The affluent residential district of West Hampstead occupies an enviable position on the western side of the borough of Camden. Located between Swiss Cottage and Brondesbury, the area is also close to the areas of Hampstead, Belsize Park and Kilburn.
In 2021, sold prices in West Hampstead reached an overall average of £802,718. This makes the area notably more affordable than the borough's most expensive area which is Primrose Hill with its average property price of £1,902,317. However, the area is considerably less affordable than High Holborn, which recorded an average price of £557,500 during the same period.
Flats were the most commonly sold type of property in West Hampstead during 2021, reaching an average price of £667,442. Average prices for terraced properties in the area were £1,577,032, and the average semi-detached property fetched £2,108,500. Overall, property prices in West Hampstead have fallen slightly in recent years and they are currently 4% lower than in 2020, and 2% below the peak seen in 2018 when the average property sold for £817,844.
What is living in West Hampstead like?
Positioned between Childs Hill, Hampstead, Frognal, South Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, Cricklewood and Kilburn, West Hampstead is an ideal location for both young professionals and families keen to put down some lasting roots just outside of the centre of London.
Residential streets cover much of the area, however the areas around West End Green and West End Lane are home to a small selection of cafés, shops, bakeries, and restaurants. As a result there is a strong sense of community in the area which is very welcoming. When popping outside, you are just as likely to see a young professional getting home from work as you are to see a young family going to the playground or a retired couple taking their dog to the park.
Hampstead Heath is just two tube stops away and it's possible to reach the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre in just 10 minutes on foot, which has a wide variety of activities on offer including climbing walls, fitness classes, and several swimming pools.
Living in West Hampstead pros and cons
Pro: Variety of transport options
West Hampstead is served by three stations. West Hampstead overground station is positioned on the North London Line, which runs between Finchley Road & Frognal, and Brondesbury. The station offers services to Clapham Junction, Richmond and Stratford, and benefits from excellent bus connectivity.
West Hampstead Underground station is on the Jubilee line, which runs between Stratford and Stanmore. The line also offers connectivity to the West End, the South Bank, and Docklands. Several bus routes serve this station, simplifying commutes for many residents.
The West Hampstead Thameslink railway station is located on the Midland Main Line which offers services to a range of destinations including Rainham, Sutton, Gatwick Airport, Brighton, Luton, and Bedford.
Con: Located within the ULEZ Zone
Drivers who want to continue using vehicles that do not conform to the standards set out by the scheme will be forced to pay the £12.50 daily charge. There is some good news though as West Hampstead offers several electric vehicle charging points for motorists keen to make the switch. As the public transport options on offer are so varied, you may prefer to ditch the car completely.
Pro: Good selection of amenities
While West Hampstead is exceptionally well connected to other parts of the city, there is also no reason to leave the local area if you don't want to. By this we mean that you'll find plenty of shops to pick up all your essentials, and a range of both eat-in and take-away dining options. Nearby Kilburn Grange Park is lovely, with its beautiful flower beds, tennis courts, and dog-friendly atmosphere.
Con: Poor air quality
Unfortunately, despite being within the ULEZ zone, air pollution in the area can exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended levels on at many as 14 days out of every 30. This can lead to long-term exposure that are more than three times the recommended levels.
Is West Hampstead a safe place to live?
There were 2,375 crimes recorded in West Hampstead between January 2020 and December 2021. This places the area on a par with crime in the likes of Swiss Cottage and Kilburn but cases are much lower here than in Camden Town with Primrose Hill, Bloomsbury, and Holborn and Covent Garden.
Incidents of theft and violent crimes were most common, accounting for 623 and 566 reports respectively. There were also relatively high instances of burglary, vehicle offences and public order offences. Crime in the West Hampstead area peaked in July 2021 after rising steadily from February 2021. Since July 2021, however, crime levels have generally been on the decline with the area recording 110 crimes in November 2021 and 89 crimes in December 2021.
In November 2021, West Hampstead recorded 8 crimes per 1,000 residents, which was on par with London as a whole, and lower than the borough of Camden, which recorded 12 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Which celebrities live in West Hampstead?
Four blue plaques have been installed on properties in the West Hampstead area, which commemorate the notable people who once lived there. Ophthalmologist Dame Ida Mann has a blue plaque at 13 Minster Road, newspaper magnate Alfred Harmsworth has a plaque at 31 Pandora Road, and painter David Bomberg's plaque can be seen at 10 Fordwych Road.
However, the area's celebrity connections don't end there. Musicians Joan Armatrading, Chaka Khan, Dua Lipa, and Dusty Springfield have all lived in West Hampstead, as have comedians Matt Lucas, Johnny Vegas, and Barry Humphries. A number of actors have also called West Hampstead home at some point including Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, and Greg Wise.
Things to consider when moving to West Hampstead
The areas around Canfield Gardens and Compayne Gardens are positioned within the area's conservation zone, which is home to an array of delightful Edwardian and Victorian properties with red brick walls, stained glass, colourful front doors, and beautiful private communal gardens. As you might expect competition amongst potential buyers in this part of West Hampstead is extremely high.
The good news is that the area has a wide variety of different types of property on offer including numerous flats and apartments, some of which are incredibly spacious and located within older properties that have been sympathetically converted. Family properties are often especially popular, largely due to the selection of high-quality schools in the area. As well as a range of independent schooling options, there are also excellent state schools with a one mile radius.
Some of the most popular primary schools include Kingsgate Primary School and St Eugene de Mazenod Roman Catholic Primary School, both of which have been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. There are also 'Outstanding' rated secondary schools in the area including St George's Catholic School.
While the area does have a few notable attractions, including the Freud Museum, the residential nature of West Hampstead means that it isn't a particularly touristy spot. Again, this is a big draw for many potential residents and as such further adds to the competitive property market. With that said, there is a noticeably younger vibe here than in nearby Hampstead, which is even more laid back.