Wondering where the best areas to move to in north London are? We’ve got you covered. From leafy Hampstead to lively Camden, explore what each neighbourhood offers, from community feel to transport links. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, or historic charm, our guide will help you find the perfect spot. Discover the unique features, amenities, and housing options that make each area special.
Key Takeaways
- Hampstead offers a picturesque village-like atmosphere with excellent transport links, making it ideal for families and professionals; it features significant green spaces and high-end properties with old-world charm.
- Camden is a vibrant and trendy area known for its lively markets, music scene, and eclectic mix of properties; it is particularly popular among young professionals for its robust nightlife and easy access to central London.
- Highgate combines historic Georgian architecture with modern amenities and excellent schools, providing a peaceful village-like community with convenient commuting options to central London.
Hampstead: The Picturesque Retreat
Hampstead offers:
- A village-like atmosphere with a friendly community
- Great transport connections to central London
- Picture-perfect surroundings featuring parks, gardens, and a vibrant local scene
- A desirable location for families and professionals alike
- High-end and significantly large properties, including Georgian and Edwardian houses, adding to its old-world charm.
Hampstead Heath, one of the area’s major attractions, offers a vast green space for residents to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. The area is dotted with trendy independent bookshops, cafes, and traditional local pubs and bars, creating a lively yet quaint environment. The Hampstead Garden Suburb offers a quiet residential atmosphere with leafy streets and is in close proximity to Hampstead Heath, enhancing the village-like feel.
Hampstead provides straightforward commuting, with Euston station reachable within 15 minutes on the Northern Line. The area is well-served by public transport, including a tube station on the Jubilee Line and an overground station served by Thameslink trains, ensuring excellent connectivity. For those who appreciate a blend of urban convenience and serene green spaces, Hampstead is a perfect choice.
Camden: Vibrant and Trendy
Famed for its dynamic markets, vibrant music scene, and diverse properties, Camden is an ideal location for young professionals seeking a bustling lifestyle. The area is served by Camden Town station serving excellent transport links to the rest of London. Camden’s lively high street is brimming with fun shops, eclectic markets, and a thriving nightlife, offering a taste of the true city life.
Housing options in Camden vary, from charming Victorian townhouses to sleek modern apartments, catering to a diverse range of residents. Its convenient location in Zone 2, combined with well-connected transportation options, makes it a popular choice for those looking for easy access to central London. Residents enjoy proximity to Regent’s Park and the various entertainment options that Camden has to offer.
Camden’s rich musical heritage is another highlight, with famous musicians and venues like the Roundhouse, Electric Ballroom, and KOKO contributing to its vibrant cultural scene. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or simply enjoy a lively social setting, Camden’s unique blend of history and modernity makes it a compelling place to call home.
Highgate: Historic Charm
Highgate combines historic architecture with modern amenities, offering a peaceful village-like community with easy access to central London. The area is known for its Georgian architecture and panoramic views over London, particularly from Southwood Lawn Road, which is popular for its stunning vistas and large period homes.
The neighbourhood features leafy streets, family-run businesses, and renowned educational institutions like Highgate School and Channing School. Quick access to central London via the Northern Line makes Highgate a convenient location for commuters. Despite the high housing prices, the elegant houses, beautiful views, and parks make Highgate a charming and desirable place to live.
Finsbury Park: The Green Hub
Finsbury Park is a green hub with extensive green spaces, sporting facilities, and modern flats, making it ideal for young families and active adults. The park itself is open 24 hours a day and accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring inclusivity for all residents. With accessible parking spaces and the SEND multisport sessions, Finsbury Park encourages participation from people who are less active.
The area offers:
- Free multisport and cycling sessions for residents
- Events like the Wireless Festival and the Magical Sky Festival
- Trendy eateries, bars, and a park ideal for walking, running, or attending events
- The Laboratory Spa & Health Club, which features a freshwater pool and flexible membership options
Finsbury Park offers a thriving social scene and a range of activities to enhance your lifestyle.
Finsbury Park boasts superior transport links, featuring several train stations and efficient bus routes, providing easy access to central London and surrounding areas. For those who enjoy an active lifestyle with plenty of green space, Finsbury Park is a perfect choice.
Islington: Urban Living
Islington offers urban living with a mix of Victorian and Georgian houses, trendy restaurants, and a bustling nightlife, making it popular among young professionals. The area has a vibrant atmosphere, with Upper Street being a focal point for dining and shopping. Islington boasts more eateries than there are days in the year, including:
- Delis
- Bakeries
- Gastropubs
- Modern restaurants
Residents can enjoy a diverse culinary scene with trendy cafes and gourmet restaurants, such as Laki Kane on Upper Street. The De Beauvoir Arms is a well-loved pub known for its cosy atmosphere and quality food. Cultural enthusiasts will appreciate the Almeida Theatre, which hosts a variety of new works and reimagined classics.
Living in Islington provides access to:
- a wide array of shops and restaurants on Upper Street and Camden Passage
- multiple tube, train, and Overground stations
- outdoor activities along the Regent’s Canal
- popular community events like the Angel Canal Festival
All of these add to the appeal of this dynamic neighbourhood.
Crouch End: Community Spirit
Crouch End boasts a strong community spirit, a vibrant artistic scene, and beautiful green spaces, offering a high quality of life and easy access to the city. The high street features independent boutiques, shops, and cafes, creating a welcoming and artisanal atmosphere. Highlights include various artisan bakeries, antique stores, and a locally owned cinema.
The area is rich in history, exemplified by landmarks such as the Crouch End Clock Tower, and it blends Victorian and Edwardian homes with modern developments. Throughout the year, Crouch End hosts various community events and festivals, fostering a strong sense of community. Its vibrant artistic community with numerous galleries, independent theatres, and live music venues makes Crouch End a unique and engaging place to live.
Muswell Hill: Quiet and Quaint
Muswell Hill features historic properties, boutique shops, and access to Alexandra Park, making it perfect for families seeking a peaceful lifestyle. The area offers local amenities such as Alexandra Palace, a boating lake, a farmers’ market, and Everyman Cinema. Alexandra Palace Ice Rink provides a family-friendly experience all year round, while Pitch and Putt in Alexandra Park offers stunning views of London.
Prestigious state schools such as Muswell Hill Primary, Tetherdown, and Rhodes Avenue are located in Muswell Hill, making it an attractive option for families. For renters, Victorian- and Edwardian-period properties add to the area’s charm. Toff’s, renowned for being one of the best fish and chip shops in North London, and Walter Purkis & Sons, a family-run fishmonger shop, are local favourites that enhance the quaint charm of Muswell Hill.
Swiss Cottage: Leafy and Convenient
Swiss Cottage provides a verdant and well-situated locale, complete with an array of rental apartments, lush parklands, and seamless access to central London. The area provides a combination of a suburban community vibe and a quiet environment while still being conveniently located. Housing options range from traditional townhouses to modern apartments, catering to a variety of budgets.
Residents can enjoy green spaces like Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, as well as nearby attractions such as Lord’s Cricket Ground. Swiss Cottage is well-connected by public transport with the closest tube stations being Swiss Cottage and Finchley Road, in addition to Overground trains and strong bus routes.
The Swiss Cottage Open Space features a central water element and lush planting, providing a serene environment for residents.
Kentish Town: Lively and Affordable
Kentish Town presents a dynamic, cost-effective neighbourhood featuring diverse housing options, bustling high streets, and efficient transport connections. The area features Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses as well as historic homes and a mix of pastel houses, offering diverse living options. The John Baird pub, known for its real ales, beer garden, and quiz nights, adds to the local flavour.
Kentish Town offers the following advantages:
- Proximity to Hampstead Heath, making it attractive for those who enjoy green spaces
- Good transport links, making it a convenient yet affordable option for residents
- Lower housing costs compared to Highgate and Hampstead, enhancing its appeal.
Belsize Park: Village Atmosphere
Belsize Park exudes a village ambience, accentuated by picturesque houses, quaint independent restaurants, and cosy cafes, offering a charming and slightly more affordable alternative to nearby Hampstead. The area is known for its Georgian and Victorian architecture, with many period-style buildings adding to its old-world charm.
Residents who live in north London enjoy a truly local feel, with north London’s high streets like Belsize Village, Hampstead High Street, and Finchley Road offering a range of independent shops and amenities in various north London neighbourhoods. The area is served by the Northern Line, providing easy access to central London and other key destinations.
From community swimming pools to chic spas, Belsize Park offers a variety of activities for its diverse community.
West Hampstead: Bustling Yet Residential
West Hampstead melds a vibrant high street with a homely atmosphere, creating an authentic local experience for its residents. The main high street, West End Lane, is dominated by:
- patisseries
- cafes
- independent restaurants
- popular bars like The Wet Fish Café, Lena’s Café, and The Alice House.
West Hampstead, located in North West London, boasts excellent transport links, including the Jubilee Line at West Hampstead Underground station, as well as West Hampstead Thameslink and West Hampstead Silverlink Metro stations in close proximity.
The residential appeal includes small parks like Fortune Green and The Grange, Victorian houses converted into apartments, and handsome red brick mansion blocks.
St John’s Wood: Affluent and Green
St John’s Wood is an affluent and green neighbourhood known for its high-end amenities and stunning properties. The high street, located just a short distance from the famous Bond Street, features traditional stores, fashion boutiques, and dining options, such as the JOSEPH fashion label store.
Located near Regent’s Park, residents of St John’s Wood have easy access to:
- Tennis courts
- Sports fields
- Boating lakes
- Open-air theatre performances
The area is ideal for families seeking top schools, as it is known for excellent private and state-funded schools.
Golders Green: Community and Convenience
Golders Green cultivates a robust community spirit, evidenced by friendly interactions among passersby, and the area is known for its significant Jewish community, which influences the local culture and amenities. The area features abundant green spaces like Golders Hill Park, as well as a range of independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, making it an attractive place to live.
Golders Green is well-connected with excellent transport links, including the Northern Line and various bus routes, offering convenience for commuters. Properties near Corringham and Rotherwick Road provide easy access to the Golders Green station, making it a convenient location for those who need to travel frequently.
For those seeking a community-oriented neighbourhood with plenty of green space and good transport links, Golders Green is an excellent choice.
Primrose Hill: Scenic and Stylish
Known for its grand townhouses and idyllic setting, Primrose Hill is a picturesque and stylish area. The view from the top of Primrose Hill is stunning and a major highlight of the area, drawing both residents and visitors to its beautiful landscapes. Local parks, including Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill, offer scenic views and recreational activities, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Primrose Hill’s high street offers a variety of pretty shops and great pubs, contributing to its quaint atmosphere. Fun shops and out-of-this-world food markets make it perfect for those who enjoy a vibrant high street. The pastel-coloured houses lining many streets add to its picturesque charm, making Primrose Hill one of the most sought-after areas in North London.
Archway: Up-and-Coming Area
As an emerging area, Archway features chic restaurants and independent cafes, and a convenient location on the Northern Line, perfect for young professionals. The average age of residents in Archway is approximately 33 years, reflecting its appeal to a younger demographic. The newly established square for events adds to Archway’s growing list of amenities.
Archway boasts:
- Strong transport links, with less than a 10-minute commute to Kings Cross and close proximity to Archway Station, making it an ideal location for those who value convenience.
- Close proximity to the Islington and Highgate areas, providing plenty of great entertainment options.
- A convenient location for anyone looking for leisure activities.
- An affordable yet vibrant place to live, making it a promising choice.
Summary
North London offers a variety of neighbourhoods, each with its unique charm and amenities. From the picturesque retreat of Hampstead and the vibrant, trendy Camden, to the historic charm of Highgate, every area has something special to offer. Whether you seek green spaces, a lively high street, or a strong community spirit, North London has a neighbourhood to meet your needs. Families may prefer the quiet, quaint Muswell Hill, young professionals might opt for urban living in Islington, and those who appreciate a scenic, stylish atmosphere will love Primrose Hill. Explore these diverse neighbourhoods to find your perfect home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Hampstead a desirable location for families and professionals?
Hampstead’s village-like atmosphere, picturesque surroundings, excellent transport connections, and extensive green spaces like Hampstead Heath make it a desirable location for families and professionals.
Why is Camden popular among young professionals?
Camden is popular among young professionals because of its lively markets, music scene, diverse housing options, and convenient transportation connections, offering a vibrant lifestyle.
What are the benefits of living in Highgate?
Living in Highgate offers a blend of historic charm and modern conveniences, along with breathtaking views of London and access to top-notch educational facilities. These features make it an appealing place to reside.
How does Finsbury Park appeal to young families and active adults?
Finsbury Park appeals to young families and active adults with its extensive green spaces, sporting facilities, social scene, and excellent transport links, making it an ideal location for them.
What makes Golders Green a convenient place to live?
Golders Green is a convenient place to live due to its strong community spirit, ample green spaces such as Golders Hill Park, and excellent transport links, making it convenient for commuters.
