Our West London Area Guide
Choosing where to live in London can sometimes be tricky, especially if you are new to London or the area. West London is known for its charm, sophistication and diversity. Stretching from cultured Marylebone to suburban Acton, it is as varied and interesting as it comes.
West London is a diverse area, with many sought-after residential areas. In general, common sense dictates that the areas closest to the city centre are the most expensive.
However, if you travel slightly further out, you can find more affordable properties. These are one of the best areas to live in West London, as per our preference.
Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most desirable areas in London, known as the home of the rich and famous. There’s plenty to see and do in the region, with King’s Road being the hub of Chelsea. There, you’ll find buzzing bars and trendy cafes. The area is popular with couples and young professionals, but there are also excellent schools which makes it desirable for families as well.
Most of the properties on the market in Chelsea are period homes, including Victorian cottages and Georgian terraces, although there are also modern apartments available. Popular areas to buy a house in Chelsea include King’s Road, Sloane Square and West Brompton.
Another attractive and affluent area of West London is Notting Hill. Again, is one of the most expensive areas in London; a thriving and fashionable part of the city, drawing in people who are attracted to its bohemian flair and multicultural vibe.
Notting Hill is home to Portobello Road Market, one of the most well-known markets in the UK which draws thousands of tourists every week, and it’s also the location of the annual Notting Hill Carnival, which is one of the largest street festivals in Europe.
Fulham sits between Chelsea and Putney, just under 4 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Once an industrial area, it’s now one of the most sought-after parts of London. The area is jam-packed with picture-perfect, tree-lined streets, meaning living in Fulham is at the top of many first-time buyer’s wish lists. The majority of properties here are Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, although you’ll also find some Georgian properties in the area.
Fulham is on the District Line, meaning there are good transport links into the city centre.
With a beautiful riverside setting, Hammersmith is a lovely area in which to buy a property. The population of Hammersmith is diverse, with everyone from young families to professionals choosing to make this area their home. If you like the idea of living in Hammersmith, you’ll find a range of properties to choose from including terraced houses and modern apartments.
Hammersmith is also a hub for commerce, and is home to the head offices of international businesses like Disney, Coca-Cola and L’Oreal, meaning the area is bustling during the week with workers. It’s a well-connected part of the city, which is served by four tube lines: District, Circle, Piccadilly and Hammersmith & City, making it a quick and easy commute into the city centre.
Chiswick offers the perfect compromise for those who want to be near everything the city has to offer, but don’t want to live right in the centre of it all. This area has a lovely, village feel with a great community atmosphere, and it’s popular with young families who love living in Chiswick for the highly-rated schools.
Properties in Chiswick are mostly detached houses from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, although there are also modern apartments. Chiswick is served by the District line on the tube, and its proximity to the M4 and M25 make it an ideal location for those who’d prefer to drive. It’s also only 20 minutes to Heathrow Airport by car.
Need A Free Estimate?
- Fully qualified RICS professional surveyor
- Affordable, fast and thorough surveys
- Clear, precise and easy to understand report
In West London, during the last year, a flat was sold with an average selling price of £850,000. Terraced properties had an average selling price of £1,540,000. Semi-detached properties sold for £1,534,500 on average. Detached properties fetched an average of £3,134,000 (Source: Land Registry)
As expected, Kensington, W8, is West London’s one of the most expensive area to buy, with houses averaging £2,416,909. Notting Hill is another pricey area, with property sales averaging £1,649,619 (although this is actually a 2.64% increase on the average from 5 years ago).
If you want to live centrally, then the W1 postcode district is a highly sought-after area, with property prices averaging £1,856,358. This area includes the popular areas of Soho, Chinatown and Marylebone, as well as affluent Savile Row and Fitzrovia.
Paddington, W2, is another expensive area to buy a property. With Hyde Park as your back garden, you can see why it’s such a sought-after district, and houses here go for an average of £1,596,823. That figure has increased slightly over the last 5 years, by 1.73%.
Finally, West Kensington rounds out our list of the most expensive areas in west London. The W14 postcode district is in zone 2, and its residents enjoy a wide array of gastropubs, independent cafes and beautiful boutiques which line the area’s streets.
Although West London has a reputation as being one of the most expensive areas of the city, there are some more affordable properties on the market, if you know the right areas to look in!
Hanwell is one of the best options for a cheaper house in west London. The W7 postcode district has some excellent schools, making it a popular option for families, and there’s a blossoming cafe culture scene in the area which gives it a nice village-like feel, although it’s still close enough to central London for commuters. Properties here average £535,250.
Acton is another area to consider if you’re looking for a cheaper place to live in west London. There are six state-funded primary schools in Acton, and three state secondary schools as well as the fee-paying Barbara Speake Stage School, which is one of the world’s oldest stage schools, and the King Fahad Academy which provides an Islamic-based education for children. Acton is popular with families, and houses average £601,576.
West Ealing, W13, is another option, as properties here go for an average of £480,099. There are a lot of flats on offer in this area, which have been converted from Victorian townhouses. Ealing, W5, is also a good area to look for a more affordable property, as houses here average £637,235.
Shepherds Bush is our final option for cheaper areas to buy in west London. It’s a great part of the city if you enjoy being near shops, as it’s home to Westfield shopping centre and West 12, as well as a range of independent shops. House prices in W12 average £810,383.
Written by Danil P.
27th Aug 2021 (Last updated on 4th May 2023)
6 minute read
