Are you a City Slicker or Rural Villager? Three Spots in London that won’t make you choose

Written by Posted On Thursday, 15 March 2018 06:08

"Living in London" usually conjures images of towering apartment blocks and hemmed-in townhouses on busy streets. Even guides that are supposed to help you decide where to buy will tell you that your options are a brand-new development or a part of town that you will never be able to afford.

What a lot of people don’t realise, is that the city is littered with tranquil, relatively affordable enclaves, where historic villages continue to offer their residents a quiet life with a rural feel. And why would you know about them? These idyllic communities have only survived in the city for so long because their residents know to keep their existence on the down-low.

So, if you’re aching for the countryside but can’t face a long commute into the capital each day, here are three of the best spots where you don’t have to compromise.

Dulwich Village (SE21)

A true enclave from the noise and stress of the capital, Dulwich Village feels miraculously remote for its Zone 2 location. Beautifully manicured cottages line picturesque streets, and surrounding swathes of green space (thanks to the area’s conservation status) give Dulwich Village a rural ambience.

Just south of Peckham but north of the main part of Dulwich, Dulwich Village sits in somewhat of a dead zone for tube routes. There aren’t any Underground stations within a 2-mile radius, so reaching the heart of Dulwich Village is best done via buses or National Rail services. Luckily there is a choice of stations (East Dulwich, North Dulwich and West Dulwich) which run trains to London Bridge and Victoria in less than 15 minutes.

Idyllic for commuters and growing families, Dulwich Village has managed to remain fairly low-key and average house prices are competitive for such a nice part of the city. Flats are likely to cost you around £460k (although attractive 2-beds can be found for £350k) and 3-bed family properties start at around £500k.

Little Venice (W9)

As you might imagine, Little Venice is London’s answer to the tranquil waterways of its Italian namesake. The pretty waterways are lined with inviting pubs, cafes and restaurants, making this area one of the most enviable locations in the city come summertime.

Just north of Paddington train station and to the west of Regent’s Park, Little Venice is best reached via Warwick Avenue Underground Station (Zone 2, Bakerloo line). It’s in the wider area of Maida Vale, which is home to a wide range of properties and tends to attract wealthy individuals involved with the London music and media scene and growing families, drawn to residences with access to private gardens.

The high levels of demand mean that a home in Maida Vale or Little Venice won’t come cheap. Expect a flat to set you back £750-900k and a detached family home to cost anywhere up to £4million.

Columbia Road (E2)

You might recognise the name from the famous flower market held on Columbia Road every Sunday, which tends to dominate any outsider review of the area. As far as the locals are concerned, that’s absolutely fine – it keeps the streets free from tourists for the rest of the week so that the gorgeous independent boutiques and cafes are reserved for residents only.

Fringing the borders of trendsetting hotspots like Shoreditch, Old Street and Bethnal Green, the independent boutiques and cafes of Columbia Road offer a more grown-up kind of eclectic, even without the weekly burst of blooms. The nearest rail station is Hoxton (Zone 2, Overground), but it’s easier to reach Columbia Road using any one of the numerous bus routes that travel past.

If you can snap up a home in this enviable area, expect to pay in the region of £500-£600k for a one or two-bedroom flat. Houses are almost impossible to come by, but if you head slightly west towards Shoreditch you might be able to find a terrace or semi-detached property for about £2.6million.

All three of these hidden gems are 40 minutes or less from the City, making it perfectly possible to enjoy a rural retreat (not to mention a work-life balance) without having to move your family out of London.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Liam Houghton

Liam Houghton is a home inspection expert with 7 years of experience working with South East England Surveyors. 

Agent Resource

Limited time offer - 50% off - click here

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.