The Best Places to Live in London

London is acclaimed to be one of the best cities in the world – with a rich history and exciting modern atmosphere, it’s a city that has it all. But with such a diverse array of neighbourhoods, it can be tricky to find the best place to live.

As one of the leading removal companies in North West London, we’ve put together some of the best places to live in the city, covering North, South, East and West. Read on to find inspiration for your new home in London.

Crouch End

Crouch End frequently ranks highly in lists of the best places to live in London, recently in The Times and also in Muddy Stilettos. Located in North London in the borough of Haringey, Crouch End is popular with professionals and families alike thanks to its creative edge and vibrant atmosphere.

One key event in Crouch End’s creative events calendar is the Crouch End Festival. Originally launched in 2012, it features art exhibitions, drama, dance, film, poetry, music and more. It’s one of the biggest community arts festivals held in London and brings together numerous groups across the area.

Crouch End has all the amenities you would need, including a variety of chain and independent restaurants and shops. There are also plenty of green spaces, including Alexandra Park which has over 190 acres of woodland and a boating lake, plus a skate park and ice rink. It’s also home to the famous Alexandra Palace, which has all kinds of events on throughout the year, including live music and a huge firework display in November. Priory Park offers a paddling pool and playground, and Queen’s Wood has plenty of walking trails and an adventure playground.

One small downside about Crouch End is that it doesn’t have its own Underground station, but it still retains good transport links across the city. Crouch Hill overground is a short walk away with services to Barking and Blackhorse Road, which have Underground connections. Hornsey Station is close by with National Rail services to Highbury & Islington, Stevenage, and Welwyn Garden City.

East Dulwich

East Dulwich is a popular area in south east London in the London Borough of Southwark and is known to be a relaxed residential area. It manages to combine the leafy, peaceful vibe of Dulwich Village with the urban, diverse feel of Peckham, which are both nearby. East Dulwich is decidedly cool, with an array of independent boutiques, artisan cafes, art galleries, and a popular farmers market. Dulwich Festival is held every May, which celebrates local artists with exhibitions, open houses, and talks.

For green spaces, tree-lined Goose Green Park is a great oasis in East Dulwich. Peckham Rye Park and Common is just a short walk away and features The Sexby Garden which makes for a great place to walk the dog or just enjoy some outside space. Dulwich Park is also easily accessible from East Dulwich, with plenty of walking routes and a lake with pedalos and row boats.

East Dulwich doesn’t have an Underground station but does have a National Rail station with services to London Bridge, which takes around 15 minutes, and to East Croydon, which takes around half an hour.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is a popular, affluent area in West London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It’s known to be multicultural, quirky, and full of character, with beautiful streets and trendy shops and cafes. Notting Hill is a paradise for food lovers, offering cuisines from all around the world to suit all tastes. The area is also famous for its antiques, with markets and shops selling unique pieces. Portobello Market is perhaps the best-known market, and Saturday is the best day to find some special antiques.

In addition to the eponymous film, Notting Hill is also well known for the annual carnival. The Caribbean festival sees many visitors over the August bank holiday weekend, with floats, performers, food stalls, and lots of live music.

Notting Hill has plenty of green space, with Avondale Park and Holland Park popular with locals. The latter features a gorgeous Kyoto Garden which provides a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are just a short walk away, with wide open spaces for outdoor activities and relaxation.

There are a number of Underground stations across Notting Hill, with five lines serving the area – Central, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City, Circle and District. Holland Park to Liverpool Street on the Central line takes around 20 minutes.

Shoreditch

Shoreditch is in east London and is part of the London Borough of Hackney. It’s a trendy, vibrant area with an industrial past that’s developed into a creative, distinctive atmosphere. Shoreditch offers residents an eclectic mix of bars, restaurants and cafes, spanning from cosy relaxed pubs to lively clubs.

There’s an active, dynamic arts scene, with art galleries across the area plus streets decorated with street art. For shops, there’s plenty of choice with some well-known brands and plenty of vintage and independent stores. Shoreditch is known for being a hub for pop-ups, so there’s always something new to experience.

Although almost central, Shoreditch still has some quiet oasis of green space, such as Mark Street Gardens and Boundary Gardens. Shoreditch Park is a larger area with a playground and basketball court and is just a short walk away from the High Street.

Shoreditch High Street Overground has services that run directly to Dalston, Highbury & Islington, Clapham Junction, and Crystal Palace. Old Street is the closest station with National Rail services and Underground services on the Northern line.

Are you moving to London?

Britannia Ryansmove is a family-run removals company with over 40 years of experience in home and business moving across north west London. We have a worldwide reach as part of the Britannia Movers International network and can assist with all kinds of moves, both big and small. Contact us for reliable, professional removals services in north west London or get a quote for an idea of cost.