Living in central London is something many people aspire to and it is easy to see why. The capital offers excellent career opportunities for professionals and creatives, who can enjoy a host of cultural and gastronomic experiences in the city. Living in the City might be expensive and property prices nealry unaffordable but what a life….
London is one of the most exciting cities in the Western world and you are sure to find plenty to do outside working hours. It has a huge selection of pubs, with venues that range from the ultra fashionable to the reassuringly old fashioned, and a wide variety of nightlife to try.
You will never be short of somewhere to eat in the capital, whatever kind of food you like. If you are looking for an upmarket meal, there are more than 40 Michelin-starred restaurants, including Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, both of which have the maximum three stars.
Only the billionaires of Chelsea can dine in eateries like that on a regular basis, but don’t worry, as there are a host of more affordable venues within walking distance of flats in central London, with many local Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants dishing up high-quality food.
After you’ve dined, you will be able to take in some live entertainment, as world-class performers appear in London virtually every night of the year. If you want to see big-name musicians, take a look at what’s on at the O2 Arena, but if you are searching for the next big thing, there are lots of intimate venues to choose from.
There is also, of course, the West End theatres to consider for a night out. You can choose anything from hugely successful musicals, such as Chicago and The Lion King, to works from unknown playwrights and new productions of Shakespeare.
Culture vultures are sure to love the capital’s art galleries and museums, which are among the best selections you will find anywhere in Europe. Venues such as Tate Modern, the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert are places you can return to time and again. If you can’t afford to actually live in the Capital full-time, there is always the option of renting short-term through Airbnb and the like.
Shopping is another major plus point of living in central London, particularly if you are interested in fashion. As well as all the major chains and luxury department stores like Selfridges, there are scores of exclusive boutiques selling cutting edge couture.
There are also a number of practical reasons for choosing a home in the centre of the city, including getting to work. While public transport links in the capital are good, the tube and buses get very busy at peak times, so being close enough to walk to the office is a real benefit.
These are among the reasons why so many people are trying to move to the capital and the London housing market continues to perform well for investors and owner-occupiers. A quick flick through the property news sections of the newspapers will tell you that values have continued to climb, with Land Registry figures showing an average 2.7 per cent rise in prices over the 12 months to the end of September 2024.
Demand for homes in central London means rents are also rising quickly – 14.5 per cent over the last 12 months, according to the FindaProperty index – which shows the importance of acting quickly to identify a suitable property and sign a long-term lease if you are planning to move to the capital.