It’s official: 9 of the best places to live in Britain are in London

If money was no object, where in London would you choose to live? In a big old mansion by Hampstead Heath, maybe? A swish Grand Designs style house in Hackney, perhaps? Or just in an area that everyone else thinks is really cool? Well, if you’re after some inspiration, as part of its ‘Top 300 Places to Live’ series, lifestyle guide Muddy Stilettos has revealed the nine areas of London that its readers have voted the hottest places to live in Britain right now. 

In first place was Islington. Muddy Stilettos called the north London neighbourhood a ‘buzzing area’ that ‘blends cool city vibes with a laid-back village feel’. It added: ‘Families and well-heeled young couples love it here, and with top-notch schools around, who can blame them?’

Obviously, somewhere so desirable isn’t going to be cheap. The average property in Islington will set you back around £1.15 million, but flats are a little more affordable at an average cost of £600,000. The average rent for a two-bed flat in the area is at least £2,300 a month. 

The second best place to live in London, according to Muddy Stilettos readers, is Kensington. Home to Hyde Park, London’s most prestigious museums and a host of private schools, W8 is one of the city’s most exclusive postcodes. If you’re after a property here, you’re looking at an average eye-watering price of £2.7m, with most flats also sitting in the millions. The average monthly rent as of August this year is £3,600. 

Muddy Stilettos said: ‘[Kensington] has serious charm-factor with an architectural pick ‘n’ mix of stunning Victorian townhouses, sprawling villas, and grand white stucco houses. But it’s the abundance of culture, museums, gastronomical excellence, green spaces, and first-class schools that has well-heeled families, affluent young professionals, and a-listers alike flocking to its shores.’

Head a little further southwest and you’ll find yourself in Muddy Stilettos’ third best place to live in the city: Wandsworth. The publication says that this ‘leafy riverside enclave’ is a ‘less in your face’ alternative to its neighbours Balham, Clapham and Battersea. There’s the vast Wandsworth Common for greenery, Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival for culture, and pubs like the Ship, the Cats Back and the Alma for pints. Houses in Wandsworth go for an average of £778,660 while flats are currently being sold for an average of £546,000. 

London’s 9 best places to live in 2025, according to Muddy Stilettos 

1. Islington 
2. Kensington 
3. Wandsworth
4. East Dulwich 
5. Wimbledon 
6. Teddington
7. Walthamstow 
8. Dartmouth Park 
9. Queen’s Park 

Did you see that three more London neighbourhoods now have average house prices more than £1 million?

Plus: every London borough ranked from poshest to least posh.