretty well connected to central London! If you love being near nature, this is a good spot for you.
Living in West London
People who live in West London will say it’s the best! I find it to be a lot quieter than other parts of London and that’s because a lot of families live over here. Still, if you want to be close to royalty, West London is worth checking out.
My favorite areas are Kensington and Notting Hill. Kensington has a lot of interesting museums to check out and some really beautiful streets to stroll down. Notting Hill has portobello market and colorful lanes to explore! Chelsea is nearby and has the reputation of being pretty fancy…and expensive.
If you go further west, rent is a lot cheaper in Shepards Bush. I have a lot of friends who live there and they really love it! You’re close to great transportation links and Westfield shopping centre as well as some cool outdoor markets!
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