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The average price of a property in London is now an eye-watering £534,785 – a figure that is (understandably) putting lots of people off buying in the Big Smoke! However, for all that it’s expensive, there are still a number of reasons the capital is still the best place to live. Here are just five…
- It’s a vibrant, buzzing place
With 8.6 million people living in London (and even more commuting into the capital daily for work), it’s a busy place with plenty to see and do. This kind of atmosphere is perfect if you find endless weekends in the countryside a bit tedious, suiting extroverts or those who simply feel happiest around big crowds and endless activity.
Interestingly, it’s estimated that almost 40% of Londoners were born outside of the UK, and that well over 300 languages are spoken in the capital. This makes it a melting pot of cultures, communities and religions, meaning you wont be stuck for new experiences, cuisines or ideas!
- 2. London offers fantastic work opportunities
Some of the best (and highest paid) jobs in the UK are available in London, making it an attractive place for highly skilled workers, creatives, entrepreneurs and business men and women. Vocations such as law and accountancy are highly-rewarding in the capital, and many of the best jobs in sectors such as fashion, technology and marketing are clustered in London, making it the place to be if you want really want to kick-start your career.
- Property is a great investment
While properties in central London are very expensive, there are beautiful new build development estates for first time buyers to enjoy in up-and-coming areas. For example, Croydon, Newham and Balham are said to be on the rise, so if you’re hoping to get your hands on one of London’s new build homes this year, why not see where new build estates are being developed? You’ll be close to the city centre and see a return on your investment with property prices rising an average of more than 10% a year.
- London boasts great transport links
Not only is getting around London really easy (the Tube and the bus service completely do away with the need to run a car), but it’s also a great place to be if you want to explore more of the country too.
It’s easy to get on a plane from any one of London’s five major airports to explore another UK city such as Newcastle, Manchester or Birmingham, and it’s easy to catch a train out to historic Bath or buzzing Bristol. Londoners can even make their way to Paris or Brussels in under four hours by hopping on the Eurostar at St Pancras.
- London is surprisingly green
Unlike most sprawling major cities (think of New York or Tokyo, for instance), London boasts an awful lot of green space. For instance, London has 8 million trees (some of which are very old indeed!), and more than 47% of London is actually a dedicated green area, including beautiful spaces such as Richmond Park, Hyde Park and St James’ Park. This arguably makes London the world’s biggest urban forest.