As one of the largest cities in the United Kingdom and Europe, it will come as no surprise thatLondon neighborhoodsare some of the wealthiest and most expensive in the world. Nestled into the heart of this sprawling metropolis, living in these areas may come with a high price tag attached, but with some of London’s most sought-after green spaces, upmarket shopping streets, and world-renowned restaurants on your doorstep, it can be a price worth paying for many.
Read on to find out exactly what the richest neighborhoods in London have to offer in the way of opulence, wealth, and lifestyle. We hope you’ll love living in London!
Luxury Apartments in London
1- Mayfair
Made up of expensive Georgian townhouses, elite hotels, and gourmet restaurants, the neighborhood of Mayfair has long been one of the most expensive neighborhoods in London.
Sitting side by side with Hyde Park and Green Park, the balance of open greenery and historic opulence has created one of the most popular places to live for the London rich. As well as the many wealthy Georgian homes, Mayfair is also home to the world-famous tailor district of Savile Row.
New Bond Street is Mayfair’s premier shopping district, housing some of the most luxurious shops and outlets. Many have noted that Mayfair’s New Bond Street is the most expensive stretch of retail in Europe after the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The much-loved balance of greenery, quiet cobbled streets, and luxurious restaurants and shops makes Mayfair one of the most expensive neighborhoods in London and one of the most popular for those who can afford it.
2- Knightsbridge
Lying just south of London’s Hyde Park, the neighborhood of Knightsbridge is the epitome of luxury.
Arguably the neighborhood’s most famous institution is the Harrods department store, a luxury shopping destination with everything from exclusive designer collections by Gucci and Prada to works of art curated by Andy Warhol himself.
Knightsbridge also plays host to banks that deal with some of the world’s wealthiest individuals, which makes it no surprise that the average house price can be upwards of 2.8 million pounds.
A mix of world embassies, iconic department stores, and fine dining restaurants makes Knightsbridge one of the most luxurious-looking neighborhoods in all of the capital.
With so much available to the wealthy, it is no surprise that this neighborhood is considered one of the most expensive neighborhoods in London.
3- Chelsea
Chelsea is one of London’s better-known, wealthy neighborhoods, and it is easy to see why.
Much like the capital’s other luxurious neighborhoods, Chelsea is home to extravagant properties, many of which cost upwards of 2 million pounds.
This affluent area of London has become one of the most popular for the rich and famous, home to celebrities from the film world and musicians, including ex-Beatles and Rolling Stones members.
Chelsea has all of the hallmarks of your usual wealthy neighborhood but also boasts a more artistic side to its streets.
Not only do its creative residents put their twist on the opulent streets, but Chelsea is also home to the King’s Road, which was once considered to be the epicenter of counter-culture movements.
Now Chelsea’s premier shopping street, the gentrification of King’s Road blends seamlessly with Chelsea’s rich and luxurious neighborhood streets.
4- Kensington
Joining Chelsea to its north is the neighborhood of Kensington, which is also part of the same borough. A lot like Chelsea, Kensington is one of the richest neighborhoods in London yet has a slightly more cosmopolitan feel to it.
Firstly, Kensington comprises many stately Victorian buildings, most famously the Royal Albert Hall, which hosts concerts of all genres, from classical music to pop.
Throughout the neighborhood of Kensington, you will find iconic landmarks and institutions, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the lavishly furnished Kensington Palace.
Kensington’s residents are a reflection of the wealth that can be found here, with many homes belonging to well-known businessmen and women, along with many politicians. Alongside the affluent residential areas, Kensington also has a booming nightlife scene, with the Kensington Roof Gardens complex taking the top spot for places to go in the area.
This oasis of gardens, clubs, and bars, which sit 100 feet above the city streets only adds to the neighborhood’s exclusivity.
5- Notting Hill
Notting Hill, arguably made famous by the 1999 rom-com, is one of the richest neighborhoods in London, yet it has not always been this way.
Originally a post-war neighborhood for poorer families and Caribbean immigrants, the neighborhood went through a series of gentrification through the 21st century and has now become one of West London’s most affluent neighborhoods.
Known for its famous Notting Hill Carnival (takes place in the last weekend of August) and the Portobello Road, Notting Hill still retains its sense of bohemian culture, irrespective of its now affluent society.
As one of the most expensive neighborhoods in London, Notting Hill attracts those who want to live within an opulent neighborhood but with a tinge of trendiness and hipness.
This is only increased by the huge range of brightly colored buildings, music venues, theatres, and boutique shops.
6- Highbury
The north London neighborhood of Highbury stands out as one of the greenest of the affluent London neighborhoods.
Located in the leafy districts north of the city, Highbury has an almost suburban feel to it, adding to its popularity within the wealthy community. Enjoying the perks of its proximity to the center of London, but located far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, gives Highbury a village-esque ambiance.
The sweeping green spaces of Highbury Feilds add an idyllic counterweight to the urban London neighborhood.
Home of the English football team Arsenal, Highbury has a long and textured history, again, making it a popular place to settle for those with a love of the capital and its long ties to the sport.
Those who look for more conventional social entertainment will be spoilt by the array of restaurants, cafes, and pubs that make the social scene in Highbury what it is.
Although Highbury has become one of the richest neighborhoods in London, it hasn’t any of the pretenses that may come with wealthier neighborhoods.
7- Covent Garden
Renowned as the entertainment center of the British capital, Covent Garden has long been a hub for all things artistic and entertaining in London.
The large neighborhood revolves around a car-free plaza that encourages outdoor arts and performance. Most notably, Covent Garden is home to the Royal Opera House, one of the most famous institutions in London, which only adds to the economic credibility and wealth of the neighborhood.
Again, Covent Garden is a neighborhood seen as somewhere you visit rather than live, and this limited number of residential properties has only aided the rise in house and apartment prices.
The economic boost provided by street entertainers, tourists, theatres, and more, blends perfectly with the range of European restaurants and bars that are scattered throughout the district.
This beehive of entertainment is what makes Covent Garden one of the most expensive neighborhoods in London.
Only in a global city such as London can you find such a neighborhood that is oiled by the flow of entertainment and performance art, turning what would be a residential neighborhood into a playground for the arts.
8- City of London
TheCity of Londonis the capital’s oldest neighborhood and the original settlement that grew into the modern cosmopolitan metropolis we see today.
The city, or Square Mile, as it is commonly known, is the heart of the city and is London’s financial and business center. Much like the US Wall Street, the intense financial connection with its streets and local industries means that the City of London is one of the richest neighborhoods in London and popular amongst young, successful professionals.
Although considered to be the center of London, City has 33 times more workers than residents and is a place to work rather than live.
The economy of the City of London, irrespective of the financial hub, relies on workers dining and drinking in the local neighborhood. This has given rise to a bustling City of London cafe, pub, and restaurant scene, only adding to the prosperity of the City of London.
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FAQs
What is the most expensive suburb in London? ›
Kensington and Chelsea
This residential area is classed as London's most luxurious borough. What is this? The prices of houses here can go up to £30 million, although the average cost is around £1.4 million.
1- Mayfair
Sitting side by side with Hyde Park and Green Park, the balance of open greenery and historic opulence has created one of the most popular places to live for the London rich. As well as the many wealthy Georgian homes, Mayfair is also home to the world-famous tailor district of Savile Row.
As a rule west London is prettier, as well as richer. Take Portobello Market, which is a beautiful sight all year round. The architecture is different here, too. While east London is full of tower blocks, west London is home to more celebrities and comes with a more glamorous, wealthy capital city feel.
Where do middle class live in London? ›Fulham and Putney
With its picturesque Victorian houses and proximity to the King's Road and Chelsea, Fulham is a desirable suburb popular with middle-class families as well as young professionals. Putney is just south of Fulham, over the river, and is popular with Australians, New Zealanders and South African expats.
Chelsea and Kensington have always been the most luxurious of London's neighbourhoods, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see why so many celebrities live here.
What is the richest street in London? ›Head over to Phillimore Gardens, in Kensington and Chelsea, London, and the average house will set you back £23.8m – a whopping 83 times the national average property price. According to mortgage lender Halifax, Phillimore Gardens is officially the most expensive street in the UK.
What is the nicest neighborhood in London? ›- Knightsbridge. Knightsbridge is one of the poshest neighborhoods in the world. ...
- West Brompton. ...
- Kensington. ...
- Chelsea. ...
- City of Westminster.
- Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham.
- Westminster.
- Camden and City of London.
- Wandsworth.
- Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.
| Rank | City | Total Millionaires |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maidenhead | 7,923 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 5,742 |
| 3 | London | 329,002 |
| 4 | Cheltenham | 4,112 |
The richest and most expensive neighbourhoods in London are definitely Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, and Knightsbridge! These neighbourhoods are known for their fashionable and expensive shops and restaurants, as well as being home to many of the richest people in the world.
Where do millionaires go in London? ›
It's also home to some of the richest neighbourhoods in the world, with Park Lane alone ranking as one of London's most expensive streets. There are four neighbourhoods in London which are known as some of the most expensive areas in the capital: Mayfair, Kensington, Belgravia and Chelsea.
Why North London is better than south? ›North London is a good choice if you're commuting northwards for work, maybe to Luton or Cambridge. If you're working in the city itself, it's equally good. North London, for example, gives you excellent access to the West End, legendary for its shopping and theatres, where the world's best shows live.
Where do most foreigners live in London? ›Two of its most popular areas for foreigners looking to live and work in London include High Street Kensington and South Kensington.
Where should an American live in London? ›These days, East London is considered to be diverse, vibrant and artistic and this can make it a great place to live as an expat. There are also areas in East London that can be more affordable than other areas, but there are also some trendy and expensive areas like Shoreditch.
What is considered upper class in London? ›The British "upper class" is statistically very small and consists of the peerage, gentry and hereditary landowners, among others.
Where do you see famous people in London? ›Groucho Club. “Groucho Club” are bywords for “famous people”. As soon as you're inside the bar, you're required to turn your phone off and hand over any cameras you might have in case you accidentally catch a celebrity doing something they don't want the tabloids to see.
Where do British actors live in London? ›It goes without saying that the vast majority of British celebrities live in London, but international names call the UK home, too. The exclusive boroughs of Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Kensington are home to plenty of mega-famous names, while some stars opt for palatial, rural homes in the city's green belt.
What is the most expensive postcode in London? ›London's most expensive postcodes
Seeing WK1 topping the list seeing an average asking price of over £7 million. Whilst closely behind lays Hanover Square's W1S and Belgravia's SW1X postcodes, each with average asking prices of over £6 million.
West London is typically seen as the more posh side of the city, while East London is known for being a bit more gritty.
Who are London's elite? ›We are a basketball club focused on developing the best talent from London. We practice at Capital City Academy in Northwest London.
Who lives in billionaires row London? ›
Residents. Owners of houses on the street include the Sultan of Brunei and members of the House of Bolkiah, publisher and newspaper magnate Richard Desmond, art collector and philanthropist Poju Zabludowicz, industrialist Lakshmi Mittal, and property tycoon Andreas Panayiotou.
What's the Brooklyn of London? ›Camden is hip, funky, a little gritty, and full of young people, which is why I call it the Brooklyn of London. It's only a short tube ride from central London and a great place to walk around and get away from the hustle and bustle.
What US city has the most millionaires? ›New York is the wealthiest city in the world—home to 345,600 millionaires with a total private wealth that exceeds $3 trillion. New York is home to many Fortune 500 companies and is the financial heart of the United States, with the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ located in the Big Apple.
Where do old money families live? ›An overwhelming majority (approximately 96 percent) of the top 1 percent are concentrated in major metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles. However, a few outliers exist in suburban and even rural areas.
Where do most white people live in London? ›Whites form a majority of London's population and are evenly spread. Bromley has the highest White British population as well as highest total White, while Newham has the lowest for both.
Are Londoners wealthy? ›London is one of the most popular cities in the world, and it's also one of the most expensive ones, so, it's no surprise that some of its residents are among the wealthiest people on the planet.
Where do French people live in London? ›Of the French-born people recorded by the 2011 census, 66,654 (48.4 per cent) lived in Greater London and 22,584 (16.4 per cent) in South East England. Within London, particular concentrations were recorded in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham.
Where did the rich live in Victorian London? ›The wealthy Victorian's townhouse
Wealthy Victorian families lived in large detached and semi-detached townhouses with room for servants. Reception rooms were high-ceilinged and designed to impress guests. They had elaborately moulded cornices and marble fireplaces.
Not only does London have more attractions (492) vs. New York City's attractions (295) according to TripAdvisor, many of London's attractions are free. This makes London seem like the better tourist destination, but it depends on your interests. If you plan to visit a lot of museums, London is the better city for you.
Is North London the posh part? ›A new survey of Londoners reveals a tale of four cities: The West is posh, the East is poor, the South is rough and the North is intellectual. 1,294 Londoners were shown a list of adjectives and asked which four they most associate with each area of London - East, West, North and South.
What is North London known for? ›
North London is also known for its characterful buildings, the artistic structures and historical monuments. From the British Library to the Lord's Stadium, tourists attractions in North London are celebrated for their amazing design and structural composition in addition to their historical and cultural significance.
Where do most Americans live UK? ›The largest single local cluster of Americans in the UK recorded by the 2001 UK Census was in Mildenhall in North-West Suffolk—the site of RAF Mildenhall and nearby RAF Lakenheath. This is because of the legacy of the Cold War and NATO cooperation. 17.28% of Mildenhall's population were born in the United States.
What percent of London is white? ›White British people are the minority in London and Birmingham, the UK's two largest cities, for the first time since records began, according to new census figures. The white British population of London made up 37% of the capital in 2021, or 4.5 million, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS.
What percent of London is black? ›46% of Londoners are Black and Minority Ethnic and 41% are not born in the UK. West London has the highest proportion (53%) of its population that are Black and Minority Ethnic and 47% who are not UK-born.
Is it cheaper to live in London than the US? ›Although the latest statistics from the World Population Review rank the United States as a slightly more expensive country to live in than the UK, it is important to note that this is on average, and the cost of living varies widely across the USA.
Which city in the US looks like London? ›While Boston fought hard to separate itself from British rule in the 18th century, the city undeniably reflects the charm and culture of London. Brick colonial homes along cobblestone streets, unique cuisine, and host of some of the world's greatest educational institutions offer a little taste of the city from home.
How long can a US citizen stay in the UK? ›You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.
What is a 6 figure salary UK? ›a salary of between 100,000 and 999,999 pounds, dollars, etc. a year: As a lawyer she can earn a good six-figure salary.
What is a high earner salary UK? ›Low pay and high pay
For example, median hourly earnings for all employees in 2022 are £14.77, therefore low-pay employees are anyone earning below two-thirds of £14.77, which is £9.85. High-pay employees are those earning anything above 1.5 times £14.77, which is £22.16.
top quintile: £54,000. second highest quintile: £35,700. middle quintile: £26,800.
What is the most popular suburb in London? ›
Belgravia
Located in Central London, within both Westminster, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, this district is one of the most exclusive in London. It is such a luxurious neighbourhood that it is even known throughout the world to be the best area in London to live.
A sprawling, four-acre property in Regent's Park is set to become London's most expensive house sale ever. Agents selling the 205-year-old mansion are reported to be asking for as much as £250 million ($300 million), topping the previous record for a residential sale of £210 million ($252 million).
Where are the richest houses in London? ›- The Apprentice mansion, Daleham Gardens, Hampstead.
- Cornwall Terrace, Regents Park.
- House of Gucci, Grafton Street, Mayfair.
- Chelsea Barracks, Belgravia.
- Park Modern, Queensway.
- Avenue Road, St John's Wood.
- Sloane House, Chelsea.
- Primrose Hill. ...
- Highgate. ...
- Mayfair. ...
- Marylebone. ...
- St Katharine Docks. ...
- Greenwich. ...
- Chiswick. ...
- Richmond. South of Chiswick, Richmond is one of the most beautiful places in the city, not only for its pretty riverfront but also for its stunning park.
West London is typically seen as the more posh side of the city, while East London is known for being a bit more gritty.
Which part of London has the nicest people? ›...
Here's a full list of boroughs, in order of friendly to not (as) friendly:
- Greenwich.
- Barnet.
- Merton.
- Kensington and Chelsea.
- Hillingdon.
- Croydon.
- Brent.
- Westminster.
1. Kensington. Having been voted the UK's best place to live, Kensington is an affluent part of west London. Along with world-class shopping facilities and beautiful green spaces, you'll be close to some of London's most popular attractions.
What is the coolest neighborhood in London? ›- Hackney Wick. Hackney Wick is first on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London. ...
- Hackney. Next on my my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London is Hackney. ...
- Shoreditch. Shoreditch is another of the coolest neighborhoods in London. ...
- Spitalfields. ...
- Walthamstow. ...
- Tottenham.
Virginia Water, Surrey
Virginia Water in Surrey consistently ranks among the highest value towns in England outside of London, according to Zoopla.
Witanhurst is a large Grade II listed 1930s Georgian Revival mansion on 5 acres (2.0 ha) in Highgate, North London.
Where is the richest village in England? ›
New research conducted by The Times has uncovered the UK's poshest villages — and Hodnet in Shropshire has taken the top spot.
Where are the most beautiful houses in London? ›- Hampton Court Palace. Hampton Court Palace and the River Thames.
- Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace. ...
- Osterley Park. Osterley Park. ...
- Kenwood House. Kenwood House. ...
- Forty Hall. Forty Hall. ...
- Chiswick House. Blue Velvet Room ceiling in Chiswick House. ...
- Marble Hill House. Marble Hill House. ...
- Syon Park. ...