South London is an excellent choice for anyone looking at property in the capital. Generally, you’ll get more for your money than north of the river, and there’s a wealth of neighbourhoods to choose from – whether you’re looking for buzzy nightlife, a family-friendly vibe, historic, quirky or cosmopolitan.
Plus, wherever you live in south London, you won’t be far from amazing green spaces and excellent transport links into central London.
While areas vary enormously in terms of amenities, type of properties and price – here is our pick of the best places to live in south London:
1. Tooting
There are plenty of reasons why the popular area of Tooting is considered one of the best places to live in south London. With two stations on the underground line providing trains into London Bridge and Waterloo within approximately 20 minutes, it is an ideal location for accessing the city. Tooting is also on the national rail line, with frequent overground train services to St Albans and Sutton.
Tooting Common is a beautiful open green space and home to the legendary 90-metre-long lido. You also have Tooting Market on your doorstep, offering a range of gastro and world cuisine. Plus, you’ll find good schools and a community-centric, family feel. There’s a range of housing options, including the Heaver Estate with some of London’s most appealing Victorian terraces.
2. Herne Hill
Like Tooting, residents of Herne Hill are lucky enough to have a lido right on their doorstep, in the middle of Brockwell Park, which is also the site of a summer programme of music festivals. Herne Hill has a village vibe with a wealth of cafes, restaurants and independent shops – from children’s books to haberdashery. There’s a farmers’ market, and you’re close to all the buzz of Brixton from this lovely south east location.
3. Clapham
With not one but three stops along the underground line, Clapham offers an easy commute into central London. Home to the famous Clapham Common for picnics, jogging, or just chilling out, the area is known for its vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs and restaurants. It’s great for young professionals, and with excellent schools and plenty of green space, it’s perfect for families too. Clapham is divided into four areas. Clapham North and Clapham Junction, which attract the younger crowd and where properties are predominantly flats. Clapham Old Town and Clapham South have a more upmarket atmosphere with beautiful period homes.
4. Battersea
Battersea is an area of contrasts when it comes to property. You’ll find plenty of attractive Victorian terraces around chichi Northcote Road and Battersea Rise, along with a great range of shops, bars and restaurants – and superb transport links, thanks to Clapham Junction train station. Battersea has also been the focus of major regeneration, meaning it’s an excellent place to look for modern properties around the iconic power station. This area of Battersea is served by one of London’s latest tube stations at Nine Elms.
5. Wandsworth
Wandsworth is a vibrant residential area of predominantly young professionals and families. The property scene is mainly attractive Victorian and Edwardian homes, but you’ll also find modern developments. For commuters, Wandsworth Town mainline station has frequent trains that take around 15 minutes to London Waterloo. Wandsworth Common mainline station has trains to London Bridge and London Victoria.
The area has a historic feel and a good choice of shops, pubs, restaurants and highly regarded schools. Wandsworth Common offers picturesque green space with its lake and woodland walking trail. There are also tennis courts, cricket and football pitches and a good-sized play area for children.
6. Peckham
Described by the Evening Standard as a ‘hipster regeneration success story,’ there’s much more to Peckham than Del Boy and Rodney. You’ll find a vibrant arts scene, great nightlife, a cosmopolitan feel and a mix of historic and modern properties at more affordable prices than Shoreditch and other neighbouring southeast areas of London.
7. Wimbledon
If you think Wimbledon is just for tennis, think again – it is also one of England’s best places to live. This leafy southwest London area has the benefits of a village with a real country feel and a town centre with a good range of amenities along the high street and beyond. The common is a stunning green space, and the district line serves the area. There is also a mainline station with frequent trains into Waterloo and tram links towards Sutton and Croydon. Wimbledon is great for families, and you’ll find a good choice of outstanding state and independent schools.
8. Richmond
Richmond has the feel of a town in its own right, yet it’s an easy commute into central London by train. There’s a busy town centre with a good choice of high-end shops. You can benefit from the vast open spaces of Richmond Park, plus you’re right by the river. In this historic part of London, you’ll find attractive properties from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods – from townhouses to mews apartments.
9. Streatham
Streatham is a popular place to live for young professionals and families looking for somewhere more affordable with plenty of amenities. Streatham is commuter friendly with two mainline stations providing frequent trains to London Victoria. Families will find good-sized houses with ample gardens, the most sought-after are in the Telford Park Estate around Streatham Common and the roads close to Tooting Common. The 1930s mansion flats on the High Road are popular with first-time buyers and young professionals.
10. Crystal Palace
Named the best place to live in London in the 2022 Sunday Times guide, this hilltop location boasts fabulous views, a bohemian feel, sought-after schools and a quirky mix of pubs, bars and shops. Plus, there’s Crystal Palace Park for green space and its famous dinosaurs. South Norwood Lakes are nearby, and the Crystal Palace National Sport Centre is perfect for budding sports players. It is easy to see why Crystal Palace is regularly named one of the best places to live in south east London.
11. Balham
Balham is another south London neighbourhood with a stop on the Northern Line. There is also a mainline station with frequent trains to London Victoria. Balham has plenty of shops and amenities, great schools, and a real community feel. Situated between Clapham and Tooting, Balham is surrounded by the green spaces of Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common and Tooting Bec Common. Foodies can enjoy the Post Market, the local food market where some fantastic street food vendors serve authentic worldwide cuisine. Balham is also home to the recently opened Little House Balham, the latest addition to London’s Soho House family. A sophisticated and buzzy members-only club with a small restaurant, lounge bar and cozy ‘snug’.
12. Earlsfield
Earlsfield is a comparatively affordable place to live in south London, particularly compared to more central locations. Earlsfield has a diverse community, good schools and direct transport links to London Waterloo in just 13 minutes. The main high street, Garratt Lane, is home to some fantastic restaurants, cafes and pubs, while King George’s Park is an idyllic space to escape the hustle and bustle. You can also visit the Tata Theatre for a taste of the arts without venturing as far as the West End.
13. Dulwich
Dulwich is situated south of the River Thames in the Greater London borough of Southwark. Dulwich is both charming and conveniently located for commuting into central London, boasting boutique shops, top eateries, a picturesque park with a boating lake, and a famous art gallery. Dulwich is also renowned for having some excellent schools, so it is one of the best places to live in south east London for families.
If you’re looking for a new home, talk to us. We have properties in many of south London’s best neighbourhoods and plenty of experience helping buyers find the right place, whatever their priorities. Give us a call today.