London attracts people from all over the world for its world-leading industry, rich culture and diverse, fast-paced lifestyle. But which areas of London are the best to live in? Read on to discover the top 10 best places to live in London, according to thousands of ratings from verified residents on HomeViews.
What are the rankings based on?
HomeViews collects reviews of new property developments in the UK, with residents rating every aspect of their home – including its location. We’ve also collected thousands of Streets reviews from Londoners living in older properties.
We compiled location ratings from over 17,000 Londoners on HomeViews to bring you this list of the top 10 best London boroughs to live in.
10 best places to live in London
Map showing the best areas to live in London according to over 17,000 Londoners
Bromley is our top-rated London location, with an average score of 4.62 out of 5 among reviewers in the borough. Bromley is the largest of the 32 London boroughs, stretching from Crystal Palace and Mottingham in the north right down to Biggin Hill in the south. It’s also a borough that transitions dramatically from suburban to rural, with farmland making up around 30% of its total area. The principal town of Bromley offers residents a 20-minute commute into central London and attracts families and young professionals seeking affordable housing and top quality schools.
In second place, Kingston Upon Thames’ location average score is a strong 4.54 out of 5. Kingston Upon Thames is a vibrant and dynamic town that has something to offer for everyone. It boasts an incredible range of shops, restaurants and pubs in its historic town centre. Meanwhile, the many parks and green spaces provide the perfect backdrop to Kingston’s famous Tudor architecture. With such a diverse range of attractions, it’s no wonder that Kingston Upon Thames continues to attract new residents from all over the country.
Richmond Upon Thames takes third place, with an average location score of 4.48. Consistently voted one of Britain’s happiest places to live, Richmond Upon Thames is an affluent residential district. And why wouldn’t its residents be smiling from ear to ear? This Zone 4 London borough connects to hotspots like Clapham Junction and Victoria. But, with its rural, riverside setting and fascinating royal history, it could easily be mistaken for somewhere like Windsor.
Sutton takes fourth place with an average score of 4.44. Sutton is a hugely popular commuter spot for young families seeking more space outside central London areas. Excellent schools add to its appeal, alongside plenty of open green spaces and good value homes. The town of Sutton offers a great selection of family homes, from 20s and 30s semis to large detached houses and Edwardian period properties, as well as some very popular new build developments.
In fifth place, Islington scores 4.41 out of 5 for its location rating. A borough of many faces, its mish-mash of neighbourhoods each have their own distinct personality, from the urban bars and pubs of Angel to the chintzy antique stores of Camden Passage. Its properties have many guises, too – there are in-the-thick-of-it luxury apartments, and period townhouses sitting shoulder to shoulder on sleepy backstreets.
Hackney comes in at number six in our London location rankings, scoring an average of 4.41 out of 5. Once upon a time, Hackney was topping lists of Britain’s worst places to live. But the borough has had a colossal transformation in recent years. and now, E8 is one of the capital’s most fashionable postcodes.
Harrow takes an average location score of 4.40 out of 5. Chances are, if you’ve never been to Harrow before you’ll have only heard of its famous occupant Harrow School. And you’d be forgiven. With ex-pupils including Winston Churchill, Richard Curtis and Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s easy to see why the establishment’s been given more column inches than the rest of the area over the years. But Harrow has lots more to offer. It’s located just 13 miles from Central London, close to sprawling countryside, and neighboured by Stanmore, Hendon, Wembley and Ruislip.
Croydon also scores 4.40 out of 5, but finds itself just below Harrow in eighth place. There are two great reasons to live in Croydon, these go hand in hand to make it a compelling choice; its relatively cheap property prices and its excellent transport links into Central London. On top of that, numerous initiatives are transforming Croydon and helping make its once dowdy image a thing of the past.
Located in North East London, Waltham Forest is our ninth highest-rated London location, with an average rating of 4.39 out of 5. Waltham Forest is one of the largest boroughs in the city. It comprises several distinct areas, each with its own unique charms. The population of the borough is diverse and vibrant, making it a great place to live.
Rounding off the top 10 of the best locations in London is Lewisham, scoring 4.38 out of 5. Lewisham lies just a few miles south-east of Central London. It’s a borough given a little more than just a fresh coat of paint in recent years. In fact, this area has seen plenty in the way of renovation, including, a transformation of the town centre and a brand-new riverside park. As such, it moved at lightning-speed into the ‘up-and-comer’ category a couple of years back. Then, in the blink of an eye, it became highly sought-after, courtesy of its affordable homes and fantastic transport links.
What’s it like to live in London?
London is a vast, global city with a diverse population of almost 9 million. Subsequently, the city offers something for everyone. Perhaps you’re looking for a slice of authentic urban culture. Maybe the slick, fast-paced rhythms of commercial centres appeal, or it could be a relaxed, family vibe you’re after.
There’s modern city living in Canary Wharf, while diverse Brixton, Hackney and Tottenham offer a global tour of food and culture. Meanwhile, leafy West London boroughs offer a more laid-back pace beside the meandering Thames. Alternatively, in North London, Islington, Camden and St. John’s Wood are playgrounds for the capital’s urbane professionals and fashionistas.
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What are London property prices like?
As of September 2022, the average price of a property in London is £727,743. This is based on data from Zoopla from sales over the past 12 months, and prices vary across the city.
Bromley, London’s highest-rated location according to reviewers on HomeViews, averages a price of £541,034. Additionally, second-placed Kingston Upon Thames averages £805,001. At the other end of the scale, homes in eighth placed Croydon cost an average of £389,688.
Find the best new homes in London
Are you considering London for your property search? If you want an overview of the best new homes in the capital, read our Greater London area guide below. It contains reviews of the best new properties to buy and rent across the city.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
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