You can afford to be more flexible in your search for the ideal rental home when working in Zone 1, as your travel time is likely to be similar from any direction. However, while commute times may be similar, the areas can be very different.
North, south, east and west London all have their pros and cons and chances are you already have a preference. But do you really know what other parts of the capital are like? Read on to discover where you should rent in London if you work in Zone 1, depending on what the most important factors are for you when it comes to finding your ideal area.
North
Great if...
You need to be close to good road links
Some of England’s major road links start in North London, such as the M1 at Brent Cross, which connects London with the Midlands and the North of England. There’s also easy access to the A1, as well as the M11 that links the capital with Cambridge in around an hour – on a good day, that is.
You’re a fan of London’s alternative nightlife
With Camden, Hackney and Dalston on your doorstep, you’re guaranteed to find yourself crammed into one of North London’s clubs – which are mostly the size of a postage stamp – on a Saturday night and subsequently spend the next day holed up in a hipster pub nursing a hangover.
You prefer travelling by tube
North London has way more tube stations than south London. In fact, there are an average of 12 tube stations per borough in the north, compared to an average of just three per borough south of the river.
South
Great if...
You’re on a tighter budget
South London has some of the cheapest places to live in London. In the Croydon/Mitcham area, we have properties to rent starting at around £850 a month and most of the properties featured in our recent article on Affordable Homes to Rent in London under £1,300 are located south of the river.
Read more about the cheapest rent in London here.
You want parkland on your doorstep
South London has more green space than any other part of London. While Hampstead Heath in the north is pretty big and Richmond Park in the west holds the title as London’s largest park, you’re more likely to have parkland or at least some grassy space on the doorstep of your south London home.
You need an escape route to the coast
Did you know you can travel door-to-door from Clapham Junction to Brighton in less than an hour by train? As a south London resident, you might find yourself popping down to the coast every now and then just because it’s so cheap and easy. And this route also stops at Gatwick Airport, for quick European getaways.
East
Great if...
You love the hustle and bustle of the city
Unlike west London, which is a little more leafy and quiet, many parts of east London have a busy city vibe owing to the area’s industrial past. This makes east London the perfect place for renters in search of a residential area with an urban feel. You’re also never too far from a range of restaurants, shops and cafes open late and selling foods from around the world.
You want to try before you buy
London’s lowest average property prices can be found in east London in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, which are currently at an average of £293,034*. Areas in east London, such as Barking and Newham, are great for those with a first-time buyer budget and it’s possible to rent here and subsequently buy with a budget at the lower end of London’s property market.
You don’t like going out in central London
Over the past 10 years, Shoreditch has become one of London’s most popular nightspots, with restaurants, bars and clubs on every corner. No longer do you have to brave Piccadilly and Leicester Square for a night out with your mates – you’ll only have to travel as far as the Shoreditch/Old Street area to find your nearest dancefloor.
West
Great if...
You’re looking for a peaceful, safe area
There are a number of sought-after areas in west London, such as Richmond and Chiswick, that are well known for their quieter, family appeal. While residents will find everything they need in the vicinity, from supermarkets to restaurants to pubs, there are many family-friendly roads that offer a pocket of peace and quiet in the capital.
You travel abroad for work a lot
Heathrow Airport is the third largest airport in the world, so wouldn’t it be handy for those who have to travel abroad for work to be just a short underground journey away? Heathrow is only 24 minutes from Acton on the Piccadilly line and 31 minutes from Hammersmith, where there is access to three different tube lines.
You can’t bear shopping on Oxford Street
Traipsing up and down Oxford Street can take it out of you, which is why shopping centres like Westfield London have become popular destinations for the lazy shoppers amongst us. You’ll find most things you need under one roof and following a recent extension, Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush is now the largest shopping centre in Europe.
*as of January 2018
