What you need to know about Islington
Islington is the southernmost borough of North London and shares a border with Haringey to the north, Hackney to the east and Camden. The areas of Hornsey Rise, Upper Holloway and Finsbury Park sit at the north of the borough with Clerkenwell and Aldersgate at the bottom of the borough. Other notable areas of Islington include Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Kings Cross and Tufnell Park.
Islington is the most expensive of all North London boroughs, with an average property price of £796,631 which is markedly higher than the most affordable borough of Enfield which has an average house price of £525,388. Flats are the most commonly sold type of property in Islington, fetching an average £601,057 when sold. Terraced properties reached an average price of £1,393,735, and semi-detached properties sold for an average £1,882,798.
Within the borough itself, St Lukes is the most affordable area with the average property fetching £570,286. Conversely, Canonbury is the most expensive part of Islington, with an average property price of £992,759. Property prices in the borough have increased by 4% since 2017 when the average price was £765,956.
What is living in Islington like?
A significant percentage of the south of the borough forms part of central London, with the entire borough sitting within Inner London. It is the second smallest of all London boroughs and is the third smallest of all districts in England.
Its prime location and excellent transport connections make the borough one of the most dynamic places in London to live. Plus, it also benefits from a selection of different types of property, excellent shopping facilities, and an abundance of quirky independent eateries, restaurants, and bars.
Islington is home to several further education colleges and higher education institutions, including the London Screen Academy, London Metropolitan University, and the City University which forms part of the University of London (UoL). There are also more than 40 primary schools in Islington, alongside 10 secondary schools and three special schools. Many of these schools have been awarded top Ofsted ratings, including St Andrew's Church of England primary and Highbury Grove School.
The borough also has a growing number of employment opportunities, particularly as start-up hubs and tech businesses have moved into the area. Some of the most innovative businesses in the UK are based in Islington, most notably the areas of Farringdon and Old Street, which is often referred to as Silicon Roundabout.
Islington is relatively unique in that it attracts everyone from University students to young professionals and families. You may stumble across groups of friends sampling the latest cocktail creation in a local drinking spot, football fans on their way to a match, and mum and baby groups meeting in Highbury Fields. Its vibrant atmosphere and diverse population mean that there is always something to do, from browsing independent retail stores to indulging in a variety of delicious foods at Exmouth Market.
Living in Islington pros and cons
Pro: Excellent transport links
Islington has a comprehensive transportation network, including Underground stations, cycle routes and buses. The borough boasts 10 London Underground stations including Angel, Arsenal, Farringdon, Highbury & Islington, and Tufnell Park. Most of these stations are primarily served by the Piccadilly, Victoria and Northern lines, however, the Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, and Circle lines also have a presence in the borough.
The borough is also home to several London Overground stations, including Upper Holloway, Crouch Hill, and Canonbury. Other National Rail stations include Old Street, Essex Road, and Drayton Park which, alongside several others, provide connections to destinations in the South East and East Anglia. Finsbury Park and Farringdon stations benefit from direct connections to Gatwick Airport as well as the likes of Brighton and Cambridge.
During the week, the part of Regent's Canal that connects Hoxton and Islington is popular among cycling commuters from east London.
Con: Affected by the ULEZ scheme
Part of the borough of Islington is within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) which is designed to reduce air pollution in London. This means that drivers with vehicles that don't meet emissions standards will be required to pay the £12.50 per day charge to drive within the ULEZ zone.
Pro: Strong cultural centre
There is a wide selection of theatres, museums, galleries, cinemas and stadiums within the borough of Islington, making it one of the city's primary cultural hubs. Notable attractions include the Almeida Theatre which produces a range of drama, the most successful of which are transferred to the West End.
Finsbury Library is home to both the Islington Local History Centre and the Islington Museum, and Canonbury Square houses the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art. The Islington Assembly Hall is a Grade II listed music venue and The Screen on the Green is an ever-popular indie cinema. The 60,260 capacity Emirates Stadium is also situated within the borough of Islington, which is the home ground of Arsenal.
Con: Poor air quality
Levels of air pollution across the borough can exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on as many at 25 out of every 30 days. This means that residents can be exposed to levels that are more than three times those in the guidelines every month.
Is Islington a safe place to live?
Islington has a crime rate of 26.75 which places it in the slightly higher than average category. Between December 2019 and November 2021, there were 50,531 offences reported in Islington. Just over 15,000 of those crimes were categorised as theft, with 12,597 falling under the violence against the person category. Conversely, Islington has relatively low instances of possession of weapons and miscellaneous crimes against society.
In November 2021, crime was down in the borough by 1.97% when compared to the previous month. Additionally, in the 12 months to November 2021, crime in Islington fell by 5.88% when compared to the previous 12-month period.
Which celebrities live in Islington?
A host of famous faces have chosen to live in Islington over the years, including singer Lily Allen and actress Emma Watson. The borough is also home to another star of the Harry Potter films, namely Jim Broadbent who can frequently be spotted along Regent's Canal.
The borough of Islington is represented in parliament by two MPs, one of which is Jeremy Corbyn who was the Leader of the Opposition from 2015 to 2020. The borough has also been home to several other politicians, including Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.
Novelist, journalist and essayist George Orwell also resided in the borough, living in a basement flat in Canonbury Square. He famously wrote part of Nineteen Eighty-Four in the Canonbury Tavern's garden.
Alexander McQueen, the award-winning fashion designer responsible for creating the bridal gown worn by Kate Middleton, lived in Highbury between 2001 and 2005. The headquarters of the fashion house are still located in the borough on Clerkenwell Road.
Things to consider when moving to Islington
Islington is one of the most diverse of all London boroughs and if you decide you want to make it your home, it is important to spend time exploring which areas are most likely to deliver the lifestyle you're looking for. The area around Islington's Upper Street is incredibly trendy but the borough also benefits from quiet streets that are a mere stone's throw from some of the busiest areas.
Affordability is also a key factor, particularly as average private rents in 2017 were sitting at £1,733 per month which required an annual household income in excess of £50,000.