Looking for a London neighbourhood guide? Here’s my personalised guide to London neighbourhoods and the best places to live in the city—from a Londoner.

This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more information.

When I first moved to London as a student in 2016, I was in the dark.

How does the tube work?

How will I save money?

What do I pack?!

But above all, it was…where do I live?

Fast-forward 10+ years and I’ve now lived in flats across North, East, Central and South West London, rented solo, lived in a house share, and with a partner, and spent way too many weekends exploring every corner of the city.

So if you’re looking for a Londoner’s take on London neighbourhoods, keep reading.

With surprisingly little information on how London neighbourhoods work, I thought it best to write up this London neighbourhood guide for you to decide where to live in London like a pro.

My credentials? Well, with my 10 years here and an insatiable knack for exploring every corner of the city, I have a pretty good understanding of all the boroughs and neighbourhoods London has to offer.

I’ve also written about and visited every neighbourhood in London (yes, really) and created London Explorer Guides with 50+ itineraries across Central, East, North, South and West London.

With that said, always keep in mind where you live is a highly personal choice. What I may describe as the perfect neighbourhood for me might not meet your fancy. And that’s totally okay.

Shall we?

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

London Neighbourhood Map 

A-Z London Neighbourhood Guides

Remember how I said I’ve written about every neighbourhood in London? To get a feel for different London neighbourhoods, be sure to have a look through my ‘Things to Do’ guides for some inspiration (or my Where to Stay in London Guide instead if you’re visiting as a tourist).

These guides are more day-out focused than moving focused, but they’re a great way to see what each area actually feels like before narrowing down where you’d want to live in London.

Central London

• Belgravia
• Bloomsbury
• City of London
• Chinatown
• Clerkenwell
• Covent Garden
• Fitzrovia
• Holborn
• Knightsbridge
• Marylebone
• Mayfair
• Pimlico
• Soho
• South Bank
• Regent’s Park

West London

• Chelsea
• Chiswick
• Earl’s Court
• Fulham
• Hammersmith
• Kensington
• Ladbroke Grove
• Little Venice
• Notting Hill
• Paddington
• Shepherd’s Bush

North London

• Belsize Park
• Camden
• Hampstead
• Highgate
• Islington
• King’s Cross
• Maida Vale
• Muswell Hill
• Primrose Hill

South & South West London

• Battersea
• Balham
• Barnes
• Bermondsey
• Brixton
• Clapham
• Dulwich
• Elephant & Castle
• Kew Village
• Kennington
• Kingston upon Thames
• Little Venice
• London Bridge Area
• Nunhead
• Peckham
• Putney
• Richmond
• Stockwell
• Teddington

East & South East London

• Blackheath
• Bethnal Green
• Brick Lane
• Canary Wharf
• Dalston
• Greenwich
• Isle of Dogs
• Lewisham
• Hackney
• Hackney Wick
• Shoreditch
• Stratford

London Neighbourhood Guide: Boroughs vs Neighbourhoods 

The first thing to note is London is broken up into 32 boroughs. This makes up what we call Greater London.

Within those 32 boroughs, there are roughly 48 neighbourhoods, as some straddle between two boroughs (take Bethnal Green, for example).

Each neighbourhood truly has its own personality which is what makes living in London so unique.

But it also adds heaps of indecisiveness to choosing which neighbourhood is right for you. So, let’s break it down to help you make the best decision!

What London Zone Should You Live In?

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing where to live in London is zones.

If you’re new to London, the city’s transport system is split into zones, with Zone 1 being the most central and the numbers going outwards from there.

A lot of people assume they need to live in Zone 1 or Zone 2 to have the “real” London experience, but I honestly wouldn’t think about it that way.

Zone 1 is great if you want to be in the middle of everything, but it’s also usually more expensive, busier and not always the most relaxing place to live.

Zone 2 and Zone 3 are where a lot of Londoners find that sweet spot: still connected, but with more of a neighbourhood feel (I recommend living in Zone 2 if you’re new to London).

Depending on your lifestyle, Zone 4, 5 or even further out can make total sense too—especially if you’re buying or just want more space, green areas, a calmer pace. Not to mention, better value for money.

The main thing is not the zone itself, but how well-connected your area is for your actual life.

A Zone 3 neighbourhood with a direct train to your work can be much easier than a Zone 2 area that takes three changes.

Read More: How to Get Around London: Your Ultimate Transport Guide

So before ruling anywhere out, check:

• how long it takes to get to work, university or your usual plans
• whether you’re near the Tube, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line, National Rail or a good bus route
• how often the trains run
• how late you can get home
• whether the extra travel cost is worth the rent saving
• whether the neighbourhood still gives you the London life you actually want

London Neighbourhood Guide: Factors to Consider

Before you start looking into London neighbourhoods you need to consider a few things. This includes…

Your Budget

Because Notting Hill cafés are a lot different from Notting Hill rent prices. Always have a budget as you’re searching different neighbourhoods and make sure you stick to it.

A lot of Londoners spend a huge chunk of their income on rent, so the more you can save on housing, the better. As that money can easily go towards other expenses (like travel, or…travel).

Read More: 27 Effortless Ways to Save Money in London

Your Commute

Along with your budget, your commute is one of the biggest things to think about before choosing a London neighbourhood.

Check the full journey from your potential flat to work, university or wherever you’ll be going most often. This means the walk to the station, the actual train or bus journey, any changes, and the walk at the other end.

A neighbourhood can look close on Google Maps (or my preferred Citymapper) and still feel like a mission once you’re doing it every day.

Make sure you’re within close proximity to your job or university so you don’t spend half of your time in London avoiding eye contact on the underground.

Or at the very least, make sure your love for the neighbourhood trumps the commute.

Your Support System

This one might not be the first thing you think about, but if you already know people in London, it’s worth considering where they live too.

London is amazing, but it can feel big when you first arrive. Being near friends, family, classmates or even people you’d realistically meet up with after work can make settling in so much easier.

Of course, don’t choose an area you hate just because someone you know lives there. But if you’re stuck between two neighbourhoods and one puts you closer to your people, I’d definitely factor that in.

Read More: How to Make Friends in London

Your Transport Links

For example, if you live in Barnes, you’d get around by train vs. Tube.

A lot of people get obsessed with living near the Tube, but the Tube isn’t the only way to get around London. Depending on where you live, the Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line, National Rail or even a good bus route can be just as useful.

Your Personality and Lifestyle

The last thing you’ll want to think about is lifestyle. What London experience do you want? Partying until the late hours of the night or rolling out of bed to your nearest local bookshop?

Some areas are definitely more lively than others (which I’ll lay out for you soon) so it’s important you factor this in when picking a London neighbourhood.

For students, it’s simple. If you want the student experience, choose halls. If you want the London experience, find a flat. Going from living in dorms to working and getting my Masters in a house share were two completely different experiences. Not one better than the other, but different. So choose wisely.

Your Everyday London Life

It’s easy to choose a neighbourhood based on what looks cute for a Saturday afternoon. But when you’re actually living in London, you’ll want to think about your average Tuesday too.

Where will you get groceries? Is there a gym nearby? Do you care about green space? Do you want local pubs and cafés? Are you happy somewhere quiet, or will you feel isolated if there’s not much going on?

Some London neighbourhoods are gorgeous to visit, but not always practical to live in. Others might not be the most famous, but they make everyday life feel easy. That’s the sweet spot.

Moving to London? Get My London Explorer Itineraries for Your Move!

With 50+ itineraries across Central, North, West, East and South London to explore the city better from the moment you land.

Best London Neighbourhoods at a Glance

If you’re still in the “please just tell me where to start” stage, here’s a quick breakdown of some of the best London neighbourhoods to consider, depending on what you’re looking for

P.S. – You can explore each in the neighbourhood articles above.

Of course, this is just a starting point. The best neighbourhood in London for you will depend on your budget, commute, lifestyle and what kind of London experience you actually want day-to-day.

Best London Neighbourhoods for First-Timers Moving to London

If you’re moving to London for the first time, I’d usually suggest starting with neighbourhoods that are well-connected, social and easy to settle into.

That doesn’t mean you need to live in the middle of Central London. In fact, I usually wouldn’t recommend that unless your budget allows and you really want that lifestyle.

For most first-timers, the best areas are the ones that make London feel exciting while having everything you need for a great day-to-day life.

Best London Neighbourhoods for Iconic London: Most Beautiful Neighbourhoods in London to Live

If budget isn’t an option, you may want to live in one of London’s most iconic or more well-known neighbourhoods.

Of course, this experience usually comes with a heavier price tag. These are some of the most beautiful places to live in London, but they’re also some of the areas where your budget will have to work a lot harder (in the case of Hampstead where I used to live, it is very much worth it).

If I had to sum it up, I’d say Hampstead and Richmond are for green, village-feel London; Marylebone is for elegant central London; Notting Hill is for colourful west London charm; and Chelsea is for polished, classic west London.

Some London Neighbourhoods Are Better to Visit Than Live In

A sunny day in Soho

One thing I wish more people understood before moving to London is that some neighbourhoods are amazing to visit, but not always where you’d want to live.

Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair and Westminster are perfect for theatres, restaurants, shopping, Buckingham Palace, markets and that classic “I’m in London!” feeling. But for most people, they’re also expensive, busy and not exactly calm places to come home to every day.

That doesn’t mean you can’t live there if your budget allows and you love being in the middle of everything. But if you’re choosing where to rent, it’s worth asking yourself whether you want to live in the London you visit on a weekend—or the London that makes your everyday life easier.

P.S. – If you’re reading this because you’re visiting London rather than moving, I’d start with my full Where to Stay in London Guide instead.

Where I Lived in London

Before I wrap this up, I thought it’d be helpful to share where I’ve actually lived in London over the years.

I won’t be sharing exactly where I live now for obvious reasons, but I will say I’m very happy in my current corner of South West London, in a neighbourhood along the river that I love.

Before that, I lived in the Isle of Dogs, Greenwich, Camden/Mornington Crescent and Hampstead—so a good mix of East, South East, North, Central-ish and South West London living over the years.

Honestly I’d recommend each of them for different reasons.

Isle of Dogs was lovely for riverside walks and easy access to Canary Wharf and Greenwich. Greenwich felt like living in village-like London with history, green space and the river. Camden/Mornington Crescent was brilliant for feeling close to everything, but very chaotic and busy (albeit you’re just a short walk from Regent’s Park). And living in Hampstead was and is always a dream.

Now, South West London gives me a different version of the city—it’s calmer, more residential but still full of things to do with a pace that suits my lifestyle now.

All that to say I’m always wary of telling anyone there’s one “best” place to live in London. The best neighbourhood depends on your budget, commute, lifestyle and what kind of London life you’re trying to build.

Final Thoughts on Choosing a London Neighbourhood

At the end of the day, choosing where to live in London is incredibly personal.

You can read every London neighbourhood guide on the internet, compare every “best places to live in London” list and ask every Londoner you know where they’d move—but your perfect neighbourhood will always come down to your actual life.

With that said, I’d use this guide and my individual neighbourhood guides as a starting point, not a final answer.

Pick a few neighbourhoods that sound like you, visit them in person, walk around, test the commute, get a feel for the high street, check what your everyday life would actually look like there, then have a pop on London’s property sites and narrow it down from there.

Because the best London neighbourhood isn’t the one everyone else says is perfect. It’s the one that makes you feel like London’s become your home.

And soon, it will be!

Thanks for reading my London Neighbourhood guide. If you found it helpful, let me know on Instagram!

Looking for More? Check Out My Moving to London Resources & Guides:

🏡 Across the Pond: An Expat’s Guide to Moving & Living in London

🏡 Renting in London Guide

Check out more Moving to london Guides

• How to Move to London from the US
• How to Get a Job in London as an American: A Complete Guide
• What to do Your First Month in London (from a London Expat)
• Your Ultimate London Neighborhood Guide (Where to Live in London + Map!)
• 10 Must-Know Tips for Living in London as an American
• Best Places to Live in London in Your 20’s
• 10 Things to Know Before Moving to London

Happy Londoning,