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Every Londoner reckons their postcode is the best in the city. But as custodians of all things London, here at Time Out we know that every neighbourhood is home to stuff worth shouting about, stuff that means you can fall in love with your area, whether it’s north, south, east or west.
But if you’re looking to move to the Big Smoke and want to narrow down your options, we get it. The Sunday Times has released its selection of the very best places to live in the UK in 2025 to help you pick a place that’s right for you. Seven areas in London made the cut for things like their green spaces, cultural offerings, friendly residents and culinary scenes. So, let’s get into it.
😎 RECOMMENDED: The coolest neighbourhood in London, according to Time Out
Walthamstow
Walthamstow was the Times’ overall winner. The paper called it ‘diverse, vibrant and cool without being frosty’ and said it ‘encapsulates so much of what’s great about the capital’ with ‘bustling hangouts, independent shops, beautiful parkland and handsome houses’. It’s true – Stow has an array of fantastic places to eat (Etles and Yard Sale Pizza are two of our faves), hosts what’s thought to be the longest street market in Europe and this spring will become home to Soho Theatre’s new sister venue.
If you’re thinking of making the move to E17 (where properties are an average of £532,800), you can also look forward to a new shopping and leisure destination under disused arches and brand new community saunas opening in a few months time. ’Stow was named Time Out’s coolest neighbourhood in London way back in 2022.
Bloomsbury
The Sunday Times then listed the best of the rest in alphabetical order, starting with Bloomsbury. The paper called this central neighbourhood the ‘brainiest place to live in London’, owing to the University of London and British Museum. This is also where you’ll find the delicious likes of Noble Rot, Fortitude Bakehouse and Cafe Deco.
The area is getting a big £400m boost over the next five years with new hotels and renovations planned. Right now, its average property price is £650,100. The Times said: ‘Part of Bloomsbury’s charm lies in its relaxed and (relatively) under-the-radar vibe, while students attending UCL, Birkbeck, Soas and Rada bring a youthful feel to the streets and squares.’
East Dulwich
East Dulwich was the Times’ next pic for the city’s best places to live. A stone’s throw from the more urban Peckham, with an average property price of £817,800, the paper said of the postcode: ‘While there are telltale signs of gentrification [...] this remains a genuine neighbourhood with a distinct identity.’ A Time Out, we’re particularly big fans of the East Dulwich Tavern and Greek joint Evi’s.
Stoke Newington
Heading north-east again, Stoke Newington made the cut for being ‘happening yet homely, creative yet cosy, funky yet family-friendly’. It’s got the gorgeous Clissold Park, the sister venue of Time Out favourite Next Door Records, the outstanding Rasa restaurant and the excellent Auld Shillelagh pub, to name but a few things worth living in Stokey for.
Telegraph Hill
The ‘tranquil conservation area’ of Telegraph Hill. If you’re wondering what your neighbours would be like if you moved here, the Times calls them a ‘creative, bohemian’ and ‘tight-knit’ bunch. Property here is around the £550,000 mark. The paper gave a shoutout to the area’s lovely green spaces, its alfresco acoustic afternoon Chill on the Hill and the nearby Peckhamplex. It’s also just a short walk from Nunhead, where you’ll find London’s first co-operatively owned pub and Time Out fave, the Ivy House.
Twickenham and Wembley
The final two spots on the Times’ pick of London’s best places to live are way out west. Twickenham for its ‘proximity to royal parks (Richmond and Bushy), roomy redbrick houses and its family-friendly appeal’ and Wembley for being ‘one of London’s most brunchtastic neighbourhoods thanks to a two-decade, £2.8 billion development of the area around the stadium that ends in 2027’.
You can see the full top 72 places to live in the UK here and read more about each area in the Sunday Times’ original article here.
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