Arguably, the best places to live in West London are the tranquil green streets of Notting Hill. It is an oasis of classic Victorian terraced homes and walled communal gardens nestled into the heart of the capital. When you walk through the streets you can hardly believe you are just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Selling a house here is every West London estate agents dream.
Living in this affluent inner-city suburb comes at a price with the majority of the region available only to London's most wealthy residents. If you’re lucky enough to be able to afford living here, expect to bump into a couple of A-list celebrities while nipping to the local shops in the morning.
Prices in this district start at £500,000 for a small flat and can rise to £12,000,000 or more for a five bedroom masterpiece. Rentals begin at £300 per week for a small studio flat and soar to the dizzying heights of £20,000 a week. If you tell someone you live here it will probably be met by raised eyebrows and the words: “very nice.”
The area was developed by James Weller Ladbroke in the 19th Century, transforming pig farms into a city suburb to house the rich middle class. After the Second World War the area began to take a downward spiral into slum housing and was considered one of the worst places to live in London. It wasn't until the economic boom times of the 1980s that the area was transformed back to its former glory.
One of the biggest draws for people who want to live in Notting Hill today is the fact that it still retains much of its vibrant cultural heritage that it was once infamous for. Young and old, rich or poor, there really is something for everyone. The streets of Notting Hill attract people from all over London and the rest of the world for its high quality shopping, the world famous Portobello Road market and one of the biggest events on the London social calendar, the Notting Hill Carnival.
Laying at the heart of Notting Hill is the highly sought-after area of Ladbroke Grove and the surrounding streets to the east and west. Residents here get exclusive access to the beautiful communal gardens enclosed by their homes. The properties here sell at such a premium interior designers know no bounds. It’s only the Notting Hill estate agents who can imagine the opulent beauty which lies behind those stucco brick walls.
In the end, if you can afford to live here it’s worth holding out for the right home but you are unlikely to find one that would need many alterations. People selling in this area know that, in a competitive market, design adds value. So, each flat, house or maisonette will probably be as individual as the previous owner. Expect to be amazed by the diversity and dazzled by the choice. Follow your heart and you are sure to find the place perfect for you.
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