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 these rankings based on?
HomeViews constantly collects reviews of new property developments in the UK, with residents rating every aspect of their home. Factors being rated range from the home’s location, to the quality of its facilities, its management team, and, of course, its overall value for money.
For this list, we’ve focused on the location aspect. Your home’s location is always a critical factor, as it determines what you can access easily. Are public transport links a priority? Or is it the local schools, shops and cultural scene that interests you more. Whatever you’re seeking, you’ve got to find the right location for it.
The following top 10 list covers the best places to live in London in terms of their location-based scores from verified reviewers. We compiled location ratings from over 6,300 reviews gathered between July 2022 and June 2023 to find the top 10 best London boroughs to live in.
10 best places to live in London
A quick note before we start. Data from our Location Ratings Report 2023 shows that London just sneaked into the top 10 GB regions, placing at number 10. The average location rating given by reviewers living in London was a respectable 4.35 out of 5. Nearby regions only did slightly better – 4.43 on average for the East of England, and 4.44 for South East England. Scotland is currently still at the top of the table, with an enviable average of 4.71.
For now, London is still a highly desirable place to live when it comes to finding ideal locations that suit all manner of budgets and priorities. For a more detailed look, let’s dive into the different boroughs and see which ones come out on top.
1. Islington
Continuing its climb in recent years, Islington is now the top-rated London borough for location scores, hitting 4.55 out of 5. 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.
Location rating:
4.55 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
2. Hillingdon
Close on the heels of Islington with a score of 4.53 is Hillingdon. It’s not surprising that the largest and westernmost borough in West London maintains consistently high location scores, as it enjoys excellent transport links into central London and out into the greener delights of the home counties. Its towns of Hayes, Uxbridge and Ruislip are all solid performers and it doesn’t hurt to have Heathrow Airport on its doorstep.
Location rating:
4.53 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
3. Waltham Forest
Located in North East London, Waltham Forest is our third highest-rated London location, with an average rating of 4.51 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.
Location rating:
4.51 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
4. Newham
Climbing from 17th in 2022 all the way up to 4th position is Newham, a small inner East London borough that continues to attract new residents along with top location marks due to its fast pace of life, highly diverse culture and dynamic plans for building an even better future. With urban regeneration projects aplenty and consistently popular areas such as Stratford and Canning Town, Newham has a lot to offer.
Location rating:
4.51 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
5. Barnet
At number 5 (with a score of 4.48) it’s another high climber, as Barnet was ranked 28th in 2022. Barnet sits on the Northern outskirts of London, but it’s still incredibly well connected by bus, rail and underground. Other location-based benefits include excellent schooling options at the primary and secondary levels, great shopping and nightlife, and a culinary culture to die for.
Location rating:
4.48 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
6. Tower Hamlets
Sitting on the north bank of the Thames, Tower Hamlets is our 6th top-rated borough for location, with an average review score of 4.45. While the borough has ongoing issues to tackle, it’s an up and comer with plenty to offer all manner of renters and buyers. It’s also home to the invariably popular Canary Wharf, an area that routinely gets perfect or near-perfect location scores from reviewers thanks to its gorgeous views, outstanding new property developments and unbeatable transport links.
Location rating:
4.45 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
7. Wandsworth
Next up at number 7, the South West borough of Wandsworth has a locational average score of 4.43. One of the reasons it’s so beloved is that it has a wide range of community “hubs”, each with its own green spaces and general vibe. Clapham is a perennial favourite location, given its trendy, relaxed and green living credentials. Tooting is more bustling and diverse, with plenty of character and charm. This is just the tip of the iceberg with this fascinating borough.
Location rating:
4.43 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
8. Southwark
Southwark achieved an average score of 4.42, nipping at Wandsworth’s heels! Southwark sits on the River Thames and offers some of the best attractions in the capital, ranging from Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern, not to mention the gorgeous gastronomical experience that is Borough Market.
Location rating:
4.42 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
9. Croydon
Croydon has a score of 4.34 out of 5, and finds itself in 9th place on our list. 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.
Location rating:
4.34 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
10. Haringey
We round off the top 10 with another North London borough, Haringey, with a score of 4.32. It’s an area of contrasts, with its western areas incorporating some of the wealthiest postcodes in the country, as well as other areas in need of investment and improvement. It’s an excellent spot for boutique shops and cafés, particularly if you head down to Finsbury Park, Seven Sisters, Blackstock or Stroud Green.
Location rating:
4.32 out of 5
Average property price:
Average rent:
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.
Alternatively, 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.
Islington: London’s best-rated location
New build residents gave Islington developments an average location score of 4.55 out of 5. If compared to the regions of the UK, this would place Bromley around sixth place overall, between South West England and Yorkshire and the Humber. This ever-popular central borough offers the best of both worlds. It’s extremely well-connected by rail and road, while it maintains the feel and community spirit of a self-contained town.
Islington’s highest-rated new property developments
Islington’s new build property developments are adding a little something extra to this already popular location. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy in Islington, there are various new buildings and developments to choose from. Take a look at some of the best-rated new homes in Islington below:
London’s lowest-rated location
Barking and Dagenham takes the dubious honour of being voted the worst London location by reviewers on HomeViews. Developments in this sprawling East London borough were rated, on, average, 3.82 out of 5 by residents. This could be testament to the specific location of the new build developments in the area. Otherwise, Barking and Dagenham is a well-connected community on the outskirts of London with prices way below the average for the capital (£400,657 for the 12 months to June 2024).
What are London property prices like?
As of June 2024, the average price of a property in London is just over £762,000. This is based on data from Rightmove from sales over the past 12 months, and prices vary across the city.
Islington, London’s highest-rated location according to reviewers on HomeViews, averages a price of £846,896, though you can find flats in the area for an average of £637,000. Second-placed Hillingdon is well below the average for London, at around £541,000.
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 is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
