Top 5 Best places to live in London with the Best quality of life – 2025

Top 5 Best places to live in London with the Best quality of life – 2025

london

London is a lively city in the United Kingdom with a rich history and an abundance of activities. It’s a great place for work, education, and leisure. You can explore renowned places like Buckingham Palace, the residence of the Royal Family, or visit London landmarks such as Big Ben and the London Bridge. The city’s skyline is dominated by an iconic clock tower, offering beautiful views of the city.

For nature enthusiasts, Kew Gardens and numerous green spaces offer a breath of fresh air in London. The city is considered safe, with low crime rates compared to other major global cities, and each borough accommodates diverse lifestyles. If you’re considering a move to London, there are some things to know before you make the move.

Read on to find out the best places in London to live with the best quality of life.

best places to live in london map

Methodology

The term “best” is inherently subjective. Therefore, to compile our ranking of the best places to live in London, we have based our methodology on three key criteria: safety, affordability, and quality of life.

Our safety ranking is derived from crime data provided by the London Metropolitan Police Service as of June 2024. This data compares local crime rates to the overall force area average, presenting the total number of crimes per 1,000 residents over a twelve-month period for selected crime types. Crimes included in our assessment range from burglary and vehicle crime to violent and sexual offences. The data, sourced from the UK Police website, has been standardised as the average number of various crimes per 1,000 people.

Our affordability ranking is based on the average cost of purchasing a property and renting a one-bedroom flat, as well as overall quality of life. Data has primarily been collected from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). For context, as of November 2024, the average house price in England stands at £290,000, while the average rent for a one-bedroom flat is £1,369 per month.

By combining these criteria, we have developed a comprehensive ranking to help identify the best places to live in London.

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1. Sutton

sutton harbour london
  • Crime rate: 63.52 crimes per 1,000 people
  • Average 1-bed flat rent: £1,496
  • Average property buying cost: £445,000

Sutton is the ideal borough for young people seeking a blend of urban and suburban living. Residents enjoy shopping centers in the heart of the town, such as Times Square and the Saint Nicholas Shopping Centre, which offer different amenities like groceries, restaurants, cafés, and nearby schools. It also provides abundant green spaces like Beddington Park, creating a serene environment with a low crime rate of 63.52 crimes per 1,000 people.

Commuting around Sutton and neighboring towns is easy thanks to its convenient transportation options. There are 54 buses for an easy commute, and the Sutton Station is connected to three major South-East London stations by train. Living in Sutton is also budget-friendly. In Sutton, as of November 2024, the average house price stands at approximately £445,000, while a one-bedroom flat rents for around £1,496 per month.

ONS (Nov 2024)Police.UK (June 2024)

Sutton, London

2. Harrow

  • Crime rate: 63.85 crimes per 1,000 people
  • Average 1-bed flat rent: £1,685
  • Average property buying cost: £526,000

Harrow is home to the prestigious Harrow School, founded in 1572, and 8 superior secondary schools that have consistently performed above the national average in London. One of its upper-class areas is Harrow on the Hill, featuring historic Georgian architecture buildings. Also, commuting here is facilitated by the Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines, Chiltern Railways, and a local bus network.

Residents claim it is ideal for those who prefer a quiet life with green areas and proximity to amenities, such as St. George’s shopping centre, as well as a variety of restaurants and cafés. All of this is within a safe environment, with a reported crime rate of 63.85 crimes per 1,000 people. In Harrow, as of November 2024, the average house price stands at approximately £526,000, while a one-bedroom flat rents for around £1,685 per month.

ONS (Nov 2024)Police.UK (June 2024) 

Harrow, London

3. Bexley

  • Crime rate: 68.07 crimes per 1,000 people
  • Average 1-bed flat rent: £1,404
  • Average property buying cost: £406,000

Bexley is a suburban borough in the southeast of Greater London, renowned for its blend of green spaces and residential areas, providing a quiet atmosphere with a low crime rate of 68.07 crimes per 1,000 people. Residents not only enjoy leisurely walks through over 100 charming parks, but also have access to a variety of health programs and services designed to support their physical and mental well-being.

Residents in Bexley have easy access to a diverse range of amenities, including great shops, coffee shops, restaurants and pubs, making it an ideal choice for young professionals in London. In Bexley, as of November 2024, the average house price stands at approximately £406,000, while a one-bedroom flat rents for around £1,404 per month.

ONS (Nov 2024)Police.UK (June 2024)

Bexley, London

4. Richmond upon Thames

  • Crime rate: 60.49 crimes per 1,000 people
  • Average 1-bed flat rent: £2,122
  • Average property buying cost: £745,000

In southwest London, Richmond upon Thames is considered the happiest borough to live in. Residents claim that this is attributed to the sense of community, access to green spaces like Richmond Park and Kew Gardens, and the proximity to shops, restaurants, and bars. But most of all, because it is one of the best and safest boroughs to live in London, with a reported low crime rate of 60.49 crimes per 1,000 people.

The borough is favored by commuters due to its excellent transport links, offering a quick 25-minute ride on South Western Railway to Waterloo Station and convenient access to the London bus network for local transportation. In Richmond upon Thames, as of November 2024, the average house price stands at approximately £745,000, while a one-bedroom flat rents for around £2,122 per month.

ONS (Nov 2024)Police UK (June 2024)

Richmond upon Thames, London

5. Croydon

  • Crime rate: 90.90 crimes per 1,000 people
  • Average 1-bed flat rent: £1,480
  • Average property buying cost: £403,000

Croydon is a borough located in South London that offers a mix of modern amenities and historical charm. Its residents enjoy big shopping centers nearby, such as the Centrale Shopping Centre, and various cultural venues like Stanley Arts. Also, it hosts numerous cultural events that celebrate its diverse community and rich heritage, which is one of the reasons why in 2023 it has been named the London Borough of Culture.

Croydon features both skyscrapers and historic architecture, mixed with green spaces like Lloyd Park, providing residents with a serene atmosphere and a crime rate of 90.90 crimes per 1,000 people. In Croydon, as of November 2024, the average house price stands at approximately £403,000, while a one-bedroom flat rents for around £1,480 per month.

ONS (Nov 2024)Police.UK (June 2024)

Croydon, London

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Conclusion

In your search to find the best places in London to live, it’s important to recognize the diverse living costs and characteristics across different boroughs. If you’re a fan of pop culture, boroughs like Harrow may interest you, as it is home to Harrow School where some scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot.

This article has highlighted factors such as educational opportunities, outdoor recreation, easy commute, healthcare quality, low crime rates, and reasonable housing prices. By referring to this information, you can make a well-informed decision that suits your preferences and lifestyle.

 

Last year’s ranking (2024)

 

  1. Bexley
  2. Sutton
  3. Havering
  4. Hillingdon
  5. Bromley
  6. Harrow
  7. Kingston upon Thames
  8. Merton
  9. Barnet
  10. Richmond upon Thames

 

Our rankings are carefully compiled with an emphasis on safety, affordability, and quality of life. Please be aware that some locations featured in last year’s rankings may not appear in this year’s list due to changes in our methodology. This may include areas with insufficient rental or safety data, or those where average figures have shifted significantly. We encourage readers to use these rankings alongside their personal priorities and circumstances to make well-informed decisions.

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Selina Cifelli

The author

Selina is a motivated marketing intern with a keen interest in developing engaging content related to moving experiences and city life. With a passion for fashion and traveling, she brings a fresh perspective to our readers. Her talent for crafting innovative written material effectively positions MovingWaldo as a trusted resource for hassle-free and efficient moves.
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