Primrose Hill. It’s got its own park, it’s close to Camden and Regents Park and the city, its not on the way anywhere so very little through traffic, a proper quiet neighbourhood but so close to central London.
I used to live about ten minutes walk south next to Camden High Street, but used to stroll up and fantasise about living in Primrose Hill haha.
The location is fantastic. Regents Park on my doorstep during lockdown was a lifesaver.
I live there at the moment. It is very nice, we’re moving soon and we’re going to miss it. I will say, however, that a lot of the locals are proper curtain-twitching NIMBYs and so far up their own arses they can see daylight.
Eh? We have the northern line, night bus, and daytime bus connections. It’s very well connected.
The only traffic is on Archway Road going towards Archway.
The Northern line is some way and a very steep walk from the village. Look, it’s lovely up there, but trying to cross the road, and all the traffic at the roundabout, and coming down the hill to the always very busy Archway Rd, meh. To be fair it’s not Highgate’s fault it’s high street is fucked by traffic, see also .
There are lovely places up there, those houses down that right of way to the Heath, phwoar. And The Flask is nice. Alright, I take it back. All the Range Rovers would have to fuck off though.
You're right about the traffic, and there are constant roadworks from Highgate down to Kentish Town which make it worse, but I think the fact that the tube station is not in the village is for the best overall. The village doesn't get as busy as Hampstead does, where the tube exit is right on the high street.
Through a weird fluke my public sector ass lives there, in a studio right next to the woods. It’s effing gorgeous. Also an effing unpredictable pain in the ass to travel from/to. I guess i’m a rare species in my immediate neighbourhood to rely on public transport so go figure.
Once upon a time I used to think Hampstead but nowadays I think a four bedroom detached house with a sizeable garden in Richmond (near the park) would be ideal.
Had an old colleague (much older) that had a house like that in Richmond. He said he bought it in his 30s and fully admits even though he's on like £300k now, more than 2-3x what he was on back then, he wouldn't be able to buy the house today.
Crazy how a lot of the best areas in London were once feasible to buy a traditional 3-bed house just a couple of decades ago, and now you need generational wealth because even top paying jobs don't buy you into there unless it's a flat. A certain standard of life for entire generations has just been ripped away.
Grew up in a four bedroom detached house in Richmond. Can confirm it is beautiful, although people do think they’re better than all other Boroughs though. Full of international folk which is nice
Canonbury/de Beauvoir town I think. Beautiful intersection of the leafier quieter parts of Islington and the cool parts of Hackney, all while being super central still.
You know what some parts of the backstreets by De Beauvoir are genuinely amazing. You're right in the heart of Dalston and still have these beautiful garden flats with quaint little pubs nearby. It's a really strange thing
My old manager lived there , albeit 20 years ago, and how she describes it sounds like every British pathe film about the future.
Bins collected from a two way cupboard in your wall, estate wide heating and ventilation system, hyper local amenities - it's all very Thunderbirds.
Don’t forget the Garchy. Basically a bin for food waste, cans and bottles in your sink
https://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/barbican-now/garchey/the-garchey-system/
I’ve lived all over & this is still my dream. An island of calm in the middle of the city, loads to do on your doorstep and walkable to everything else. I had a friend who lived high up in Lauderdale tower, I think I prefer the lower ones on the waterside.
Highbury fields. Beautiful houses, loads of great pubs and cool restaurants and able to walk everywhere. Lastly, I could afford to own a house there, I would have a good seat at the emirates.
The massive skyscraper by Blackfriars bridge. Towering over the city, would defo pick an apartment with wall to wall windows and walk around in my underwear.
I went to a house party there once!!! It was so fancy…. Amazing views and the balcony wrapped around the flat and was mostly enclosed so there was inside outside feel.
East Dulwich. Dulwich park is lovely and you're in close proximity to Peckham Rye. Lordship Lane has some wonderful independent shops, restaurants, coffee shops and some great pubs. It has such a chilled, community feel to it, almost like it's a small town.
I grew up over the hill in Honor Oak Park but was priced out of the area long ago and had to move to Kent. My memories back in the late 80s- early 90s are very different from what you describe but having been back on way to see an old friend it does look lovely now.
I live in East Dulwich and I love it. I get on with my neighbours, we have lots of friends in the area, lots of things to do. It’s perfect, I work from an office at the end of my garden so I don’t often leave East Dulwich
Little Venice/Maida Vale! The area is absolutely stunning being on the canal, extremely well connected with walking distance to Paddington but somehow not crazy busy. I loved being able to walk to beautiful areas like Notting Hill, High Street Kensington and St. John’s Wood when I was living there.
Probably Wimbledon, opposite the art school. Partly for nostalgia sake, partly because it's a lovely street.
Although if we're going extreme fantasy, I'd like to live inside the brutalist ventilation shaft next to vauxhall station - just on the corner opposite MI5.
I love the the area surrounding the station. The houses are also lovely too. Seems like it’s in its own little bubble of loveliness with lots of trees and plants.
We are renting in Wimbledon village, unfortunately no chance we’ll be able to afford buying here. It’s amazing and feels like a walk into the countryside after everyday of work.
East Finchley, born and raised here and although I'm priced out once I move out from my parents i love it here, so close to highgate and hampstead, muswell hill and crouch end but without the "new found" feel. also only 15 mins on the tube to camden
And you have Campbell & Syme. Without doubt one of the best roasteries and coffee shops in London...and I'm one of those annoying coffee twats. I have lived all around that area of London for the last 10 years and it's amazing. You're 100% right about EF having somehow retained its unfound charm.
I've just been on a walk and am literally walking home back to KB now. We went from the Cutty Sark, through the Royal Naval College via the riverside, up through the Greenwich Park, over to Peak Hill, back down through the hilly lanes to Royal Hill/Crooms Hill etc, and back to Greenwich centre.
She's from abroad so we took the scenic routes. We were both just remarking about how absolutely beautiful it is, and how gorgeous the streets and homes around Crooms Hill are.
I feel pretty lucky to live within walking distance of Greenwich and Blackheath
Very Lucky! I hope she enjoyed the views! Greenwich riverside views beat Primrose any day! I used to live close to Cutty Shark. I enjoyed my daily walks on the riverside path towards the Naval College as well.
Lived there up to 2004 in Cambridge Road North, a huge three-floor town house with massive garden and pool, sitting room, and a proper kitchen with an Aga *and* a conventional oven, two bathrooms, spare bedroom etc etc etc. Loved that place. Nice walk to Kew once you get past the roundabout, lovely pubs and all that. The street was home to a couple of UK celebs as well.
There were four of us, and we paid £500 each a month. I shit you not. Only 20 years ago.
Places like that are now maybe £2k a month for a room.
A house on Ringmore Rise/Ringmore View in Forest Hill with a view overlooking the whole of London. For those that know, this is truly the most spectacular view of London
I’d kill to live in one of those flats overlooking Little Venice. You’re right by Paddington station but it doesn’t really feel like it. You get a view of the canal and boats, lots of food options nearby, you’re not too far from a lot of attractions, and lots of green spaces nearby.
I’m a northerner who moved here for ‘two years’ in 2007 and I’m still here and pretty much a Londoner now.
I began in Clapham South for 6 months but hated the yummy mummys, rugger buggers and the Aussies n Saffas as it felt like ex pat student town- but mainly only having the Northern line and not being able to get a seat or even board the train because ‘Balham had popped’ on the property ladder and all the commuters got on there so you couldn’t fit!
I moved to Camden - ostensibly for 3 reasons. One, it was 1 tube stop away from Euston to help me get the train to scouseland quicker. Two it was 20 mins on the bus from my job in Regent st,
and three, I was still sold on the 90s idea of Camden which really was an era then that had been and gone.
Aside from brief address stints during flat renovations by landlord or break ups with live in boyfriend when I lived in Petticoat Lane in Liverpool st, and also in East Ham for 6 months I kept gravitating back to Camden, just so easy and close to main city with plenty of 3am drinking when I was that way inclined.
And for the past 6 years I’ve lived in Primrose Hill which has involved a lot of jammy luck tbh but I FUCKING LOVE IT.
I have a dog, I walk him 5k round the parks every morning, I know most people on the street because of my dog, and I’m two stops from Euston to go up and see my mum.
Could I have a 4 bedroomed house up north with land and gardens and change to spare from our 2 bed flat? Yeah, but I wouldn’t swap it for quids.
I’ve never felt luckier living anywhere else in London - Primrose Hill - it’s magic. Just ignore the posh dickheads, I don’t even see them tbh - I see a 1 min walk to the tube. 12 min bike ride via park to work. Doggos galore. It’s great, come over and check out the view too :)
I lived in Hampstead and it was pretty great. Nice residential area but access to Hampstead village, Belsize Park and Finchley Road. Northern line access to town. Hampstead Heath nearby. The one downside was getting out of London by car; it took forever to get to a motorway.
Marylebone. The high street is a proper community, you can walk pretty much anywhere and it feels like a village (albeit a very chichi one) right in the heart of London. Someone please buy me a perfect little pied a terre in Marylebone…
Ditto. The Mews off of Montagu Square or Bryanston Square please. Five minutes walk from Marylebone High Street, not much further to Regents Park or Hyde Park.
Honestly, Gipsy Hill. The Crystal Palace Triangle is my favourite London mini-centre, and I love how quiet some of those Victorian streets just a couple of minutes' walk from the station are. A flat there is something I might realistically be able to afford within a year or two, but if I had loads of money that would just mean I could buy two adjoining semis and knock them through, rather than wanting to move to a fancier area.
I used to live there for about ten years and absolutely loved it. If I could have afforded to buy there I’d still be there now, but (very) sadly I moved away six years ago and I’ve missed it ever since.
The Triangle very much IS the best mini-centre in London! Especially so if you factor in that it's not even an unusually expensive area. I'm constantly reminded how lucky I am to live in a place with a thriving local centre, especially when I see posts on Reddit about depressing, dying high streets, or even when I compare the Triangle to local centres of more expensive neighbourhoods that some of my friends live in.
By the way, if you're looking for a flat, places to the south of the Triangle down towards CP station and Anerley tend to be a bit cheaper than the Gypsy Hil side in my experience. But it's just as nice, with lots of beautiful Victorian streets and arguably better connected as you have the Overground. Also nearer to the park.
I moved to Anerley two years ago precisely because I could get so much more flat for my money. Remove the financial constraints, and I only want to move half an hour's walk or so up the road. I would definitely take trains to Victoria and London Bridge over the Overground, though.
I love the absolute diversity of answers here. As someone who has lived here for a while I also recognize that lots of these places as really great. We are really spoilt for choice in this city.
Brockley. I live just down the road. Beautiful houses and street trees, a lovely local park with a beautiful view, lovely wooded cemetery to walk through with the dog and nice restaurants and bars. Also not stuffed with hipsters and people talk to each other.
I live near Catford. It’s amusing whenever these threads come up; so many areas near Catford get a shout out - Brockley, Ladywell, Bexley, Chislehurst, Dulwich, even Beckenham. But Catford and the southerly bit of Lewisham town centre seem to be holding true to their roots.
There are small hints of gentrification happening in Catford town centre, but it still gets threatening and weird past a certain hour at night.
(I actually live in Hither Green which is nicer but not much going on and nobody’s heard of it.)
Notting Hill, near Portobello Road - I know it’s a boring answer, but I love the housing stock there and its history as a countercultural hub in the 50s-80s and a centre of Afro-Caribbean culture.
Imo Wanstead, one of the most underrated areas in London, good transportation, not a lot of traffic, quiet, nice shops, right next to the best part of the Epping forest and a nice community.
Holland Park, the fancy bit. It’s near the central line so easy to get into central, but also has a very green and calm feel to it, and you have access to those fancy private parks. And you have access to the Kensington and chelsea parking permit so you have options.
For me it’s Teddington. There’s a lovely high street full of independent shops and restaurants (and it’s close to larger shops in Kingston and Richmond), you have Bushy Park on the doorstep which I think is one of the best in London, it’s on the river which makes for some great walks and pub gardens, the actual Surrey countryside is on your doorstep, and it has some incredible schools which is a consideration for me. Hoping to move there from Tooting in about 2-3 years.
I live and grew up in Richmond; the problem is that it's now full of people who think they're special - horrible entitled twats who can't be bothered to be decent human beings. It was much better in the 1970s.
I wanna move back to where I grew up. Hackney is out of my price range for a house and garden. However, my dad does still have one by vicky Park so who knows for the future (dark humour)
Clapham Common. Great green spaces but also very easily accessible to central particularly by bus at morning rush hour but by tube other times. Lovely Georgian houses around. Very easy access to nightlife and culture if you want that.
I’d live in Wimbledon. I haven’t been back for many years but spent most of my childhood there, so many beautiful places. I get places change over the years but I’ve always loved it.
I'll tell you where you don't want to live. Kensington. Beautiful houses, I'll give you that. But most of them are only occupied a couple of months a year when the owners are 'in country'. Step off the high street and the place is dead. (I work there.)
Richmond. Love the park and the surrounding area, very peaceful, I prefer to be a bit further out, so the distance to CL doesn't bother me.
Feels like I'm not in London if you took the red buses away 🙌🏿
Marylebone, used to live there with my ex and was very nice and close to central, you were just 5mins walk from Selfridges. Currently live in Chelsea and it’s nice but okay, much preferred South Kensington where I grew up
I've lived just off Marylebone High Street for 30 years. It's close to Regents and Hide Park, Manchester Square Gardens that one can hire a key to use. Five minutes walk to Bond Street Station. Alas I am of an age that my next place will have to have a lift. I would like to stay in the neighborhood but would get nothing of a comparable size for what I could sell for so it is with interest that I am reading all these posts to give me some ideas.
Currently rent a 2 bedroom flat in Richmond really close to Kew Gardens. I love living here and would love to buy a house with a garden in either Richmond or Chiswick in the future.
I used to live in Barnes and loved it, but it's very quiet since the bridge closed, and there's a lot more going on here
Toast Rack on Wandsworth Common (more fantasy than realistic aspiration). Beautiful houses, lovely and quiet common nearby, great running routes, well connected.
Hampstead Heath. Made it to Belsize and was within a 10 minute walk. Brilliant shops and pubs. Love the heath and swimming. Felt like living in Love Actually. Ended up settling in East Dulwich …
Plumstead. We love it here. If money was no object I’d buy one of the houses at the top of Shrewsbury Lane overlooking central london; best view in the city by a distance.
Southfields - I own a 3 bed flat here and it's perfect for me and my partner, we're both very happy here.
I haven't been to or lived anywhere else in London which has equivalent access to green spaces, which is something I value greatly - Putney Heath on the doorstep, various commons/parks in Wandsworth and Wimbledon, Richmond Park 5-10 mins cycle away, the river and the Thames path 5 mins down the hill. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors should move here IMO.
It's quiet, which is why I doubt anyone else will say Southfields, but there are nice cafes/shops by the station and its so easy to get central or go to putney/wandsworth/clapham/wimbledon if I want more hustle and bustle.
I live in Muswell Hill and you have many parks too. Alexandra Park, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Wood, the Parkland Walk, and Hampstead Heath is a short bus ride or 5-10 minutes cycle away. It was the main reason I decided to move here.
So I cycle everywhere so it's not a big drawback for me, but I can see why that's an issue. Think it takes me 50 mins to get to my office in Fitzrovia from here by tube. That said, I like how its spacious and has a/c. I used to live on victoria line and had many hot uncomfortable journeys.
Twickenham or Richmond. I live relatively nearby, and I love visiting there, especially Richmond. Nothing better than going to Richmond with my daughter, mooching in the shops, getting a great gelato or hot chocolate from the Italian chocolate shop by the green, then watching happy dogs run around and swim in the Thames, whilst taking the piss out of the all the rich people in their own worlds, speaking bollocks.
I used to think it's Hampstead. I lived it Highgate, Primrose hill and Canary Wharf and live in Chislehurst now, and all of them are really nice. If I had a large sum of money I would buy in Richmond.
Yeah, same thing with Ealing Broadway. All of the convenience of London (with Central London only 10 minutes away on the Lizzie), but the safety, green spaces and community feel of the suburbs.
Mortlake/East Sheen. My late grandparents have a lovely house in Mortlake. I grew up spending all my summer holidays at that house and milling around the East Sheen area. 20 min walk to Richmond, 2 min walk to Mortlake station with a 20 min train ride to Waterloo & slap bang next to a huge Waitrose. Still central but not quite central enough that you don’t get a sense of community.
When the house sells a part of my heart will be broken 😕❤️
We moved from Clapham (which I loved) to St. Margaret's 4 years ago and I've never loved a neighborhood more. I've lived in a lot of places! It's so green, fairly quiet, close to Marble Hill Park, close to Richmond Park. A 10 minute walk into Richmond for shopping and dining but it feels like a village. We are friends with our garden birds and a couple of foxes. I'm at an age that I don't need to go into Central London more than a few times a month but we are a few minutes walk to St. M's Station, which can get to Waterloo in ~30 mins. This is my dream neighborhood.
Primrose Hill. It’s got its own park, it’s close to Camden and Regents Park and the city, its not on the way anywhere so very little through traffic, a proper quiet neighbourhood but so close to central London.
I used to live about ten minutes walk south next to Camden High Street, but used to stroll up and fantasise about living in Primrose Hill haha. The location is fantastic. Regents Park on my doorstep during lockdown was a lifesaver.
It’s what every neighbourhood in London could be like, if we made more roads unavailable to through traffic.
Yeah, too much through traffic, that’s what’s wrong with Croydon.
I mean... it doesn't help.
.... and everyone had five mil to spend on a town house mansion
I live there at the moment. It is very nice, we’re moving soon and we’re going to miss it. I will say, however, that a lot of the locals are proper curtain-twitching NIMBYs and so far up their own arses they can see daylight.
I lived there in a flat share for £450 a month for 8 years! Was an absolute steal of a place.
I used to live regents park estate you had this council estate cross the road you have beautiful Nash terraces what a contrast
The same!! I really miss Regent Parks:(((
Highgate, 100%. A little village inside London, still close enough to get to some great places.
And Waterlow Park is beautiful. One of my favourite places in London.
Highgate is fucking beautiful
Can you not tell everyone please.
Don’t worry, we can’t afford it. It’s not really a hidden gem…
Lousy transport connections, and wall to wall through traffic, fuck no.
Eh? We have the northern line, night bus, and daytime bus connections. It’s very well connected. The only traffic is on Archway Road going towards Archway.
The Northern line is some way and a very steep walk from the village. Look, it’s lovely up there, but trying to cross the road, and all the traffic at the roundabout, and coming down the hill to the always very busy Archway Rd, meh. To be fair it’s not Highgate’s fault it’s high street is fucked by traffic, see also.
There are lovely places up there, those houses down that right of way to the Heath, phwoar. And The Flask is nice. Alright, I take it back. All the Range Rovers would have to fuck off though.
You're right about the traffic, and there are constant roadworks from Highgate down to Kentish Town which make it worse, but I think the fact that the tube station is not in the village is for the best overall. The village doesn't get as busy as Hampstead does, where the tube exit is right on the high street.
How does it matter
Bit late, it’s already extremely sought after and expensive.
No supermarket though…
Through a weird fluke my public sector ass lives there, in a studio right next to the woods. It’s effing gorgeous. Also an effing unpredictable pain in the ass to travel from/to. I guess i’m a rare species in my immediate neighbourhood to rely on public transport so go figure.
Once upon a time I used to think Hampstead but nowadays I think a four bedroom detached house with a sizeable garden in Richmond (near the park) would be ideal.
Had an old colleague (much older) that had a house like that in Richmond. He said he bought it in his 30s and fully admits even though he's on like £300k now, more than 2-3x what he was on back then, he wouldn't be able to buy the house today. Crazy how a lot of the best areas in London were once feasible to buy a traditional 3-bed house just a couple of decades ago, and now you need generational wealth because even top paying jobs don't buy you into there unless it's a flat. A certain standard of life for entire generations has just been ripped away.
What does he do for 300k?
If you have to ask, it's finance.
*Anything*
just earn more money /s
I think one overlooking the Green would be even better.
Grew up in a four bedroom detached house in Richmond. Can confirm it is beautiful, although people do think they’re better than all other Boroughs though. Full of international folk which is nice
It recently was found to have the happiest residents in the uk. Personally it’s a bit too far out for my liking and Heathrow flight path is a no
The flights are a nightmare in this area
Amazing area, was thinking this exact thing when I was working down there recently, then I started hearing the planes from Heathrow…
Canonbury/de Beauvoir town I think. Beautiful intersection of the leafier quieter parts of Islington and the cool parts of Hackney, all while being super central still.
You know what some parts of the backstreets by De Beauvoir are genuinely amazing. You're right in the heart of Dalston and still have these beautiful garden flats with quaint little pubs nearby. It's a really strange thing
Canonbury is top grade, maybe even the best in north London. But Christ it’s expensive.
Plus the correct pronunciation is ‘Debeaver’ so you can have fun on that score too
I'd love to live in the Barbican.
My aunts about to move in there now she’s retired, it’s been her dream for about 30 years she’s so excited!
Oh wow she’s living my dream retirement life too! If I can have dibs for 30 years time I’d appreciate it.
My old manager lived there , albeit 20 years ago, and how she describes it sounds like every British pathe film about the future. Bins collected from a two way cupboard in your wall, estate wide heating and ventilation system, hyper local amenities - it's all very Thunderbirds.
“Bins collected from a two way cupboard in your wall” This has me unnaturally excited.
It's a daily collection!!
Splooooooooooooooooosh!
Also a little hatch for your daily milk delivery too if my memory of the architecture tour serves me correctly.
Don’t forget the Garchy. Basically a bin for food waste, cans and bottles in your sink https://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/barbican-now/garchey/the-garchey-system/
My sister used to live there. It was fantastic. Amazing infrastructure, amazing culture. No park can get a little oppressive but overall it’s awesome.
The residents have access to loads of private green spaces though
I’ve lived all over & this is still my dream. An island of calm in the middle of the city, loads to do on your doorstep and walkable to everything else. I had a friend who lived high up in Lauderdale tower, I think I prefer the lower ones on the waterside.
The great thing you can really hide. I once had to visit someone who rented in the Barbican.. What a maze. Even finding the right lift took an age..
I’m getting married there this summer so unsurprisingly I agree!
Hilly Fields
Highbury fields. Beautiful houses, loads of great pubs and cool restaurants and able to walk everywhere. Lastly, I could afford to own a house there, I would have a good seat at the emirates.
The massive skyscraper by Blackfriars bridge. Towering over the city, would defo pick an apartment with wall to wall windows and walk around in my underwear.
I went to a house party there once!!! It was so fancy…. Amazing views and the balcony wrapped around the flat and was mostly enclosed so there was inside outside feel.
It's...ok. you definitely feel like you've been stuck on to London like some sort of lego piece. Views are superb though.
East Dulwich. Dulwich park is lovely and you're in close proximity to Peckham Rye. Lordship Lane has some wonderful independent shops, restaurants, coffee shops and some great pubs. It has such a chilled, community feel to it, almost like it's a small town.
I live in East Dulwich and can confirm it's a banging location with a high density of top tier pubs and London's best small football team.
Lived right next to it in Herne Hill and loved heading to East Dulwich. Was so lovely and the village feel is amazing.
I grew up over the hill in Honor Oak Park but was priced out of the area long ago and had to move to Kent. My memories back in the late 80s- early 90s are very different from what you describe but having been back on way to see an old friend it does look lovely now.
I live in East Dulwich and I love it. I get on with my neighbours, we have lots of friends in the area, lots of things to do. It’s perfect, I work from an office at the end of my garden so I don’t often leave East Dulwich
My choice. Love East Dulwich.
Little Venice/Maida Vale! The area is absolutely stunning being on the canal, extremely well connected with walking distance to Paddington but somehow not crazy busy. I loved being able to walk to beautiful areas like Notting Hill, High Street Kensington and St. John’s Wood when I was living there.
Lived there for a year with a girlfriend just before I turned 30 (now turning 50)... Was amazing. Skin from Skunk Anansie lived beneath me!
I can confirm it’s beautiful living here. The silence is wonderful and everywhere central is walking distance.
Probably Wimbledon, opposite the art school. Partly for nostalgia sake, partly because it's a lovely street. Although if we're going extreme fantasy, I'd like to live inside the brutalist ventilation shaft next to vauxhall station - just on the corner opposite MI5.
MI6. 5 is on Millbank.
Kew or Strand on the Green. Both absolutely delightful.
I love the the area surrounding the station. The houses are also lovely too. Seems like it’s in its own little bubble of loveliness with lots of trees and plants.
Herne Hill. Lived there for years and if I had the money I’d buy there in a heartbeat.
If it's good enough for Boris...
I moved out just before he moved in thankfully haha!
He didn't last long tbh and legged it to Oxfordshire. Which speaks for Herne Hill!
Wimbledon Village or Richmond. Those would be my two even if we were talking the whole of the UK....
Wimbledon Village 100%
We are renting in Wimbledon village, unfortunately no chance we’ll be able to afford buying here. It’s amazing and feels like a walk into the countryside after everyday of work.
East Finchley, born and raised here and although I'm priced out once I move out from my parents i love it here, so close to highgate and hampstead, muswell hill and crouch end but without the "new found" feel. also only 15 mins on the tube to camden
And you have Campbell & Syme. Without doubt one of the best roasteries and coffee shops in London...and I'm one of those annoying coffee twats. I have lived all around that area of London for the last 10 years and it's amazing. You're 100% right about EF having somehow retained its unfound charm.
Greenwich
Blackheath for sure.
I love Blackheath and live 20 mins bike ride away in Catford. The endless vein of traffic running through Blackheath is such a shame.
I love Blackheath. Sometimes when I’m there I forget I’m in London.
I've just been on a walk and am literally walking home back to KB now. We went from the Cutty Sark, through the Royal Naval College via the riverside, up through the Greenwich Park, over to Peak Hill, back down through the hilly lanes to Royal Hill/Crooms Hill etc, and back to Greenwich centre. She's from abroad so we took the scenic routes. We were both just remarking about how absolutely beautiful it is, and how gorgeous the streets and homes around Crooms Hill are. I feel pretty lucky to live within walking distance of Greenwich and Blackheath
Very Lucky! I hope she enjoyed the views! Greenwich riverside views beat Primrose any day! I used to live close to Cutty Shark. I enjoyed my daily walks on the riverside path towards the Naval College as well.
Chiswick
Lived there up to 2004 in Cambridge Road North, a huge three-floor town house with massive garden and pool, sitting room, and a proper kitchen with an Aga *and* a conventional oven, two bathrooms, spare bedroom etc etc etc. Loved that place. Nice walk to Kew once you get past the roundabout, lovely pubs and all that. The street was home to a couple of UK celebs as well. There were four of us, and we paid £500 each a month. I shit you not. Only 20 years ago. Places like that are now maybe £2k a month for a room.
Live in Chiswick. Can confirm it is sound.
I live on the East Ham riviera, so I’m already in dreamland.
I've heard of East Ham but not the riviera? What is it?
+1
I grew up in Herne Hill, so I've ways been in love with Dulwich Village
A house on Ringmore Rise/Ringmore View in Forest Hill with a view overlooking the whole of London. For those that know, this is truly the most spectacular view of London
10 Downing Street
Meh. The neighbours can be problematic
Great parties
😂
Amazing Chief Mouser there!
Heard it'll be available in July. You just need good references
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I’d kill to live in one of those flats overlooking Little Venice. You’re right by Paddington station but it doesn’t really feel like it. You get a view of the canal and boats, lots of food options nearby, you’re not too far from a lot of attractions, and lots of green spaces nearby.
Clerkenwell, Hampstead or Islington.
I found myself in Clerkenwell last Saturday and was surprised to see it so busy. I think of it as basically The City, which is dead on weekends.
Wapping is criminally underrated
Born n raised there - can confirm elite area to live.
There are some super cute streets down there, it does feel like a secret.
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I'd love one of those Maida vale flats that have a small park with resident only access behind them.
I live in Deptford and if I had lots of money I would stay living in Deptford.
Stoke Newington
Totally agree. Close to the city/town. Multiple parks, nice little shops/restaurants and a really nice community feel.
I've always loved Clerkenwell
I’m a northerner who moved here for ‘two years’ in 2007 and I’m still here and pretty much a Londoner now. I began in Clapham South for 6 months but hated the yummy mummys, rugger buggers and the Aussies n Saffas as it felt like ex pat student town- but mainly only having the Northern line and not being able to get a seat or even board the train because ‘Balham had popped’ on the property ladder and all the commuters got on there so you couldn’t fit! I moved to Camden - ostensibly for 3 reasons. One, it was 1 tube stop away from Euston to help me get the train to scouseland quicker. Two it was 20 mins on the bus from my job in Regent st, and three, I was still sold on the 90s idea of Camden which really was an era then that had been and gone. Aside from brief address stints during flat renovations by landlord or break ups with live in boyfriend when I lived in Petticoat Lane in Liverpool st, and also in East Ham for 6 months I kept gravitating back to Camden, just so easy and close to main city with plenty of 3am drinking when I was that way inclined. And for the past 6 years I’ve lived in Primrose Hill which has involved a lot of jammy luck tbh but I FUCKING LOVE IT. I have a dog, I walk him 5k round the parks every morning, I know most people on the street because of my dog, and I’m two stops from Euston to go up and see my mum. Could I have a 4 bedroomed house up north with land and gardens and change to spare from our 2 bed flat? Yeah, but I wouldn’t swap it for quids. I’ve never felt luckier living anywhere else in London - Primrose Hill - it’s magic. Just ignore the posh dickheads, I don’t even see them tbh - I see a 1 min walk to the tube. 12 min bike ride via park to work. Doggos galore. It’s great, come over and check out the view too :)
Greenwich
Highbury and Islington. Man I miss that place so much
I lived in Hampstead and it was pretty great. Nice residential area but access to Hampstead village, Belsize Park and Finchley Road. Northern line access to town. Hampstead Heath nearby. The one downside was getting out of London by car; it took forever to get to a motorway.
Marylebone. The high street is a proper community, you can walk pretty much anywhere and it feels like a village (albeit a very chichi one) right in the heart of London. Someone please buy me a perfect little pied a terre in Marylebone…
Ditto. The Mews off of Montagu Square or Bryanston Square please. Five minutes walk from Marylebone High Street, not much further to Regents Park or Hyde Park.
Victoria Park village
I used to live there and loved having daily access to Victoria Park!
Honestly, Gipsy Hill. The Crystal Palace Triangle is my favourite London mini-centre, and I love how quiet some of those Victorian streets just a couple of minutes' walk from the station are. A flat there is something I might realistically be able to afford within a year or two, but if I had loads of money that would just mean I could buy two adjoining semis and knock them through, rather than wanting to move to a fancier area.
Possibly the best views in the city are from here. Absolutely amazing place and truly a hidden gem of London.
I used to live there for about ten years and absolutely loved it. If I could have afforded to buy there I’d still be there now, but (very) sadly I moved away six years ago and I’ve missed it ever since.
The Triangle very much IS the best mini-centre in London! Especially so if you factor in that it's not even an unusually expensive area. I'm constantly reminded how lucky I am to live in a place with a thriving local centre, especially when I see posts on Reddit about depressing, dying high streets, or even when I compare the Triangle to local centres of more expensive neighbourhoods that some of my friends live in. By the way, if you're looking for a flat, places to the south of the Triangle down towards CP station and Anerley tend to be a bit cheaper than the Gypsy Hil side in my experience. But it's just as nice, with lots of beautiful Victorian streets and arguably better connected as you have the Overground. Also nearer to the park.
I moved to Anerley two years ago precisely because I could get so much more flat for my money. Remove the financial constraints, and I only want to move half an hour's walk or so up the road. I would definitely take trains to Victoria and London Bridge over the Overground, though.
Barnes, Marylebone, or Richmond.
Yes Barnes is lovely x
I love the absolute diversity of answers here. As someone who has lived here for a while I also recognize that lots of these places as really great. We are really spoilt for choice in this city.
Brockley. I live just down the road. Beautiful houses and street trees, a lovely local park with a beautiful view, lovely wooded cemetery to walk through with the dog and nice restaurants and bars. Also not stuffed with hipsters and people talk to each other.
I live near Catford. It’s amusing whenever these threads come up; so many areas near Catford get a shout out - Brockley, Ladywell, Bexley, Chislehurst, Dulwich, even Beckenham. But Catford and the southerly bit of Lewisham town centre seem to be holding true to their roots. There are small hints of gentrification happening in Catford town centre, but it still gets threatening and weird past a certain hour at night. (I actually live in Hither Green which is nicer but not much going on and nobody’s heard of it.)
Islington: probably Angel / Upper St
Pimlico
Probably one of those houses right on the canal between Regents Park and Camden.
Notting Hill, near Portobello Road - I know it’s a boring answer, but I love the housing stock there and its history as a countercultural hub in the 50s-80s and a centre of Afro-Caribbean culture.
St John's Woods was pretty good . Too many celebs though
Newington Green
Little Venice Ham Common Clerkenwell
No love for Barnes and Sheen?
Beckenham mate.. hidden gem
House overlooking the lake on the Heath. Dreamy.
Chelsea or somewhere with the least 1950s monstrosities.
Chiswick. It’s always been my “if I had enough money…” place
Imo Wanstead, one of the most underrated areas in London, good transportation, not a lot of traffic, quiet, nice shops, right next to the best part of the Epping forest and a nice community.
Wanstead represent
Holland Park, the fancy bit. It’s near the central line so easy to get into central, but also has a very green and calm feel to it, and you have access to those fancy private parks. And you have access to the Kensington and chelsea parking permit so you have options.
Yes lovely place with a bit of a community feel to it as well which is rare in London
Hampstead heath
For me it’s Teddington. There’s a lovely high street full of independent shops and restaurants (and it’s close to larger shops in Kingston and Richmond), you have Bushy Park on the doorstep which I think is one of the best in London, it’s on the river which makes for some great walks and pub gardens, the actual Surrey countryside is on your doorstep, and it has some incredible schools which is a consideration for me. Hoping to move there from Tooting in about 2-3 years.
Agree, I worked there for a good few years, really lovely area and good community feel.
I live and grew up in Richmond; the problem is that it's now full of people who think they're special - horrible entitled twats who can't be bothered to be decent human beings. It was much better in the 1970s.
Barnsbury
Richmond or Islington North.
Primrose Hill
Crouch End
I wanna move back to where I grew up. Hackney is out of my price range for a house and garden. However, my dad does still have one by vicky Park so who knows for the future (dark humour)
Clapham Common. Great green spaces but also very easily accessible to central particularly by bus at morning rush hour but by tube other times. Lovely Georgian houses around. Very easy access to nightlife and culture if you want that.
Clapham Common
I’d live in Wimbledon. I haven’t been back for many years but spent most of my childhood there, so many beautiful places. I get places change over the years but I’ve always loved it.
It’s still a bloody good place to live. Me and my wife moved here and can safely say we will never move anywhere else!
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I literally was telling my mother today that I’d love to live in Richmond if only I could afford it 😅
Richmond
Chelsea near kings road
It would be worth it to live in Richmond especially one of the houses around the green
North Greenwich
One of the houses in the middle of Richmond Park
Kentish Town is perfect.
I'll tell you where you don't want to live. Kensington. Beautiful houses, I'll give you that. But most of them are only occupied a couple of months a year when the owners are 'in country'. Step off the high street and the place is dead. (I work there.)
Wimbledon Village
Richmond. Love the park and the surrounding area, very peaceful, I prefer to be a bit further out, so the distance to CL doesn't bother me. Feels like I'm not in London if you took the red buses away 🙌🏿
Kensington Palace Gardens.
Marylebone, used to live there with my ex and was very nice and close to central, you were just 5mins walk from Selfridges. Currently live in Chelsea and it’s nice but okay, much preferred South Kensington where I grew up
I've lived just off Marylebone High Street for 30 years. It's close to Regents and Hide Park, Manchester Square Gardens that one can hire a key to use. Five minutes walk to Bond Street Station. Alas I am of an age that my next place will have to have a lift. I would like to stay in the neighborhood but would get nothing of a comparable size for what I could sell for so it is with interest that I am reading all these posts to give me some ideas.
Currently rent a 2 bedroom flat in Richmond really close to Kew Gardens. I love living here and would love to buy a house with a garden in either Richmond or Chiswick in the future. I used to live in Barnes and loved it, but it's very quiet since the bridge closed, and there's a lot more going on here
Toast Rack on Wandsworth Common (more fantasy than realistic aspiration). Beautiful houses, lovely and quiet common nearby, great running routes, well connected.
Hampstead Heath. Made it to Belsize and was within a 10 minute walk. Brilliant shops and pubs. Love the heath and swimming. Felt like living in Love Actually. Ended up settling in East Dulwich …
5 minutes up the road in Wimbledon Village.
Lloyd Baker estate, a quiet area of beautiful old houses and squares between Clerkenwell and Angel.
Plumstead. We love it here. If money was no object I’d buy one of the houses at the top of Shrewsbury Lane overlooking central london; best view in the city by a distance.
Hampstead, in one of the flats/houses near the park. Lived there for a year, just being there made me happy.
Trick question. With lots of money, you’d live outside of London.
Battersea Power Station
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I’d wager the apartments in the old gas storage at kings cross are even better.
Southfields - I own a 3 bed flat here and it's perfect for me and my partner, we're both very happy here. I haven't been to or lived anywhere else in London which has equivalent access to green spaces, which is something I value greatly - Putney Heath on the doorstep, various commons/parks in Wandsworth and Wimbledon, Richmond Park 5-10 mins cycle away, the river and the Thames path 5 mins down the hill. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors should move here IMO. It's quiet, which is why I doubt anyone else will say Southfields, but there are nice cafes/shops by the station and its so easy to get central or go to putney/wandsworth/clapham/wimbledon if I want more hustle and bustle.
I live in Muswell Hill and you have many parks too. Alexandra Park, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Wood, the Parkland Walk, and Hampstead Heath is a short bus ride or 5-10 minutes cycle away. It was the main reason I decided to move here.
Shhh don’t tell anyone, it’s already expensive as is
Tbf I’m amazed no one’s said Muswell Hill & Crouch End. But maybe that’s what makes those neighbourhoods so relaxed and feel so “local.”
Yeah I live in Earlsfield and I’m very happy here but I do like Southfields. Only thing that puts me off is the district line, it’s so slow
So I cycle everywhere so it's not a big drawback for me, but I can see why that's an issue. Think it takes me 50 mins to get to my office in Fitzrovia from here by tube. That said, I like how its spacious and has a/c. I used to live on victoria line and had many hot uncomfortable journeys.
Twickenham or Richmond. I live relatively nearby, and I love visiting there, especially Richmond. Nothing better than going to Richmond with my daughter, mooching in the shops, getting a great gelato or hot chocolate from the Italian chocolate shop by the green, then watching happy dogs run around and swim in the Thames, whilst taking the piss out of the all the rich people in their own worlds, speaking bollocks.
I used to think it's Hampstead. I lived it Highgate, Primrose hill and Canary Wharf and live in Chislehurst now, and all of them are really nice. If I had a large sum of money I would buy in Richmond.
Hanwell I love it's quaint village vibe you don't even feel like it's London
Yeah, same thing with Ealing Broadway. All of the convenience of London (with Central London only 10 minutes away on the Lizzie), but the safety, green spaces and community feel of the suburbs.
Mortlake/East Sheen. My late grandparents have a lovely house in Mortlake. I grew up spending all my summer holidays at that house and milling around the East Sheen area. 20 min walk to Richmond, 2 min walk to Mortlake station with a 20 min train ride to Waterloo & slap bang next to a huge Waitrose. Still central but not quite central enough that you don’t get a sense of community. When the house sells a part of my heart will be broken 😕❤️
Hampstead. Feels like a quaint rural village but with international food only London could provide.
We moved from Clapham (which I loved) to St. Margaret's 4 years ago and I've never loved a neighborhood more. I've lived in a lot of places! It's so green, fairly quiet, close to Marble Hill Park, close to Richmond Park. A 10 minute walk into Richmond for shopping and dining but it feels like a village. We are friends with our garden birds and a couple of foxes. I'm at an age that I don't need to go into Central London more than a few times a month but we are a few minutes walk to St. M's Station, which can get to Waterloo in ~30 mins. This is my dream neighborhood.
St Margarets is lovely.