If you are a young professional moving to London and looking for a contemporary and lively place to live, there are plenty of up and coming areas that will be right up your street. Here are six stylish places to consider when moving to the capital to work and experience a unique pace of life.
Camden
As one of the more notorious suburbs in North West London, Camden Town regularly attracts young professionals looking to live in the area with its bustling markets, swanky restaurants and lively pubs and clubs. With an extensive live music scene, Camden maintains a young and vibrant atmosphere. Its local pubs also offer something for the more discerning drinker as well as the more raucous establishments.
Camden Market is a London hotspot for those who enjoy shopping with independents and is said to be the fourth most popular tourist attraction in the capital. Its bohemian vibe means it is very chilled out and relaxed, and the street food is a must-try.
Camden also boasts fantastic transport links around the city with its tube station on the Northern line as well as SilverLink trains which call at Camden Road train station. Many bus routes also operate a 24-hour service including: 24, 27, 29, 31, 46, 88, 134, 168, 214, 253, 274, C2, making Camden popular for those living and commuting in London.
If you are considering Camden Town as your new home, our London guide to Camden offers advice and tips about buying a property and living in the area.
Visit: Camden Council and Visit London
Shoreditch
An area of East London that has fast become the epicentre of all things creative and technical, Shoreditch is a region full of character and tradition – with critics labelling it the ‘new Soho’ thanks to its huge selection of vintage shops, independent boutiques and varied nightlife. Formerly a light industrial and textile-influenced centre, Shoreditch has retained much of its urban culture having been neglected by town planners in the 60s and 70s. Subsequently it is a borough brimful of interesting buildings, walkways and markets.
It is also a very multicultural region, with a large Bangladeshi and South Asian contingent. Their influence lives on in Brick Lane, regarded as London’s ‘curry mile’ and is one of the highlights of any tourist trip to the capital.
Shoreditch and nearby Hoxton retain that industrial edge with a vibrant entertainment scene. However, those who wish to make the most of Shoreditch’s nightlife but prefer to live in greener surroundings may wish to look at living in other London boroughs such as Islington and Bow.
For more information about buying a home in London and living in Shoreditch, take a look at our London area guide to Shoreditch.
Visit: Hackney Council
Clapham
Clapham is a large area of South London that has become synonymous with young professionals in recent years. Clapham Old Town and Clapham High Street offers an enviable array of fashionable bars, boutiques, restaurants and retail outlets within the proximity of the Northern line on the London Underground.
Clapham is a bustling urban area with over 220 acres of greenery known as Clapham Common. With a plethora of bars, restaurants and even its own summer music festival, Clapham Common is one of the most visited open spaces in South London and is popular with both young professionals and families alike.
Bear in mind that flat and house prices in Clapham can put some first-time London residents off. Expect to pay around £300 per week for a decent one-bed rented property. However, house sharing remains a common alternative for those wishing to live in London, and rooms can be rented for under £100 per week. If you are moving to London, you may need quotes from removal companies within central London to help get you on your feet.
Visit: Lambeth Council and Love Clapham
Islington
This inner-city district of London spans from Islington High Street all the way across to Highbury Fields and has recently become an area in-demand with city professionals and young families looking to live in London. Its relatively central location to the city – in zone 2 on the London Underground – which results in cheaper travel into the city centre, but its many residential areas also give it a more rural suburban feel.
Islington’s transport links are second-to-none in the capital. Wherever you find yourself in the borough you are within a brisk walk of a tube stop on the Piccadilly, Victoria and Northern lines, as well as a more bus routes than you can shake a proverbial stick at. The borough offers a great selection of eateries, pubs and bars at both ends of the budget spectrum, as well as a popular Farmers’ Market – the perfect place to get a taste of some sumptuous artisan foods.
The borough is also crammed full of places to see and things to do with a varied cultural scene including music gigs, comedy gigs, plays and fringe theatre productions. Islington Academy is a one-stop shop for nightlife and with two multiplex cinemas within walking distance, there is little reason for residents to venture elsewhere.
Visit: Islington Council and Time Out
Camberwell
Not only is the South East London borough of Camberwell home to arguably the prettiest street in the capital, Camberwell Grove, it is also home to a stylish and contemporary demographic buoyed by its booming art market. With a growing local population of students and artisans in close proximity to Camberwell’s College of Arts, Goldsmiths College and the nearby South London Gallery, its living centre is home to a great selection of young professionals and has quickly become one of the most stylish places to live in London.
Housing in Camberwell is widely regarded as being cheaper than comparable up-and-coming areas such as Shoreditch and Hackney, and is subsequently an ideal substitute for people looking for a thriving cultural scene on a mid to low-range budget. In terms of properties, Camberwell boasts a wonderful array of elegant Georgian houses which carve a uniquely British urban landscape.
In terms of nightlife and entertainment, Camberwell’s reputation is most certainly on the rise. A number of charming homely pubs adorn the Denmark Hill area, while trendier, lively bars line Camberwell Church Street. Many of these establishments operate late licences and offer regular club nights at weekends. Camberwell’s Denmark Hill railway station is regularly served by London Overground and Southeastern lines, connecting the area to Victoria, London Bridge, St Pancras and Blackfriars from within Zone 2.
Camberwell is also home to two of London’s major hospitals – King’s College and the Maudsley.
Visit: Southwark Council and South London Guide
Brixton
Brixton is an area that often has a bad reputation in the eyes of many. However, delve a little deeper and you will find the South London region has plenty going for it, with many regarding it as one of the most popular places to live in London. Most notably for newcomers to the capital, Brixton boasts a range of incredibly affordable housing options. The area is fast attracting a new generation of young and affluent fashion-conscious professionals to add to its already cosmopolitan demographic.
Although the area has cleaned up its act significantly in recent years there is no escaping its gritty culture, which only serves to add to the lively and eclectic nature of Brixton as a residential area. Brixton now boasts a thriving creative arts scene and its plethora of pubs, clubs and restaurants also ensures an enjoyable nightlife. Brixton Academy is home to some of the best live music gigs in the area and often hosts many of the world’s best acts.
Brixton also houses the biggest and best undercover market in London. It is a fantastic place to visit for world foods, fabrics and music too. The Ritzy Cinema is one of England’s first purpose-built cinemas dating back to 1910 and its beautiful art deco surroundings make it a very popular entertainment venue.
It should also be noted that as of September 18 2009, Brixton launched its own currency, the Brixton Pound, as an alternative to the pound sterling. Residents can pay using paper currency and electronically via text message.
Take a moment to read our handy guide on home removals in London to help you find the best firm for your moving requirements in the big smoke.
Image: derivadow (flickr)
Last Reviewed November 2016