The best place to live in London has been revealed.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, transport, and broadband to culture, green spaces, and the health of the high street.
They look to celebrate improving towns, villages or city centres, attractive, well-designed homes, and locations bursting with community spirit – which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.
Best Places to Live in London:
Six London locations made it into the 2022 edition of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live list, with Crystal Palace taking the crown.
The borough was praised by the Sunday Times for its "community spirit and a fascinating history"
They said: " While the mix of green spaces, pretty Victorian streets and chichi shopping and dining isn’t unique, Crystal Palace has a welcome urban edge, too – as well as community spirit and a fascinating history."
Plus Crystal Palace has had a growth of 17% since 2020 and has an average house price of just £587,000.
Close behind the winner was "London's last hidden gem" Hanwell that's described by Sunday Times as: "is perfectly placed to take advantage of the overdue opening of the Elizabeth Line.
"The community works hard – with the Hanwell Big Local project offering everything from Christmas craft workshops to women’s boxing – and plays hard, especially at the free Hanwell Hootie."
King's Cross also made the list with its convenient location and stylish aesthetics and has an average house price of £655,000.
The Southwest suburb of New Malden makes a new addition to the list with its "large, vibrant Korean community" making this "solid southwest London suburb both a feast for the tastebuds and a place of pilgrimage for fans of Squid Game and BTS."
Plus New Malden even has the house hunters' boxes ticked with good state schools and period houses and an average house price of £664,000.
Last year's winner Teddington was beaten but still makes the list with its "gorgeous green spaces, dreamy Thames-side towpaths and vibrant high street."
Taken the last spot on the list is Victoria Park which "offers easy access to the happening ’hoods, but its family-friendly blend of glorious green space, independent shops and pubs, strong state schools, and yellow-brick period homes would stand out anywhere."
An average house price for each location has been supplied by Halifax, the sponsor of the guide, and up-to-date information on broadband speeds has been provided by Thinkbroadband.com, the UK’s leading independent guide to broadband.
The comprehensive guide, which includes 70 locations, is released online today and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday.
Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place.
“For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling. Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people?
“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island.
“We hope there is something to suit everyone.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel