A Guide to Living in Central London

Only a privileged few are lucky enough to call Central London home. This is one of the most famous cities in the world, so naturally, living in its heart doesn’t come cheap. With house prices falling largely into the multi-million pound bracket, residents here tend to be politicians, celebrities and those born into ready-made fortunes. Read on to discover the developments that are rated as the best places to live in Central London. In addition, read reviews from residents who own or rent in Central London.

4.67

Average Location Score

Excellent

71%

Very Good

24%

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Top Rated Developments in Central London

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London’s most famous tourist attractions

Think of the classic Big Smoke postcard, and you’ve got Central London in a nutshell. The scenery here is recognised right across the globe, thanks to iconic landmarks like the House of Lords, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, plus the black taxis and scarlet-red phone boxes synonymous with England’s capital. The area is also home to some of the best-preserved Georgian mansions in the country.

Marylebone

Unsurprisingly, Central London’s amenities cater to its wealthy occupants. Expect fine dining (including a reputable clutch of Michelin-starred restaurants) designer boutiques and five-star hotels that have stood the test of time. Some of London’s most famous establishments pepper this area, such The Langham and The Landmark. As to what else is on offer? Only some of the best shopping and also dining in Central London. The fashionable W1 postcode teams period architecture with the buzz of Oxford Street and the calm of Marylebone High Street.

The City of London

In the City, or, the ‘Square Mile’, brokers close deals over brunch in high-end brasseries, and affluent shoppers hit the luxury stores of spots like One New Change. There’s an impressive rollcall of rooftop wine bars, too, offering views of St Paul’s Cathedral. Unsurprisingly, homes here come with a sizeable price tag, but are also the best places to live in Central London as deemed by our reviewers,. But if you’ve got the budget it’s all about glossy high-rises with floor-to-ceiling windows and luxury onsite fitness centres.

Westminster’s charms

If you’re after a more traditional scene, there are olde-world pubs and shops to be discovered in Westminster, not to mention history-charting tourist attractions like Tate Britain and Churchills War Rooms. As well as this nearby, with views of Buckingham Palace, there’s peace and quiet to be had in St James’ Park; a glorious 23 hectares of meadows and walkways. Spend an afternoon here, and you can picnic on its immaculate lawns, or stop by the café for a tea.

You can find out more about living in Central London by reading reviews from residents. Click below to find out more about residents’ experiences and discover great places to rent in Central London. Also, if there’s a Central London property that you can’t see on HomeViews, you can add a new listing and leave your review here

Reviews in Central London

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Not worth the experience

Verified Resident

Review Date Sep 2020

Great location for working professionals. Dead during the weekends. Inconvenient for families.

Please review your development:

The apartment is not designed for living. Closets take a significant space in the rooms and provide very little storage. Outlets are poorly located. Lighting and audio controls are dated. The curtains take significant space away from the unit. Management is inconsistent. The lounge is dated. Any changes to the AV controls or unit require specialist contractors. The management harasses us about furniture viewable from the street. The concierge staff is excellent but there’s a lot of churn. Service is inconsistent during nights and weekends. The staff does nothing to stop noise, smells and anti-social behavior from neighbors.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Smells come through the floors and ventilation, so you can smell smoke, incense and Marijuana.

What is the best feature of your home:

The view is excellent. If you work nearby it’s highly convenient.

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Best development in Old Street / City Road area

Verified Resident

Review Date May 2020

Very central area but flats are quiet. You can walk everywhere (including Barbican Centre – best Cinema in London!) and because of all the redevelopment in the area lots of new bars, restaurants and shops being added to the already very decent choices.

Please review your development:

This is by far the best development out of the various ones that have sprung up around Old Street Roundabout and City Road. Not only is it the best location it has the best design both externally and internally – the floor plates of the apartments are very well thought out and take in the curve of the building in a really cool way – they are not just rectangles with the kitchen in a corridor like the other local developments I’ve viewed. Sound proofing is good. The reception area is nice, large and set back from the main road with entrance via it’s own podium. Mount Anvil pushed the boat out on the spec for this as it was their first tower so lots of touches you won’t find at other developments like heated anti mist mirrors and feature tiling in the bathrooms, custom front doors with carvings, feature radiators etc. Very nice communal facilities and very good building management with 24/7 front desk. Comfort cooling is very welcome too!

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The logistics of initially moving in were something I hadn’t thought about (eg would my furniture fit into the lift) , where do you park the removal truck etc) but front desk staff super helpful and now know all the tricks – top tip: do it super early when it’s quiet and easy to park 🙂

What is the best feature of your home:

Huge amount of natural light and like being high up! A lovely sanctuary to come home to in an otherwise very hectic and buzzing part of London. I get up early and the sun rises are amazing each day and a constant source of pleasure. . The 24/7 front desk is very useful for parcel delivery and also you can arrange dry cleaning through them. Gym is great for Cardio. Neighbours are lovely.

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Modern design, excellent location, better value than nearby developments

Verified Resident

Review Date May 2020

Minutes from bars & restaurants of Old Street, Angel, Shoreditch, Hoxton, etc.

Please review your development:

Stylish & modern art deco design. Well kept communal gym/spa/sauna/cinema room/landscaped garden. Incredibly friendly concierge staff, and efficient property management. Friendly neighbours. Sainsbury’s, Pret & Itsu within the building.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Comfort cooling system is a god-send in the summer

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Efficient service and prompt response to any issues

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Top location and modern living in Zone 1.

Verified Resident

Review Date May 2020

Zone 1 on the tube. What could be more convenient. Great shops and places to eat and improving all the time.

Please review your development:

Great place to live. The building design is modern. Spa/gym and screening room available. Concierge is great, always available to help. They have a great system to hold and notify you of deliveries. The shops and restaurants are great and increasing all the time. Great food delivery services at all times. A residents WhatsApp group keeps us up to date and entertained.