A Renter’s Life in London: The Inside Scoop
London is a city with so many vibrant neighborhoods that there is one for every type of personality. I moved to London four years ago with no clue as to where I would end up. But with a little exploring, I found my fit, and you can too! Here is an American ex-pat’s perspective on London neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods
Notting Hill, Kensington, & Chelsea
Types of Rentals:Lots of houses that have been broken up into flats and large family homes. These areas are the posh neighborhoods closest to central London.
Known For:The quintessential London flat that Americans dream of from the movies.
Don’t Miss:The parks, including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Also, many of these neighborhoods have private gardens only available to a specific radius of residents who pay to maintain the gardens. For Americans, there is a giant Whole Foods (good for homesick days) andPartridges(a food market that sells lots of American food items).
Transit:Chelsea is always difficult to get to, but Notting Hill and Kensington are easier based on main tube lines.
Similar:Holland Park, Mayfair, Fulham, and Marylebone
Islington
Types of Rentals:Lots of Georgian style houses and smaller apartment buildings. There is a mix of families and young professionals. A bit more of a suburban feel right near central London.
Known For:Islington is a large neighborhood made up of smaller areas such as Clerkenwell, Canonbury, Highbury & Islington and areas along the canal. Home to the famousArsenalfootball team.
Don’t Miss:Upper Street is the main drag filled with restaurants, shops, and bars. There is a big cinema complex as well as an adorable independent theater calledScreen on the Green.
Transit:Located right off both the Northern Line and Victoria tube lines, there are bus routes to almost anywhere in the city, too.
Similar:Finsbury Park
Shoreditch
Types of Rentals:Lofts and new build flats filled with hipsters, artists, and city bankers.
Known For:Nightlife and street art all built around several streets making up the famous Shoreditch triangle. This is the neighborhood that made Banksy famous.
Don’t Miss:ShoreditchBoxParkis a new eating and shopping destination built from cargo containers.Columbia Road Flower Marketis a must every Sunday morning for brunch and fresh flowers for a tenner. Plus the newAce Hotelsolidifies the gentrification of this neighborhood.
Transit:Close to the Northern line and Liverpool Street station can take you anywhere you want to go. There is a huge crowd of cycle enthusiasts in this neighborhood, so you may want to invest in a set of wheels.
Similar:Hackney, Dalston, Bethnal Green
Hampstead
Types of Rentals:Large old Georgian mansions with many broken up into flats available for rent.
Known For:Hampstead Heath is a 790-acre wildlife refuge and park that is great for families and dogs.
Don’t Miss:The great old classic pubs hidden about the neighborhood including theHolly Bushandthe Wells.
Transit:Located off of the Northern line and just enough out of the city to feel like you have escaped.
Similar:Belsize Park, Highgate
Primrose Hill, Camden
Types of Rentals:Large homes with many broken up into flats, including coveted mews houses that were once horse barns in the 1800s.
Known For:Primrose Hillis a hilltop in Regent’s Park that gives great city views and a perfect picnic spot.
Don’t Miss:名人发现:凯特·莫斯,格温史蒂芬妮,Jamie Oliver call this ‘hood home.
Transit:A bit of a walk to the nearest tube station Chalk Farm on the Northern line, many residents have the income to own a car.
Similar:St. John’s Wood, Swiss Cottage
Borough and Southwark
Types of Rentals:New builds and lofts mixed with homes built post WWII.
Known For:A haven for foodies withBorough Marketand Maltby Street Market. Many of the scenes from Bridget Jones’s Diary were filmed around here, including her flat.
Don’t Miss:The Tate Modern. Bermondsey is a dog-friendly neighborhood with pubs and shops catering to the needs of your furry friends.
Transit:London Bridge has trains and buses to pretty much anywhere you want to go in London or England.
Similar:Bermondsey
Clapham
Types of Rentals:Old Victorian homes with many split into flats for rent and new large apartment buildings starting to go up near the convenient tube stations.
Known For:The great park expanse of Clapham Common.
Don’t Miss:Venn Street Marketis a great farmers and artisan market on Saturday mornings.
Transit:Clapham is based off the Northern line making it an easy trip into the city or West end.
Similar:Lavender Hill, Kennington
The East End: Bow and Stratford
Types of Rentals:Small Victorian homes and large new build apartment buildings that are very modern.
Known For:The 2012 Olympics brought lots of new revitalization to these neighborhoods including the newWestfield Stratford.
Don’t Miss:Victoria Parkis a huge green space that was introduced in 1845 to London’s East end by Queen Victoria who realized that people in cramped living quarters needed outdoor space.
Transit:Lots of great bus, tube, and biking options including the new周期超级高速公路.
Similar:Whitechapel, Leyton, Mile End
Canary Wharf
Types of Rentals:New build high rises that are a good value. Canary Wharf is set apart from the city of London and not the most convenient location unless you actually work in the Wharf.
Known For:The center of banking and business for those who are all work and no play
Don’t Miss:Greenwichis the closest neighborhood area that includes theMeantime Brewery, London’s oldest Royal Park, theCutty Sark, andNational Maritime museum.
Transit:The DLR line runs here and connects to the Jubilee line
Similar:Shadwell, Wapping
Resources:
Getting Around:TFL(Transport for London) has a great website that will help plan your journey anywhere in London and beyond whether you are walking, driving, or taking public transit.Zipcarsare now readily available around London. For taxis, black cabs are still the most reliable and now withHailoandGet Taxiapps you can order one on demand.Uberis also starting to pick up popularity in the city. If you don’t own a bike, you can rent one by the hour withBarclays Cycle hire.
Stuff to Do:Timeout,ES Magazine, andStylistare all free when you take the Tube during the week.
MORE LONDON RESOURCES ON APARTMENT THERAPY
- How to Find the Perfect Flat in London
- Life in London: 10 Tips for Surviving and Thriving
- A Design Lover’s Guide to London