Moving on Up - 3 Great Places to Rent in North London
However, finding a place in North London can be difficult. Knowing which areas to avoid and which to invest in can change your life completely. Firstly, you need to know your budget and what you aim to achieve from a move and look forward from there.
Here are a few ideas to kick start you.
1. Islington
Despite its close proximity to Central London, situated in zone 2 of the underground, Islington has a much more suburban feel than the high rises and cramped townhouses that Central London offers. Aside from its excellent accessibility, Islington offers numerous art and culture opportunities coupled with a surprisingly diverse array of shops for daytime and night-time entertainment. Also, with countless sleepy residential areas juxtaposed with a plethora of exciting bars and restaurants, Islington is quickly becoming a the diet alternative to the full-fat London experience.
However, of all North London locations, Islington is perhaps for the more established families and individuals as prices are considerably higher than other areas.
2. Notting Hill
Notting Hill has come to become known as one of the most desirable places to live in London. An artistic paradise and cultural melting pot, Notting Hill is famous for its celebration of the arts and its appreciation for diversity, most notably demonstrated through the Notting Hill Carnival.
Notting Hill not only has an overwhelming vibe of conscientious community, it also has an attractive feel to it with its Victorian white townhouses and stunningly quaint architecture.
In terms of entertainment, living in Notting Hill is like a constant journey across the globe. With food and drink spanning across many cultural dimensions and themed bars lining the streets, Notting Hill offers a truly diverse approach to nightlife. Similarly, Notting Hill is perhaps famous for its shopping due to its kitsch quirkiness demonstrated in its array of alternative shops.
3. Hampstead
Famously known for the beautiful wilderness of Hampstead Heath, Hampstead is still one of the nicest places to live in North London. With stunning red brick buildings lining the high streets, Hampstead stands proudly in full Victorian beauty.
In terms of eating and drinking, Hampstead offers a vast array of cultural delicacies including Hungarian cake shops, French patisseries and Italian delis. For those looking to rent and commute into London, transport is fantastic, making Hampstead one of the most easily accessible places both from Central London and from further north.
If you're looking to relocate to North London, try looking firstly at these three locations. Notably, for lower budgets, Kentish Town is quickly becoming an upcoming area, and Primrose Hill is a beautiful community for those looking to raise a family. Try to avoid Holloway and Archway; the areas still need a great deal of work to reach the standards of more desirable North London locations.