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Often seen as West London’s equally glamorous neighbour, North London isn’t just about leafy neighbourhoods for affluent families.
While the expensive enclaves of Highgate and Hampstead offer a slice of the finer things in life, those on the hunt for somewhere a little grittier can still find their ideal rental property north of the river.
Here we dig deeper into five great places to rent in North London, from the luxurious and laidback to the more affordable, alternative options.
Camden
Often touted as one of the best places in London to live, Camden offers a mix of everything. It’s loud and lively, fashionable and fascinating, and home to everyone from art students to movie and music celebrities.
If you like being in the heart of the action where alternative, arty lifestyles are welcomed with open arms, this is your place. The streets are bursting with the sights, sounds and scents of tempting food stalls, music venues, antique and vintage stores, and the world-famous Camden Market. Browse round its stalls and you’ll be immersed in a world of counterculture and curiosities where artists showcase their work and tourists jostle for bargains.
The buzzy atmosphere continues into the night as Camden is also where you’ll find some of the city’s best clubs, including Koko and Electric Ballroom.
And when you want a change of pace, you can take a boat trip along the Regent’s Canal to catch sight of some of the residents at London Zoo.
Camden rental property ranges from pricey townhouses to former social housing, offering something for every budget. It’s still just possible to find yourself a relative bargain.
If the bright lights and quirky atmosphere of Camden tickle your fancy, expect to pay the following average prices:
Studio flat £1400 pcm
1-bed flat £1700 pcm
2-bed flat £2200 pcm
3-bed flat £3300 pcm
You’ll be well-connected in Camden. Both branches of the Northern Line are accessible from Camden Town tube station and you can get onto an overground train at Camden Road
And Kings Cross St Pancras is just a 20-minute walk away if a day trip to France is on your wish-list.
Highgate
If you’re hankering after a slower pace of life, high-brow Highgate is the polar opposite of colourful Camden. Sought-after and affluent, this picturesque place is often referred to as a village despite being just a 20-minute tube journey into the city.
Overflowing with history, culture and architecture, its winding cobbled streets are a world away from its noisier neighbours. Tree-lined and with a strong community spirit, Highgate is home to families and young professionals who want a quieter place to rent in North London.
You’ll be spoilt for choice for green space with Waterlow Park and Highgate Cemetery on your doorstep, and the temptations of Hampstead Heath’s freshwater outdoor bathing ponds a stroll away. After getting some fresh air, you can relax at a 450-year-old pub or one of the dozens of high-quality restaurants.
And for a taste of its fascinating history, you can visit Karl Marx’s tomb and enjoy a meal in the pub where Dickens and Byron once drank.
This compact area is home to beautiful Georgian and Victorian properties which have either remained family homes or been converted into spacious apartments. There are some new-build properties but as a conservation area, these are generally tasteful and unobtrusive.
If Highgate’s history and village life tempt you, expect to pay the following typical prices:
Studio flat £1500 pcm
1-bed flat £1700 pcm
2-bed flat £2200 pcm
3-bed flat £2500 pcm
Five miles away from central London, it’s a 21-minute Northern line journey to Bank from Highgate station in Zone 3. Or the overground station at nearby Upper Holloway can take you directly into south and east London.
Hampstead
The major allure of Hampstead is of course the Heath. A vast expanse of woods, gardens and fields, it’s one of the biggest green spaces in London and a welcome respite from city life.
Choose Hampstead and you’ll have the Heath on your doorstep while being just 16 minutes from Piccadilly Circus on the tube.
It’s an upmarket place with vibrant cafes and bars, well-performing schools and independent boutiques. You’ll also find traditional butchers, bakers, bookshops and grocers who thrive in this strong community.
When you’re not partaking of a perfectly pulled pint or indulging in a delicious meal you can take a dip in the outdoor swimming pools on the Heath. Its 790 acres also boasts Parliament Hill and its fantastic views across the city, and Kenwood House with its beautiful 18th-century gardens.
Not surprisingly, renting in Hampstead comes with a high price tag. But if your budget stretches far enough, you’ll find a selection of beautiful apartments to rent, many of which tend to be larger than average.
If you’re tempting by the charms of open space and laidback living, expect to pay the following typical prices:
Studio flat £1100 pcm
1-bed flat £1700 pcm
2-bed flat £2400 pcm
3-bed flat £3800 pcm
Transport
Set up home in Hampstead and take your pick from tube stations on the Waterloo & City and Northern lines, plus several overground train stations linking to the city. Hampstead Heath bus terminal is also a central hub for travelling all across the city.
Islington
Cool, chic and not too showy, Islington offers a community vibe alongside a wealth of bars and restaurants to while away the hours.
Popular with students, young professionals and city workers, it’s home to a thriving arts scene with world-class theatres, galleries and a charming one-screen cinema. Start-ups and tech firms have set up base here, many around Old Street, and independent shops flourish. Take a stroll down pedestrian-only Camden Passage and you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The vast majority of rental properties in Islington are apartments whether in converted Victorian terraces or 1960s tower blocks. Less aesthetically pleasing streets rub shoulders with beautiful Georgian squares, giving renters enough variety to find something to suit whatever their budget.
Want to make Islington home? Then expect to pay these kinds of prices:
Studio flat £1200 pcm
1-bed flat £1700 pcm
2-bed flat £2200 pcm
3-bed flat £3200 pcm
Transport
It’s quick and easy to get into the city by tube from Islington. To the south you can access the Northern line from Angel station while you can link up with the Victoria line at Highbury & Islington.
Fancy a walk? It’ll take you just half an hour to reach the city or just hop on one of the many buses that pass through the area.
Finsbury Park
With a rough and ready reputation, Finsbury Park is enjoying a boost thanks to its strong sense of community and a successful regeneration programme.
It’s now home to stylish bars and restaurants, as well as plenty of refurbished gastropubs sitting alongside old-school boozers. Home to recent graduates and Turkish, Cypriot and Ethiopian communities, it’s becoming increasingly popular with young professionals and families.
One of its biggest draws is its 110-acre park, home to inviting green space, woodland, a boating lake and sports courts.
Not known as a cultural hub, Finsbury Park does have its own small independent theatre for those who like checking out new talent. Add in great transport links and more affordable North London property prices, and this enclave north of Islington could tick your rental boxes.
You’ll get more for your money in Finsbury Park with its quiet streets of Victorian terraces and newer apartment blocks overlooking the park.
Like everywhere in London, prices are increasing as the area becomes more desirable but it still offers an affordable option north of the river.
If this Zone 2 slice of the city appeals to you, expect to pay the following typical prices:
Studio flat £1100 pcm
1-bed flat £1300 pcm
2-bed flat £1800 pcm
3-bed flat £2300 pcm
Transport
Set up home here and you’ll be close to Finsbury Park station for access to both the underground and National Rail services. You can hop on a Piccadilly or Victoria line tube or head straight to Moorgate and Kings Cross by train. You’ll also be able to take your pick from numerous bus routes into the city.
Looking for a great place to rent in North London? Check out the latest properties at MakeUrMove.
