“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” said English writer Samuel Johnson, paying pithy homage to all the city’s rich offerings. Utterly in thrall to its astonishing history, architecture, culture, and bewildering array of arts, education, and entertainment, Johnson’s words are dated 1777, an incredible, nearly 250 years ago. Even back then, London was a fine city – ever since, it has continued to bloom, almost beyond comprehension drawing in people from all over the UK and right across the globe. The majestic skyline tells a decent story: it’s a thriving, romantic, magnetic powerhouse. Beyond that bird’s eye view, it’s a sprawling behemoth of success and innovation, where old money and new money intertwine and lift each other with a seemingly endless chain of investment. London is an institution in itself, a country of its own to some degree – one of phenomenal resilience and strength, thanks to its deeply entrenched and highly productive systems of government, finance, and corporate life, allied to its creative energy and enduring beauty. In short, London is the place to be – especially for those who have or aspire to have lots of money. Home to around 100 billionaires and another 5,000 or so that are classified as super-rich – people with £20 million plus in non-housing, disposable assets – London is dotted in affluent locales, attracting a loyal following among the privileged. But where exactly do they live, and why do they live there? Here is our expert guide.
Hampstead
Easily one of the most luxurious and affluent areas in London, Hampstead is pure joy. Just a few miles north of central London, it’s a serene and secluded setting, filled with leafy streets and beautiful parks – but there is so much more than lush greenery. Its origins point to a rural village, and remarkably it retains something of that feel, despite rising to fame: most notably as a haven for intellectual and artistic life. Hampstead’s history is rather astonishing: cultural heavyweights such as Robert Louis Stevenson, H.G. Wells, George Orwell, T.S. Eliot, Agatha Christie, and Sigmund Freud all made home here, and the great and good of modern literature, music, and the arts still choose to set up home here to this day, drawn in by Hampstead’s tranquillity and bohemian atmosphere. On a practical level, Hampstead is woven into London’s unparalleled cultural infrastructure, and boasts superb NHS and private health services on its doorstep, along with top-ranking state and private schools. Housing is divine: properties here include deeply elegant Victoria, Georgian, and Regency townhouses, with a wide range of landscape-integrated modern villas and sophisticated apartment blocks. Elite boutiques, fine dining restaurants, and bijou cafes are also plentiful.
Chelsea
Down in south west London – still only a few miles from the centre of the city – Chelsea has a picturesque beauty, intellectual aura, and cultural legacy to rival that of Hampstead; plus a wealth of qualities all of its own. For one, it snakes beautifully along the River Thames – and its stunning waterfront properties and genteel garden squares have long attracted high achievers, A-list celebrities, and affluent business people. Elegant streets that are lined with sumptuous period townhouses surround the famous King's Road, where boutique shopping and fine dining is almost a daily ritual – and you’ll be hard pressed not to bump into someone you recognise from television, film, or music. For families, the area is renowned for its access to outstanding schools, and having Chelsea Football Club on the doorstep – and a world-class player in Cole Palmer – adds to the allure of the area. Cultural significance is everywhere too, there is just so much to do: art exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery, shows at the Royal Court Theatre, talks at Chelsea Old Church, and exploration of the lush Chelsea Physic Gardens.
Mayfair
Hampstead and Chelsea are downright sleepy by comparison: Mayfair is right in the heart of central London, and this prime location is right at the heart of its unparalleled appeal. Dripping with opulence and decadence, Mayfair is home to prestigious private members’ clubs, high-end art galleries, and the most exclusive designer boutiques – especially on Old Bond Street. Properties here don’t come cheap. Average house prices are nearly £3 million, while you would struggle to buy a flat for less than £2 million. Villas’, meanwhile, are usually more than £8 million; most of them have swimming pools dug out in the basement and high-end screening rooms to rival an arthouse cinema. Luxury living defines Mayfair, and the area has become a favourite to bed down in for the international elite – billionaire business owners from all over the world love the exquisite properties, the cache of being in the most exclusive zone of London, and the proximity to areas that trip off the tongue for prestige (Mayfair is bordered by Soho, Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, and Marylebone).
Richmond
Quite the contrast to Mayfair, Richmond can sometimes feel like it’s a million miles away from central London (though in reality, it's less than 10). Down in southwest London, with a vast sweep of expansive green spaces around it, Richmond is perhaps the most picturesque and historically significant area of the English capital that lies towards its outskirts – and with its breathtaking parks, deep royal connections, and a captivating cultural life of its own, Richmond has long been a desirable location, especially for those with money who want comfort away from the hustle and bustle. Long tied to the British monarchy, in 1501 Henry VII built Richmond Palace on the banks of the Thames – and it became one of the grandest royal residences during Tudor times. While it fell in disrepair and only a few remnants of the palace remain, Richmond’s reputation was solidified – not least because of Richmond Park, first created by Charles I in the 17th century and still a stunning 2,500-acre sanctuary for people (and deer). Properties are hugely appealing: wealthy Londoners love the Georgian townhouses and elegant Victorian villas, particularly by the Green. Superb train connections also mean commuters to the City (and beyond) are always well served, while the view from Richmond Hill has been celebrated in art and literature for centuries. It’s jaw-dropping.
Notting Hill
Once a relatively modest area, Notting Hill is now famous the world over: and not just because of the eponymous Hollywood movie. It’s something of a unique area, all things told. Not as serene as Hampstead, not quite as polished as Chelsea – its rare blend of discernible bohemian charm and genuine upscale living is intoxicating and magnetic; a potent cocktail that has the rich and famous flocking here in droves, and often sticking around for a long time too. With gorgeously colourful period townhouses – think pretty pastels – the always-eclectic Portobello Road street market, and beautiful communal gardens for those lucky enough to own a key, quite simply it’s a hugely sought-after address. Politicians, creatives, celebrities, entrepreneurs and business titans love living here because of its vibrant character, multicultural atmosphere, and endless facilities: highly-rated schools, incredible restaurants, the Graffik Gallery, the bijou Electric Cinema, and Holland Park. Ultimately it’s about a chic urban lifestyle, where culture and wealth collide.
Living in London is a banker. Not literally, but in metaphorical terms – and also, on an investment level – setting up home in one of the capital’s richest neighbourhoods leaves very little to chance. The charm and appeal of a wealthy London district is so powerful – so rich in cultural and historical significance, and so soaked in beauty and creative energy – that one could never tire of it. When a man is inspired by London, he is inspired by life.
