Today I want to bring you my guide to the best places to live in west London for your style. I often get asked where to live in London, and I want to answer that question in this blog post. There are so many west London neighborhoods you can choose from, including elegant Kensington and colorful Notting Hill. I’m going to show you where you can move based on your individual preferences, tastes, work situation, and circumstances. I’ve included an interactive map of the neighborhoods as well.
Best Places to Live in West London
One of the most difficult things about choosing the best place to live in west London is that there are loads of good options. London is enormous, and the western part of the UK capital covers a large geographical expanse.
Where to live in the western part of the city depends on several factors. These include your budget, individual style, and commute to the office (if you have one).
Where your friends (and family members, if they’re in London) live is equally important. Traveling from one part of the city to another can take a long time.
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I got when I moved to the UK capital was to live in a neighborhood close to people I know.
West London is a great part of the city to live in because there are beautiful places to call home and the area is well-served by public transport. I lived here for years, and I loved being in this corner of London.
Most neighborhoods here are in reach of the tube, Overground, or train. Local buses serve the area well, too. Whether it’s your office or a friend’s flat, you’ll often have a straightforward journey.
Keeping that in mind, my guide to the best places to live in west London aims to offer you a range of ideas for neighborhoods you can move to.
Whether you’re an expat, young professional, couple, family, student, or something else, there’s a place that’s right for your style, situation, and budget.
This post also has links to my individual blog posts about west London neighborhoods. They’ll provide you with additional information and ideas about each area.
Think of this as the highlight reel and those posts as places where you can dig deeper.
After you’ve taken a look, you can determine which west London area is right for your preferences and circumstances. If you want to purchase a property, my guide to how to buy a flat in London can help, too.
In any case, I hope you find the best place to live in west London for you. If you need more inspiration, my self-guided west London walks will take you around some of the areas on my list.
They’ll let you see the high streets, side streets, and secret corners of west London, and they’ll help you get to know the neighborhoods and their unique personalities.
Whether you like beautiful houses or vibrant markets, manicured gardens or pretty shopfronts, there’s a west London neighborhood for you. Read on to see my favorites.
1. Notting Hill
Since it’s one of the most beloved west London neighborhoods, I’ll start with Notting Hill. This part of the city is known for its colorful houses, famous market on Portobello Road, and fun shops and restaurants.
There are loads of things to do in Notting Hill, from shopping and dining on the high streets to exploring the quiet lanes and hidden mews streets. The annual Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party, too.
If you want to learn more about this part of west London, my self-guided Notting Hill walk and Notting Hill guide can help.
Pros of living in Notting Hill include being in a great local neighborhood, having lots of independent shops and restaurants around you, living by a famous market, and having pretty streets to discover.
Cons of living in Notting Hill include the high cost of housing and the crowds on Portobello Road on Saturdays when the market is at its peak.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Notting Hill here. My favorite is The Portobello Hotel. It’s one of the best quirky hotels in London.
2. Ladbroke Grove
Next on my list of the best places to live in west London is Ladbroke Grove (or North Kensington). This neighborhood is situated just above Notting Hill, but it manages to fly under the radar. As a result, there’s a great local atmosphere here.
Ladbroke Grove is best known for the restaurants, shops, cafes, and market on Golborne Road. There are also eye-catching mews, parks, and colorful doors around the area.
Pros of living in Ladbroke Grove include the shops, restaurants, streets, market, tube station, and proximity to Notting Hill.
Cons of living in Ladbroke Grove include relatively high housing prices compared to places further afield, and the Trellick Tower, which some people consider the ugliest building in London.
If you want to test out the area, my top pick is still The Portobello Hotel. Given its proximity to Ladbroke Grove, it’s a great place to stay.
3. Holland Park
Right next to Notting Hill, Holland Park is another of the best places to live in west London. From the pretty gardens in the park itself to the colorful houses and local museums, this is one of the nicest neighborhoods in London.
I always enjoy visiting Holland Park to walk through the beautiful Kyoto Garden and wave hello to the resident peacocks. When winter ends, the formal flower beds are home to some of the best spring gardens in London.
Outside the gardens, Holland Park Mews is one of the prettiest London mews. It’s surrounded by streets packed with elegant homes, too. The high street is full of fun restaurants, cafes, and shops as well.
If you want to discover the best of the neighborhood, I’ve published a self-guided Holland Park walk you can do.
Pros of living in Holland Park include the green space, the beautiful streets and crescents, the tube station, and the high street.
Cons of living in Holland Park include the high cost of housing and and a smaller high street than some other parts of the UK capital.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Holland Park here. My top pick is The Laslett by Notting Hill Gate. It’s in a convenient location by the tube station and the best of the local area.
4. Shepherd’s Bush
Right by Holland Park, Shepherd’s Bush is next on my list. This is a popular area to live in because it’s one of the more affordable places to live in west London and it has good transport links into the city center.
With a huge shopping mall, a Soho House called White City House, and a lively restaurant and bar scene, Shepherd’s Bush is a great west London area to call home.
Pros of living in Shepherd’s Bush include good transport links, shops, and lower housing prices than areas just to the east of the neighborhood.
Cons of living in Shepherd’s Bush include busy roads and a shopping mall with mostly high street shops (if that’s not your thing).
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Shepherd’s Bush here. My top pick is The Hoxton. This hip hotel is in the heart of the neighborhood overlooking Shepherd’s Bush Green.
5. Hammersmith
Right on the Thames, Hammersmith is another good choice. This area is home to a high street full of shops, a famous concert venue, a food market, historic riverside pubs, and the Thames Path.
Hammersmith is well connected by public transport, making it easy to get into central London whenever you need to. With multiple tube lines and a bus hub, you have a lot of good options.
Given its slightly lower cost of living than other parts of west London, Hammersmith is one of the best places to live in west London for young professionals.
Pros of living in Hammersmith include the transport links, shops, and lower housing prices than areas just to the east of it.
Cons of living in Hammersmith include busy roads and a high street that can be a bit lacking in good independent shops and restaurants.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Hammersmith here. My top pick is St Paul’s Hotel. This stylish boutique hotel is housed in a 19th-century school that was built by Alfred Waterhouse, the same architect who designed the Natural History Museum.
6. Kensington
Kensington is another of my favorite places to live in west London. I lived in the neighborhood for years, and I couldn’t get enough of its lovely mews and elegant houses.
Kensington Church Street is packed with beautiful antiques shops and tearooms. Kensington High Street has everything from a Whole Foods to side streets with some of the best restaurants in London.
When it comes to parks, Kensington Gardens is one of the best green spaces in the city. It’s home to Kensington Palace, one of the famous royal palaces in London.
If you want to discover more of this west London neighborhood, I’ve published a self-guided Kensington walk and a Kensington guide that will help.
Pros of living in Kensington include the relatively central location, pretty streets, multiple tube lines and stations throughout the area, and big park.
Cons of living in Kensington include high housing prices and the fact that the District and Circle lines of the tube never seem to be working.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Kensington here. My favorite is The Baglioni. I’ve stayed here before, and I love the great decor, fun bar, and views over Hyde Park.
7. South Kensington
Adjacent to Kensington, South Kensington is another of the best west London areas to live in. From important museums like the V&A to the cafes around South Kensington station, this area has a lot to love.
Add to that the restaurants on Old Brompton Road and the shops on Fulham Road, and the high streets have a lot to offer. The same goes for the side streets. Cranley Mews is gorgeous, and The Boltons are packed with beautiful houses.
South Kensington is popular with American expats (and French ones thanks to the lycee). It’s a good place to live if you’re coming from the States (or France) and you want to be near other people who are as well.
If you’re interested in seeing more of this part of west London, my self-guided walk in South Kensington is perfect for you.
Pros of living in South Kensington include the relatively central location, beautiful streets, multiple tube lines and stations throughout the area, and big cultural attractions.
Cons of living in South Kensington include high housing prices and big tourist crowds in the warmer months.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in South Kensington here. My favorite is The Nadler. This hotel offers some of the best value for money in the area. It’s is a great option if you want good, affordable accommodation in a perfect London location.
8. Earls Court
Right by South Kensington, Earls Court is another of the best places to live in west London. It often gets overlooked in favor of its neighbor, but this area is worth exploring in its own right.
That’s not least because of the pastel houses that make Earls Court’s side streets shine. Child’s Street is one of my favorites, and Redfield Lane is a must-see.
It’s not just the side streets I love in Earls Court, though. The high street has lots of restaurants and bars, and The Troubadour on Old Brompton Road is an institution.
Pros of living in Earls Court include the relatively central location, slightly lower housing prices than other places nearby, and a tube station with good links to other parts of London.
The main con of living in Earls Court is the less exciting high street than some other places in the UK capital.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Earls Court here. My top pick is the Twenty Nevern Square Hotel. This unique 4-star hotel in London is a boutique property that offers guests a taste of luxury on a budget.
9. Fulham
Fulham is one of the best places to live in west London for young professionals. It has a great local feel, lots of fun pubs and restaurants, and good high streets.
From Parson’s Green with The White Horse pub (Sloaney Pony if you’re a Londoner), to Fulham Palace, this London neighborhood has a lot going for it.
There’s plenty of shopping and entertainment on Fulham Road, and New King’s Road is packed with cafes and restaurants. The award-winning Harwood Arms pub is a great place to go for a meal, too.
Fulham has good transport links as well. From the District Line of the tube to local buses, it’s easy to get to and from central London.
Pros of living in Fulham include transport links to other parts of London, good high streets, a fun nightlife scene, and proximity to the river.
Cons of living in Fulham are the relatively high cost of living and slightly farther distance from central London.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Fulham here. My top pick is Aragon House. Right on the edge of Parson’s Green, this historic hotel features individually styled guest rooms in a historic Grade II-listed Georgian building.
10. Chelsea
Just east of Fulham, Chelsea is another of my top picks for places to live in west London. It’s one of the most desirable neighborhoods to call home in this part of the city.
Chelsea is home to the King’s Road, one of the best shopping streets in London. It’s packed with great stores, and the weekly Duke of York Square Market is my go-to place on a Saturday in London.
Add to that the floral extravaganzas of the Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom, the Chelsea Physic Garden, and Chelsea Embankment, and the area has a lot of natural beauty, too.
If you want to discover this part of west London, my self-guided Chelsea walk will show you the best places in Chelsea.
Pros of living in Chelsea include the relatively central location, pretty side streets, tube station, Overground station, riverboat pier, and shops.
Cons of living in Chelsea include high housing prices and the fact that certain parts of the neighborhood are farther from the tube and Overground than some people would like.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Chelsea here. My favorite is the Sonder – Chelsea Green. I’ve stayed here before and I love it.
11. Chiswick
Chiswick is another of the top places to live in west London. Like Fulham, it’s a great place to live like a local (or just live) in the UK capital. It’s popular with families, too.
Graced with places like Chiswick House (it’s one of the best English Heritage sites in London), Hogarth’s House, and the historic Fuller’s Brewery, there’s a lot to explore here.
The high street in Chiswick is home to great restaurants, pubs, and shops, and the side streets are packed with elegant houses and heritage buildings.
Pros of living in Chiswick include multiple tube stations, the Thames, cultural attractions, pretty side streets, the high street, and the relative proximity to Heathrow.
Cons of living in Chiswick include higher housing prices than other areas of the city and a slightly longer commute into central London.
If you want to test out the area, you can book a hotel in Chiswick here. My top pick is room2 Chiswick Hometel. Right in the heart of Chiswick, it has 89 studios with kitchens, king-size beds, and living areas.
West London Map
As promised, here’s a west London map with all the places on my list. If you click on the pins, you can find more information about each area. It’s a great way to get a feel for where the neighborhoods are and how close they are to central London.
If you want to see the whole city in one place, my map of London neighborhoods can help.
Best Places to Live in West London
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the best places to live in west London and that it’s helped you find the right fit for your life and circumstances.
If you’re considering other parts of the city, take a look at my blog posts about the best places to live in central London, the best places to live in north London, east London, and south London.
And if you’re still in the process of trying to figure out how to relocate to the UK, my guide to how to move to London can help. Happy moving!
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