Vibrant, connected, relaxing, stimulating, beautiful, surprising. Life in North London is a kaleidoscopic experience: defining it in one-dimensional terms would be a real injustice. Sprawling north of central London’s famous attractions are a vast array of immensely appealing urban villages, where eclectic communities live in desirable neighbourhoods which are richly diverse.
The Best Areas to Live in North London
Its deeply cosmopolitan nature is reflected everywhere you go: people, architecture, shops, restaurants, entertainment, schools, events, facilities. The list goes on and the effect is stunning. They say variety is the spice of life. North London shows it is richly enhanced by it.
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HAMPSTEAD
North London is wonderfully blessed with beautiful green spaces, and Hampstead Heath is the jewel in the crown: 320 hectares of stunning parkland, with majestic views towards the iconic central London skyline. Even though the Heath is immensely popular – with dog walkers and runners aplenty – such is its vast size, there is always a sense of serenity and calm. Hampstead village itself is equally picturesque – thanks to its timeless beauty, the whole area has inspired famous artists, poets and thinkers for centuries. Properties in the area are genuinely sumptuous, with plenty of old Edwardian and Georgian houses (and plush apartments). Local highlights include strikingly traditional English pubs, independent bookstores, artisan coffee shops, and the thriving Hampstead Community Market. If you can tear yourself away from Hampstead, its prime location in north London means you can be in central London in 15 minutes with excellent national/ international transport links.
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CAMDEN
Camden is world famous for the vivid social scene at its epicentre, with cutting edge live music events and uniquely eclectic markets attracting visitors from all over the world, mixing with the energetic young professionals who call London their home. But its appeal runs much deeper, and as a residential area itself, it has much to offer – excellent facilities, architectural grandeur, and superb transport links. The broad range of attractive properties include huge townhouses and chic apartments – suitable for a range of budgets. The recently refurbished and continually-evolving Regent’s Canal runs right through Camden – many people walk along it for a short hop to London Zoo, and the wider majesty of Regent’s Park.
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MUSWELL HILL
Full of character and charm, Muswell Hill is another north London enclave with personal qualities all of its own – especially as a place in which the juxtaposition of vibrant village life contrasts perfectly with the hectic bustle of the nearby city. This is perfectly encapsulated with the steady peacefulness of Muswell Hill village and the gorgeous views of that bustling city in the distance. From Alexandra Park, London is a picture. It also boasts a legendary live events venue – Alexandra Palace – and a pretty boating lake, a thriving farmers’ market and wonderful exercise spaces. Once again, the abundance of green space brings a variety of riches to the residents of a north London community. The housing market is as competitive as you would expect with wide streets adorned with wonderfully kept Victorian and Edwardian period properties. There is a glut of delicious eateries and cafes and though Muswell Hill is one of those rare areas that isn’t directly connected to the tube or train network, it is well serviced by buses. A commute into the city is not particularly strenuous.
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ISLINGTON
Where north London meets east; Islington is a captivating concoction of urban centres and neighbourhoods, all of which blend together to create an area of rich attraction. Cutting through ‘Angel’, Upper Street and the surrounding roads are a hive of activities – booming business hubs, upmarket independent cinemas, cobbled passageways groaning with cute antique markets and delectable coffee shops. Barnsbury and Canonbury are more serene and community-driven, highly sought-after residential areas where ornate Victorian and Georgian houses are served by quaint little squares, public gardens, and brunch hotspots. More desirable than ever, some parts of Islington greatly benefited from the improved infrastructure brought about by the 2012 Olympics – the transport links are excellent and, much like the property in the area, there is great choice. Schools are among the best in London. Islington is many things to many people: families, couples, young professionals.
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HIGHGATE
Elegant and leafy Highgate is and always has been a go-to place to live for many of the rich and famous that choose to live in England’s capital city. With a large range of eye-catching Georgian and Victorian properties – imposing facades, intricate details, perfectly chiselled stonework – and a healthy array of immaculately built and designed new-builds – it’s an affluent and in-demand area: a calm oasis to luxuriate in. Perched attractively on a hill, hence the name Highgate – it sums up the best of north London residential villages: history meets modernity, the best of the old with the best of the new. Family-run businesses enhance the handsome high street, and add to the strong community feel, and there are a number of classic pubs and pristine restaurants to socialise in. Yes, Highgate Cemetery is a burial ground, but as its Grade I listing status indicates, it’s of great historical importance – visitors respectfully come here throughout the year, taking in its winding paths and ancient trees, soaking up the reflective atmosphere in all seasons. Highgate also has its own Tube station, so even if it’s a little further away, Leicester Square is just 15 minutes away on the Northern Line, and you can get to Bank station in 20 minutes.
North London is a residential treasure chest: take your pick. If work beckons in the City Of London or the West End, no problem. You’re on the doorstep. What is striking is that despite being home to millions of people, much of the northern sprawl of England’s incredible capital city still retains a genuine village feel to its neighborhoods. One minute you might be enjoying a coffee and people-watching along a vibrant, highly stimulating high street; the next minute you could be sitting under the shade of an ancient tree in a secluded village square. The only difficulty is where to choose to rest your hat on a more permanent basis.
