Find the best place to call home in South West London
Houses for Sale & to Rent brings you an overview of the region to help you find the perfect home
Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth and Merton are the main areas, however, South West London is comprised of 20 individual postcode districts, stretching from SW1A which is home to Buckingham Palace, Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament right the way through to SW20 which embodies the residential suburbs of Wimbledon.
The average property price in South West London comes in at just over £791,000 making the area more expensive than South London, but more affordable than both West and Central London.
This diverse part of the capital almost sits inside its own little bubble and we mean that in the best possible way. Despite its close proximity to the hustle and bustle of the inner city, South West London has a serenity about it that sets it apart from everywhere else.
What is living in South West London like?
Many would argue that South West London is one of the best places to live in the capital. You can set up home in a leafy suburb beside a sprawling park and still choose to enjoy some thumping nightlife or luxurious dinners whenever you want.
South West London also benefits from good transport links, which are set to improve further if the proposed TFL expansion plans go ahead. You will find yourself being less familiar with the Tube and need to get to grips with the area's National Rail overground stations, which can sometimes require a bit of planning to get where you want to be on time. But overground trains have their own perks, too. For a start, you're more likely to set a seat and some precious leg room! And with that being said, the area is served by a couple of Northern and District Line stations.
There are also a variety of things to see and do all year round, many of which aren't solely the preserve of tourists. From the beautiful Kew Gardens and majestic Richmond Deer Park, to the myriad commons, restaurants, and river-side bike trails, it simply isn't possible to run out of things to enjoy. South West London is also home to Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage football grounds, Sandown Race Course, and Twickenham Stadium which often hosts international rugby events.
Living in South West London pros and cons
Pro: The variety
South West London essentially can't be beaten when it comes to the sheer variety it can offer. The leafy streets of Wimbledon are beautiful and both Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth have a tranquillity about them that is a mile away from bustling city life.
Pro: Schools
South West London is home to a variety of both state and independent schools. A good percentage of state schools in Kingston upon Thames have been awarded good or outstanding Ofsted ratings. In fact, the same can also be said for Merton, Richmond upon Thames, and Wandsworth which makes this area of London one to consider for families with school-age children.
Pro: Unaffected by ULEZ
The Ultra Low Emission Zone scheme has not been rolled out to South West London, which means that owners of vehicles that don't meet emissions standards won't be forced into changing their cars or paying the £12.50 per day fee.
Con: The cost
In 2018, Kingston upon Thames had a population of 175,470. Richmond upon Thames was slightly more densely populated but as it was only home to 196,904, it was markedly less so than the likes of Enfield, Ealing, Camden and Croydon. Merton and Wandsworth have the highest populations in South West London, as they were home to 206,186 and 326,474 people respectively.
In 2018/19, the average private rental property in Kingston upon Thames cost £1,300 per month and the average house sold for £472,873. In Richmond upon Thames, average rentals during the same period were somewhat higher at £1,600 per month. Property prices were also higher, with the average home selling for £654,404. The median salary in Richmond upon Thames was calculated at £42,982, making the average rental property out of reach for many people.
Rental properties in Wandsworth were commanding the highest prices, asking on average £1,650 per month, whereas properties in Merton were being rented for an average of £1,400. Average house prices across these two areas were relatively comparable, however, coming in at £563,549 and £509,889 respectively. The median salary in Wandsworth during the same period was £41,668, making rentals of £1,650 unaffordable for many. Similarly, in Merton, the median salary was calculated as £37,026 making a £1,400 rental approximately £200 too expensive for many to afford.
Con: Air quality
All major cities have a problem with air quality and in London, South West London, unfortunately, doesn't have the cleanest air. In terms of short term exposure, most areas only exceed the recommended guidelines set out by WHO for around six days out of every 30, however, the long-term exposure picture is more concerning. In Kingston upon Thames, for example, people will be exposed to levels of pollution that are more than twice the recommended safe level.
Is South West London a safe place to live?
Although naturally, different areas of South West London have different crime rates, generally this part of London is widely considered to be one of the safer areas to live. Data from March 2020 to March 2021 illustrates that Merton, Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames have very low crime rates, which were calculated at 21.34, 19.45, and 16.44 respectively.
In the 12 months to October 2021, crime reduced in Merton by 7.56%. Crime also reduced in Kingston upon Thames by 3.58%, and by 12.47% in Richmond upon Thames. In each of these areas, violence against the person, theft, and vehicle offences are the most commonly reported crimes.
With a rate of 23.16, Wandsworth also has lower than average crime rates. Westminster experienced reasonably higher than average rates of crime, with the data showing that during the 2020/21 period, rates were sitting at 35.38.
In the 12 months to October 2021, crime in Wandsworth rose by 0.17% and, notably, crime in Westminster fell by 20.04%. Again, theft, violence against the person, and vehicle offences also make up the majority of reported crimes in this part of South West London.
Which celebrities live in South West London?
It will come as no surprise to learn that a wide variety of celebrities call South West London their home. The likes of Mick Jagger, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt and Colin Firth have opted to set up home in Richmond Park, and given that the area is both beautiful and somewhat secluded from the fast-paced lifestyle of inner-city life, this makes sense.
But did you know that Steve-O, the comedian and stunt performer was born in Wimbledon? Or that Michael McIntyre was born in Merton? In fact, many celebrities were born in South West London, including Keira Knightley in Teddington, and Nigella Lawson and Emily Blunt in Wandsworth.
So, although this part of the city isn't necessarily a hub for celeb-spotting, it certainly isn't impossible to walk into a famous face in a local restaurant or independent shop.
Things to consider when moving to South West London
If you think that South West London might be the place for you to set up home, there are several things to ensure you give plenty of thought before making any decisions. Let's run through a few of the stand-out considerations here to give you a head start on your property search…
- Property Prices
Although South West London isn't the most expensive part of the city, in relation to median salaries some property prices in particular areas may be out of reach. It is important to spend time researching different areas and determining whether your budget will allow you to enjoy the lifestyle you want in this wonderful part of London.
- Connectivity
If you're used to living in a place with more transport options than you would ever need, moving to South West London might be a bit of a shock. So, it is well worth thinking carefully about where you may need to commute to alongside some of the areas you will want to visit frequently. If you determine that transport links to those places are somewhat inconvenient, it is vital to decide whether this is a deal-breaker or a compromise you're more than willing to make.
- See for yourself
Pictures are great but you can only really get a feel for and build an understanding of a place by spending time there. So, if you think you've found an area or even a specific street that will suit your lifestyle, take the time to really explore and consider everything from facilities to connectivity with a realistic mind set.
Ultimately, South West London has its own unique charm and although it may take some getting used to, it's certain to win you over in no time at all. Provided that you're certain that you'll be willing to hop on a bus far more frequently than you've ever had to before, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the myriad benefits that come from setting up home in this part of the city.
From amazing restaurants to diverse eateries to the wide-open spaces and surprisingly short journey times to the seaside, the area has an awful lot going for it. So, whether you're living the single life or have a young family, South West London could give you all you've ever dreamed of, and perhaps a few extra surprises, too!
