It will come as a shock to nobody that house prices in London have been continuously rising (although that may change soon), often pricing people out of the areas they’ve lived in for years. Londoners have had to move further and further away from central London, often to areas that they would never have considered before. Previously up and coming London areas like Shoreditch and Brixton are now well-established as the places to be in the capital. Prime examples of how more rundown areas can become ‘hip’ and desirable in a matter of only a few years.
In 2018, however, it’s not just the influx of young professionals looking for cheaper property (and the microbrews and avocado-toast cafes they bring with them) that is boosting the presence of some areas of London. The new addition to the TFL network, the Elizabeth Line, will link Reading and Shenfield via central London – giving the further flung boroughs great connections to the centre.
Here’s our list of London’s top 5 up and coming areas that you should keep your eyes on in 2018.
Nunhead, Southwark
Supposedly named for the legendary story of a nun who found herself beheaded during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries during the 16th century, Nunhead is a mostly unknown gem in Southwest London. Squeezed between East Dulwich and Peckham, it’s been gaining traction as a great up and coming area for people seeking a more relaxed London experience.
With both Southwark Council and the Mayor of London investing into the area over the past few years, residents have seen a great boost in the quality of their public spaces. With an improved high street and green, it’s quickly become a great place to live. Plus, thanks to its great location between the decidedly hipster haven of Peckham and the more upmarket East Dulwich, residents are never too far from any excitement. Being in close proximity to both Peckham Rye and New Cross Gate Overground stations, it’s an ideal place for those planning on heading into Central London.
This doesn’t mean that Nunhead has been cast aside, however. As the area has grown and improved, it’s seen pop up cocktail bars, film screenings and top-class food events keeping the area’s calendar full throughout the year.
Stoke Newington, Hackney
East London is quickly becoming renowned for its burgeoning nightlife and culture scene. Unlike Shoreditch and Dalston, Stoke Newington provides residents with a more peaceful existence. Although it’s not up and coming in the sense that it was previously a more dilapidated area, Stoke Newington did have a bit of a reputation for being boring.
However, now that more and more young professionals are moving to the area, it’s definitely emerging as a much cooler place to be. Many of the older, shabbier shops are closing down to make way for trendy bars and restaurants. Aside from the younger scene, there are plenty of more traditional pubs and restaurants nestled between the area’s Edwardian houses, giving the area a decidedly homely feel.
Furthermore, with Overground links to Hackney Central and the Victoria Line, you’ll never be too far from any goings on elsewhere in London.
Woolwich, Greenwich
When thinking of up and coming areas in London, suburban Woolwich is a name that’s been thrown around for years. However, thanks to over a billion pounds worth of investment into the new cultural quarter and Royal Arsenal Riverside housing development it’s fast becoming the place to be.
Though previously a fairly cheap suburb, in Woolwich today you’ll find microbreweries, gastropubs and sourdough pizzerias everywhere. If there’s an area that sums up what it means to be ‘up and coming’ in London in 2018, Woolwich is it. There’s even a regular farmers’ market attended by around 2,000 people – giving the area a definite feeling of community.
Although at the moment there’s only a DLR station in Woolwich, once the Elizabeth Line is complete, residents will be looking forward to an 8 minute commute to Canary Wharf. Be prepared for house prices in the area to grow rapidly over the next 18 months.
Acton, Ealing
A favourite of young professionals and undergrads, Acton is a true up and coming area of London. Green spaces abound and plenty of trendy pubs and restaurants have blossomed in the area over the past few years – with even more to come. It’s an affordable area for both renters and first time buyers, which is helping ensure the area quickly becomes one of the most sought after locations in London.
Acton brings with it a great community feel thanks to its young population. It’s also home to a relatively large Australian and Kiwi diaspora. In fact, the Australian-run ‘English Butcher’ – named after owner Tim English – is something of a legendary local hotspot. As more and more people discover how great this slice of East London is, you can expect Acton to just grow and grow.
When it comes to transport, you’re spoilt for choice in Acton. Six different Overground and Central Line stations have the word Acton in them, with another due to be introduced with the coming of the Elizabeth Line.
Crystal Palace
While not a single defined region, Crystal Palace refers to the area around the Crystal Palace built to house the Great Exhibition in 1851 that, unfortunately, burned down in 1936. It’s an area straddling five boroughs – Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark – atop one of the highest points in London.
As with most of the areas on this list, Crystal Palace has recently seen an influx of young professionals moving to the area. With them, residents have seen an increasing number of independent bars and restaurants appearing in what has become known as the ‘Crystal Triangle’. The triangle is an area in the centre of Crystal Palace filled to the brim with vintage shops, record stores and cool cafes that’s continually growing.
Transport wise, Crystal Palace Overground Station provides residents with links onto the Jubilee Line, ideal for a straightforward morning commute into the city itself.
James Anderson operates in the South West London area. So if you’re looking for further advice or a beautiful property to buy or let, get in touch with the James Anderson team.