Where Should I Rent in London?
From the hustle and bustle to tranquil delights, nowhere in the UK manages to encapsulate all of the vibes quite like London.
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No matter your flavour, London has it in abundance. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hipster or a banker (or a hipster banker?), the postcodes of the capital are waiting with your dream home. You just need to find which one it’s in. And that’s where we come in.
London living
London’s neighbourhoods offer an eclectic mix of, well, pretty much everything. From architecture to local amenities, each area offers its own distinct take on the capital. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll present a selection of areas and what you can expect from calling them “home”.
Read on, and find out where you should rent in London.
East London
The last 15 years have seen East London garner a reputation for being the place where the creatives dwell. Whether you’re an artist, innovator or techie, East London should be high on your list of places to rent in London.
Neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Hackney and Bethnal Green offer laid-back vibes where creativity sits at the forefront of local culture. Further east towards Stratford is where London’s 2012 Olympic legacy resides – along with a plethora of new residential developments.
For the bankers and future CEOs, Old Street’s Silicon Roundabout and Canary Wharf’s financial district, where modern high rises don the skylines and offer a slice of New York-style living, will pique your interest. Both areas offer the best representation of London’s tech and financial scenes.
Areas in East London
(Average prices for a one-bedroom apartment)
Shoreditch: £2,245
Hackney: £1,640
Stratford: £1,470
Canary Wharf: £1,730
Royal Victoria Dock: £1,440
Walthamstow: £1,180
Bethnal green: £1,770
Wapping: £2,000
Leytonstone: £1,110
North London
North London is sought after by everyone, from single professionals to large families. The area is known for its many village-like neighbourhoods, as well as famous sites such as Abbey Road in St. John’s Wood. Whether you want sleepy postcodes or bustling markets full of life and vibrancy, North London has you covered.
Hampstead is known for its cobbled streets, grand houses, and Hampstead Heath, where there are 790 acres of green space and plenty of local wildlife. Just down the road from Hampstead is where you will find Camden, one of London’s most iconic areas.
And if Camden is a bit too hectic for you, try Crouch End. The N8 postcode offers the same vibes but dials everything down just a tad. Families find themselves flocking to East Finchley and Muswell Hill, while a few of the Shoreditch creatives trickle into Angel & Islington, thanks to the N1 postcodes creativity and style.
Areas in North London
(Average prices for a one-bedroom apartment)
Hampstead: £1,950
Camden: £2,120
St. John’s Wood: £2,115
East Finchley: £1,310
Muswell Hill: £1,290
Highgate: £1,550
Angel & Islington: £2,075
Highbury: £1,665
Archway: £1,710
Kentish Town: £1,865
Crouch End: £1,290
South London
Perhaps the most varied area in the capital, South London has a bit of everything, from leafy residential neighbourhoods to busy postcodes. Known for its abundance of green spaces, South London stretches from Elephant & Castle all the way to Croydon and Bromley.
Dulwich is one of the postcode hotspots in South London, with East, West and the Village of Dulwich all proving popular with families. Across the river, Fulham offers one of South London’s most exclusive postcodes. Herne Hill and Camberwell are frequented by families but also have their own unique vibe doused in creativity. Brixton is iconic in its own right.
Heading further south, Crystal Palace has seen plenty of regeneration and boasts boutique cinemas and independent restaurants. Croydon is fast becoming a bustling area of the capital and is even nicknamed The Cronx after it’s New York counterpart. Bromley and Beckenham are near Kent and embody country vibes with plenty of green spaces.
Areas in South London
(Average prices for a one-bedroom apartment)
Crystal Palace: £1,135
Dulwich: £1,335
Streatham: £1,230
Lewisham: £1,250
Beckenham: £1,050
Croydon: £980
Elephant & Castle: £2,175
Fulham: £2,280
Brockley: £1,210
West Norwood: £1,225
Clapham: £1,630
Brixton: £1,550
West London
West London encompasses famous postcodes that are hugely popular with families. It’s all about the residential life in West London with its highly-rated schools and parks aplenty. That’s not to say there isn’t city buzz to West London, with Notting Hill leading the way as arguably the capital’s most famous postcode.
West Kensington proves to be a popular place for those priced out of South Kensington and Chelsea, while Hammersmith offers a buzzy atmosphere more akin to central London. Ealing is another hotspot with families, while Holland Park has an aura of exclusivity.
Shepherds Bush is home to Westfield and some of the best markets in London. Chiswick is another residential area with tasty patisseries and independent shops. Acton is also an emerging area which has seen extensive regeneration over the years.
Areas in West London
(Average prices for a one-bedroom apartment)
Hammersmith: £2,150
Notting Hill: £2,400
West Kensington: £1,930
Ealing: £1,400
Shepherd’s Bush: £2360
Chiswick: £1,890
Acton: £1,350
Holland Park: £2,190
Brentford: £1,380
Kew: £1,560
Bayswater: £2,400
Central London
Home to a handful of London’s exclusive postcodes, central London is the most affluent area in the capital. Rents are above market average in but calling one of these areas your home puts you right in the heart of the action.
Mayfair and Marylebone sit right in the heart of the West End, offering luxury accommodation that is a stone’s throw away from the best London has to offer. Soho has the nightlife scene, while Covent Garden places you theatreland. St. Paul’s, Liverpool Street and Moorgate sit in the East Central postcodes.
Chelsea and South Kensington offer luxury in abundance, especially the former which is home to the King’s Road – one of the UK’s most iconic streets. Knightsbridge is where you’ll find Harrods and Harvey Nichols, two of the most famous shopping stores in the world. Hyde Park features a cluster of properties overlooking London’s most famous park.
Areas in Central London
(Average prices for a one-bedroom apartment)
Marylebone: £3,620
Mayfair: £4,195
Paddington: £2,460
Chelsea: £3,290
Knightsbridge: £4,250
St. Paul’s: £3,285
Moorgate: £3,520
South Kensington: £3,350
Victoria: £3450
