Chiswick, in west London, is a green, prosperous and family-friendly area. It has plenty of shops and restaurants, good schools (both state and private) and quick and easy connections to the West End and Heathrow. North Greenwich is an up-and-coming neighborhood with modern residential skyscrapers along the banks of the River Thames, a growing number of world-class restaurants, cafes and retail stores, popular riverside trails and an impressive driving range. Homes in North Greenwich are almost exclusively apartments, making them popular with young professionals and couples.
It's also a good option for workers who reside in Canary Wharf, just a tube stop away, or for those who travel frequently, as London City Airport is nearby. Greenwich is a historic neighborhood that is home to the world-famous Royal Observatory. As its many warehouses suggest, this former industrial area in East London was once the heart of London's cheap clothing industry. Nowadays, trendy locals go to the trendy neighborhoods of Shoreditch and Hoxton for clubs, bars, restaurants and shops around every corner. There aren't a lot of green spaces, but the local Shoreditch park is definitely the place to see and be seen when the sun rises. Putney is located on the banks of the River Thames in southwest London.
It's more like a bustling commercial city than a suburb of London. Downtown Putney offers a mix of local independent stores and national chains, and there are plenty of atmospheric pubs to explore in the area. The leafy banks of the Thames offer popular routes for walking and running. To truly escape the city, head to nearby Richmond Park, which is about three times the size of New York's Central Park. Brixton is an eclectic corner of South London with great places to eat, drink and socialize.
This lively neighborhood makes it incredibly popular with young professionals moving to the city. The housing stock consists predominantly of old municipal estates and terraced streets. Marylebone is still a little cheaper than nearby Mayfair and Fitzrovia, plus much of London's West End is within walking distance. Dulwich is a leafy neighborhood in South London with quiet pubs and cafes on the main streets. Dulwich Park has a popular boating lake, and football fans can enjoy cheering on the local team, Dulwich Hamlet FC.
Another great option for expats is Leeds which is just under 4 hours from London in the north of the country. Whether you only know part of the moving equation or you know absolutely nothing, these are some of the best areas to live in London. The disadvantages of living in Shoreditch include constantly rising house prices and noise at night if you live on streets with bars and restaurants. The stock of rental properties is good in these areas, and there are plenty of community organizations to help expats get settled. If you know that you want to live in this part of the city, you can take advantage of all that it has to offer while avoiding some of its drawbacks. Regardless of where you choose to live in London, opportunities abound to network with other Americans.
