London’s Best Areas To Buy and Rent As A Young Professional

Moving into your first place is exciting – you can finally get the freedom and independence that you have been craving for the last few years! However, moving into your own place can also be nerve-wracking and well – pretty daunting. This is even more so if you are moving somewhere like London.

Whether you are moving to London for the first time from another area of the country, or you have grown up in its streets – London is intimidating. From its fast paced lifestyle and its busy trains to the myriad of shopping centres and entertainment options, London is simply a daunting city. While visiting London as a tourist is fun-filled and amazing, trying to find a house or flat to rent is simply another ball game.

Rent is expensive, space is limited and the pressure to snap up a good deal as fast as possible is enough to make even the most confident young professional quick in the knees. So what areas are best for young professionals to settle down in? Many choose the Northern side of the Thames as this is known as the younger, more hip side of town – however it can still be difficult to choose in such a broad area.

Young professionals need relatively cheap rent, close public transport options, entertainment options and also grocery stores and restaurants. It can be hard to find a place that encompasses all these things, but hopefully this blog post will outline the best areas for you to look at and therefore make the process a little easier and less time consuming for you.

Living in East London

East London is a firm favourite with young professionals, and for good reason too. When the prices picked up in West London many young creative couldn’t afford the higher prices and simply moved over to the other side. Taking with them their hip, bohemian lifestyle and creative influences, however, as with most hipster areas – prices are beginning to rise with the ever expanding amount of artisanal coffee shops, craft beer bars and vegan restaurants. That being said it is still cheaper to eat, drink and dance in East London than it is in many other areas of the city.

Shoreditch and Dalston are two of the coolest and most popular places to live in East London. Shoreditch is the pricier of the two, with a 2 bedroom house starting at about £1,700. It has an eclectic mix of financial, creative and media centric personalities that really give the place its vibe. Dalston is the cheaper option at about £1,400 being the average starting price. Other cool places to check out are: Haggerston, Shadwell, Hackney Wick, Hackney Central and Stoke Newington.

Living in West London

West London is the quintessential area that many people think of when picturing traditional cobbled street and ancient London architecture – and rightly so. This district has been made famous (or infamous) by shows such as ‘Made in Chelsea’ and other similar shows. However, the place is still humming with life and entertainment and it is bound to put a spell over anyone that visits – if living here is in your budget then you should do so.

Maida Vale is one of the most popular areas here and the quiet streets are mostly safe, spacious and tree-lined, making it the perfect place for young couples and families. Entertainment options are many and the Little Venice area is particular sought after. It’s the perfect place for those moving to London to settle in a bit further away from the hustle and bustle. 2 bedroom flats go for around £1,700. Other areas to have a gaze at are: Kensington, Chelsea, Notting hill, Fulham, Holland Park and Richmond.

Living in North London

North London is particularly popular with families, but young professionals (who earn a bit more) have also started to migrate here. It has excellent public transport, great pubs, plenty of entertainment options and perfect places for after-office drinks on a Friday.

Camden Town is one of the North’s most beautiful and popular areas. It offers affordable housing and a lifestyle to fit any kind of person. Fashion stalls, food trucks and pop up clothing shops line the street. Other popular areas in North London are: Angel, St John’s Wood, Belsize Park, Hampstead and Finsbury Park.

Living in South of the Thames

If you are looking for a place with quirky character then South of the Thames is your place. Cheaper then other areas, it is now going through the processes of regeneration and many young professionals are flocking in to get houses before the prices start to go up. There is no shortage of coffee shops, restaurants and pubs in these areas and we think the perfect places to look are: Royal Borough of Greenwich, New Cross, Deptford, Peckham, Battersea, Wimbledon, Clapham, Clapham Junction and Wandsworth.

We hope that this short guide narrows down the areas for you to look at in London and makes the process of finding your new home that much easier.