What you need to know about Harrow
Alongside the boroughs of Camden and Brent, Harrow forms part of North West London. Average property prices in Harrow are markedly below the overall North London average of £851,560 making the borough, with an average price of £586,751, the most affordable borough in this part of the capital.
The borough of Harrow is comprised of a variety of different areas, including Great Stanmore to the north, Canons Park to the east, Rayners Lane to the south, and Pinner Green to the west. Other notable areas within Harrow include Belmont, Pinner, Northwick Park and Harrow on the Hill.
Semi-detached properties are sold most frequently, fetching an average £623,841. The average sold price for flats within the borough sits at £383,642, with terraced homes reaching £541,765 on average. With an average property price of £734,283, Great Stanmore is the most expensive part of the borough. Conversely, Wealdstone is the most affordable part of Harrow with an average property price of £421,093. Since 2017, property prices in the borough have risen by 11% from £528,678.
What is living in Harrow like?
Sitting just over five miles south of Watford, Harrow forms part of Outer London and shares borders with four other boroughs: Barnet, Brent, Ealing, and Hillingdon. Additionally, the districts of Hertsmere and Three Rivers in Hertfordshire sit to the north. The borough therefore occupies a prime location that is a mere stone's throw away from the green belt and close to the action, with its own solid offering of local amenities.
Harrow is a wonderfully diverse borough and is particularly popular amongst young families and couples keen to put down roots. There has been a strong period of development in recent years, which means there is a variety of property available in the borough including plenty of plush apartments. Harrow is also home to numerous traditional streets lined with 1930s semi-detached homes, and Edwardian and Victorian era terraces.
Although the bright lights and fast connections to central London will always be appealing, Harrow is home to a variety of shops, cafés and eateries serving everything from East African to Indian cuisine. Its village-like atmosphere is supremely welcoming and the community feel is a large part of why this part of London is on so many people's radars.
The borough sits outside the expanded ULEZ zone, which means that drivers won't need to worry about whether their vehicle conforms to emissions standards and if they will need to pay the £12.50 per day charge. The borough is ideally located for the A404 and the M25, which are both routes that offer connections to a range of locations in and around London.
Living in Harrow pros and cons
Pro: Easy access to central London
In the early part of the 20th century, the area that is now the borough of Harrow was known as the heart of 'Metro-land' and is largely why the area benefits from such excellent transport links. Unlike many other Outer London boroughs, Harrow has good London Underground connectivity and is served by four lines: Bakerloo, Jubilee, Metropolitan, and Piccadilly.
The borough also benefits from London Overground connectivity and is home to a variety of Underground, Overground and National Rail stations, including West Harrow, Pinner, Hatch End, and Canons Park. To give you some idea as to just how well-connected the borough is, commuters can be in Marylebone in 20 minutes and Euston in around 12 minutes.
Con: Poor air quality
Although air pollution levels may only exceed recommended guidelines on up to 5 days out of every 30, over the course of the year Harrow residents are still exposed to levels of air pollution that are more than twice the recommended amount set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Pro: Lots of good schools
Harrow is known for its good educational record and is home to a variety of primary and secondary schools. The borough also houses a small selection of tertiary colleges. The area is particularly well known for the Harrow School, the North London Collegiate School for girls, and the John Lion School for boys, which are independent schools that have built strong reputations as being amongst the best schools in the UK. Harrow also has a range of state schools, many of which have been awarded top Ofsted ratings, including St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, Claremont High School, and St Gregory's Catholic Science College.
Pro: Good selection of amenities
From independent retailers to shopping centres filled with all the top high street names, you certainly won't need to travel into the city to shop until you drop. The borough benefits from several large supermarkets alongside smaller express grocery stores, which means that whether you're planning the big shop or a mid-week top-up, you shouldn't have to go far to find what you're looking for.
Harrow's leisure centre contains state-of-the-art exercise facilities alongside a sports hall and 33-metre pool. If you prefer to take your exercise outdoors or simply want to get some fresh air, the borough is also home to a variety of open spaces including Canons Park, which was awarded a Green Flag award in 2020.
Is Harrow a safe place to live?
Recording a rate of 20.16 in the period between March 2020 and March 2021, crime in the borough of Harrow can be described as very low. Between December 2019 and November 2021, there were 31,565 offences reported in Harrow. 9,733 of those crimes were categorised as violence against the person, 5,573 were vehicle offences, and there were 5,146 reported instances of theft.
When compared to data from the previous month, statistics show that crime was down in the borough by 4.92% in November 2021. Crime is also down overall in Harrow, falling by 3.24% in the 12 months to November 2021 when compared to the previous 12-month period.
Which celebrities live in Harrow?
Harrow School has seen the likes of actor Benedict Cumberbatch, singer James Blunt, and no fewer than four UK Prime Ministers grace its corridors, but the borough as a whole is also renowned for the number of comedians, singers, sports stars and actors that have made the area their home over the years.
Sir Elton John was born in Harrow and spent his childhood with his parents in Pinner. Singer Kate Nash also spent her formative years in the borough and she opted to film several of her music videos in the area. Comedian Matt Lucas attended Stanmore's Aylward Primary School, Sir Roger Moore was a Stanmore resident for a short period of time, and footballer Theo Walcott was born in the Stanmore area in 1989.
Things to consider when moving to Harrow
Overall, Harrow is the most affordable area within North West London, which is partly why it has such a strong appeal for many. However, it is also important to be mindful of the fact that certain areas are more affordable than others. In 2018/19, the average private rental property in the borough was priced at £1,350 per month. An annual income of £40,500 is required to comfortably afford a property at this price, which is notably higher than the £35,033 median household earnings recorded at the same time.
As one of the most diverse boroughs, it is also essential to spend time in different areas of Harrow to really get a feel for the vibe and an understanding as to whether a certain area will help you to achieve your ideal lifestyle on your budget.
