As the UK’s biggest city, London offers a ton of opportunities for young professionals looking to further develop in their respective fields. And as a result of the vast career opportunities available, tens of thousands of young professionals from all over the UK and abroad flock to London and make the English capital their home.
While finding a job in London isn’t that difficult, finding a place to call home can be quite tricky, especially if you don’t know your way around the city. To help you make the best decision, in this article, we’re going to go over the best London neighbourhoods for young professionals.
For each neighbourhood that we recommend, we’re also going to go over:
- The rent you can expect to pay
- Things you can do in the area during your time off
- All the nearby transport links
- The distance from central London
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best neighbourhoods to live in London for young professionals.
Shoreditch/Hoxton
Rental Prices
When it comes to renting a property, expect your rent to be relatively high compared to other parts of London. The average one-bedroom apartment in the area can cost you between £1,800 and £3,000 per month. And should you decide to move in with a friend into a two-bed, expect your rent to be around £2,500 – £3,500 per month.
Things You Can Do in the Area
When living in Shoreditch or Hoxton, rest assured that you will never get bored or run out of things to do. You can enjoy the lively atmosphere and vibrant nightlife this part of town has to offer. There are also plenty of restaurants, vintage shops, and art galleries in the area, meaning there’s something for everyone – no matter what you’re into.
Nearby Transport Links
The nearest tube stop is on Old Street. Alternatively, you can go to the Shoreditch High Street Overground station. Both of these transport links are within walking distance and have great connections to the entire city.
Distance From Central London
Both Shoreditch and Hoxton are situated in close proximity to Central London (to the East). If you decide to take public transport, it will take you around 15-20 minutes to get into the heart of London. And if you decide to take on the journey by car, depending on when you do it, it can take less or a whole lot more, especially during peak hours
Canary Wharf
Rental Prices
As London’s major financial district, Canary Wharf is home to many modern apartment complexes and luxury accommodation. As a result (depending on where and what you decide to rent of course), accommodation can vary in price. For a one-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay anywhere from £1,800 to £3,500 per month.
Things You Can Do in the Area
Canary Wharf is home to some of the most impressive skyscrapers in the entirety of the UK. And if you’re not so much into modern buildings, you can also pay a visit to the waterfront and enjoy the stunning views (they’re fantastic at night). If you’re into shopping, clubbing, going to bars, or general entertainment, there’s plenty of that for you too.
Nearby Transport Links
The nearest transport link is the Canary Wharf station, which is (at most) 15 minutes away regardless of where you live in Canary Wharf.
Distance From Central London
If you are taking public transport, it can take you around 15 to 20 minutes to reach Central London via the Jubilee Line. If you decide to walk, bike, or use your own car, it will take you around 1 hour 40 minutes, 31 minutes, or 40 minutes (depending on traffic) respectively.
Notting Hill
Rental Prices
As Notting Hill is located in a very central and popular location in London, rental prices are definitely quite a bit higher than average when you look at London as a whole. If you plan on renting a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay between £1,800 and £3,000 each month.
Things You Can Do in the Area
One of the most popular destinations in Notting Hill is the Portobello Road Market. Tens of thousands of people from all over London flock to this part of town to explore the world’s largest antiques market where over a thousand dealers sell every kind of collectible and antique you can imagine.
Nearby Transport Links
The closest transport link in Notting Hill will be the Notting Hill Gate station. What’s great about this transport link is that it will take you to almost any part of London (including Central London).
Distance From Central London
If you use the Central Line from Notting Hill, you can expect to reach Central London in about 15 to 20 minutes. If you walk, the journey can be around 1 hour 30 minutes and around 30 minutes by bike. We don’t advise you to drive, as that can take you around 40 minutes during peak time.
Clapham
Rental Prices
If you’re looking for a great place to live as a young professional that also isn’t as expensive as any of the above-mentioned neighbourhoods, you should definitely consider Clapham. In this part of London, the average one-bedroom apartment will set you back around £2,000 per month. Please note that you can find apartments that go for anywhere as little as £1,400 all the way up to £3,000 per month.
Things You Can Do in the Area
There are a ton of things you can do in Clapham. You can enjoy the green spaces of Clapham Common, visit the independent shops and restaurants on Northcote Road, and experience the vibrant nightlife along Clapham High Street. And this isn’t your scene, you can also explore the nearby Clapham Old Town, which exudes a more relaxed and charming atmosphere.
Nearby Transport Links
There are two main stations in Clapham – the Clapham Common and the Clapham North station. Both of these stations have great connections to almost any part of London, meaning you don’t need to look for alternative modes of transportation if you want to get further out of town.
Distance From Central London
If you take public transport from Clapham Common or the Clapham North station, expect to reach Central London within 15-20 minutes. If you walk, it can take around 1 hour 30 minutes, and if you bike, it will take around 30-40 minutes depending on the route you take.
London certainly doesn’t lack neighbourhoods that are suitable for young professionals. However, there are a number of them that we think are particularly suitable for younger people both in terms of fun and things to do as well as location and affordability.
Please note that the locations we’ve chosen above are relatively central and if your budget doesn’t stretch this far, you can also explore other neighbourhoods further out (zone three is a great place to look too).And if renting isn’t something you’d be interested in, consider buying a flat. It’s a great long-term investment. Prices in London are constantly rising so should you want to sell your flat fast at some point in the future, you won’t have a hard time finding a buyer.
