Where are the best places to buy property in London? Even during a global pandemic, a fresh divorce from the EU, and an uptick in demand for rural locations, the capital is still a hotspot for investment. That’s why we’ve listed five of the best areas in London to purchase bricks and mortar.  

5 Best Places to Buy Property in London: 2021 Edition

Last year, we recommended five areas to consider if you’re buying a home in the capital. Hackney, Whitechapel, Battersea, Kilburn and Richmond all featured on the list, and guess what? Twelve months on, and all five areas saw capital growth.

So if you bought a home in one of the featured neighbourhoods, it’s already worth more – especially in Richmond, where house prices grew an impressive 11.5 per cent last year. And so we come to the 2021 edition of the best places to buy property in London. 

Read on, and discover which areas offer investment opportunities this year, as well as simply being great places to live. 

Brixton

Hackney led the way on our list last year, but 2021 features what many call the E8 postcode’s South London equivalent. Brixton is a melting pot of cultures and perfectly blends trendy hotspot vibes with authentic roots. 

It’s one of the few South London neighbourhoods with a tube station, meaning it’s well connected to central London (tubes to Victoria take just 10 minutes). Yet, there’s so much more to the SW9 postcode than it’s travel links. From the iconic Ritzy Cinema to a nightlife scene that more than matches Hackney and Shoreditch, Brixton is an entertainment hub for young professionals. 

A mixture of charming period properties and new-build apartments offer a varied choice of housing. And property prices have skyrocketed over the last 10 years, growing by a whopping 64 per cent. The average cost of a Brixton home currently sits at £599k. 

Dulwich

Once upon a time, the idea of crossing over to the south side of the river was akin to leaving the capital altogether. These days, however, many South London postcodes have become in-demand neighbourhoods. Take Dulwich, an affluent part of southeast London which was recently described as somewhere with a “village feel and green appeal” by the Financial Times. 

Spacious period homes, woodlands and parks and independent boutiques make up Dulwich; an area often referred to as South London’s version of Hampstead. House prices are much more affordable than the NW3 postcode, though, and you can pick up an apartment for an average price of around £400,000. 

Dulwich offers a village-like feel, which appeals to many homeowners during the pandemic who want to live closer to open space but aren’t quite ready to commit to leaving London altogether. And while there’s no tube or overground access in Dulwich, residents are well served by several train stations with direct services into the centre of town. 

Walthamstow

Walthamstow is proving to be popular with younger families who are moving to the East London neighbourhood for its strong collection of schools. But there’s also plenty of reason to consider the E17 postcode if you’re a young professional: a sign of any good area is when it appeals to a wide range of tastes. 

Like so many East London neighbourhoods, Walthamstow has its own unique quirks similar to what you’ll find in Dalston, Hackney and Shoreditch – only without the hefty price tag. Browse the longest market in Europe, which runs the length of the high street, and make sure you visit God’s Own Junkyard, a neon sign shop full of vibrancy. The average price of a home in Walthamstow is £544,000. 

Plans for a redesigned town centre, along with a plethora of new homes means Walthamnstow’s appeal will increase further over the next few years as developers continue to realise the area’s potential. It’s also well connected, with two tube stations on the Victoria Line and trains into the City. 

Highgate

An already well-established area, Highgate has seen its popularity skyrocket in the wake of Covid. It’s one of the few areas that can offer vast open space, spacious houses and a tube line with direct services into central London and the City. 

With its cosy high street, gastropubs and independent shops, Highgate is more like a countryside village than London neighbourhood. Yet, it’s only four miles to the centre of the capital, making it a popular choice for those who want to be close to the action while enjoying peaceful surroundings. 

The average home in Highgate costs £1.3 million, but prices have seen an astonishing 217 per cent increase over the last 20 years. With so many people seeking more space, the N6 postcode is in high demand with buyers who have larger budgets.

Stratford

You can’t have a list of places to buy property in London without including an area along the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail). Even though London’s latest transport method is much delayed, we promise it does exist, and the first stations are currently set to open this year. 

In East London, Stratford is one of the neighbourhoods set to have a stop on the Elizabeth Line. After plenty of regeneration during the last 10 years, the area is fast becoming a hotspot for young professionals. 

Everything in Stratford feels shiny and new, and there are thousands of new homes either built or in construction. Amenities and open spaces like Queen Elizabeth Park and 375ft-tall ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture add to the appeal, while travel connections are unrivalled compared to other many East London areas. 

Stratford’s average price is still relatively affordable (by London standards!), with homes costing around £450,000. Since hosting the Olympics in 2012, Stratford’s property prices have shot up by an impressive 66 per cent. 

Living in London

There are many investment opportunities in the capital for all types of budgets. Whether you’re looking to take advantage of a great deal when buying or hope to extract the maximum value from of your home, it’s vital that you use the right estate agent. 

At Helmsmen, we handpick agents who have the most relevant needs for your property, be it a three-bedroom end-of-terrace house or stylish penthouse apartment in the City. By having the most experienced person, you know you’re getting the right agent for the home you want to buy or sell.