London, a sprawling metropolis where nothing stays the same for very long, is a patchwork of vast numbers of areas, some heavily built up and indisputably urban, some more village-like and others reassuringly leafy and suburban. It’s not always easy to foresee which parts will come up next and therefore make good investments, but there can be clues. Last year, we highlighted four parts of London growing in popularity – Nine Elms, Brentford, Abbey Wood and Hanwell –while also turning a spotlight on the Quadra housing development in Hackney Fields. But the capital is an ever-changing, ever-evolving landscape and while we stand by those predictions, there are now yet more areas gradually coming into their own. Some of these are far-flung pockets of the city that are benefiting from improved transport links, while others are undergoing significant redevelopment. And while it’s generally true that you have to go further and further from the centre to find affordability, for balance we’ve kept an eye on two places falling within Zone 2 of the Tube map.
HAYES
There are two Hayes in London; one is in Bromley, in the southeast, but the one to watch out for in 2024 is in the west, spanning two postcodes, UB3 and UB4. Once, it was in the county of Middlesex, long since defunct, but today it’s part of London proper, falling within the borough of Hillingdon. The secret to its newfound appeal is major regeneration, translating to a predicted 20 per cent rise in house prices over the next half-decade. While it’s always had some degree of pull (right up until the 1980s, EMI famously had its headquarters here), today all kinds of changes are afoot, including the redevelopment of the old Nestle factory into a residential enclave cannily branded as ‘Hayes Village’. Hayes is served by Crossrail and is close to Heathrow airport, so there’s little danger of feeling stranded out on a limb if you move here. Already, families, professionals young and middle-aged and students are setting up home here. More residential development is under way and things are only looking up for Hayes this year.
QUEEN’S PARK
Split between the boroughs of Westminster and Brent, Queen’s Park is beloved as much for some of its preserved architecture as for its 30-acre Victorian park (not quite as dog-friendly as some of the other royal parks; your canine friends have to be kept on their leads in all areas). It also benefits from being close to central London, Regent’s Park, Camden, Paddington, Notting Hill and Maida Vale. It was one of the last Zone 2 areas to be “discovered” and although the days of bargains are long gone, it’s an excellent choice for anyone further along the property ladder or looking to invest. Once here, you’ll discover a delightful, community-minded place with resident-led initiatives such as the North West Quarter (public plaza with gym, supermarket, shops, cafes, medical centre, chemist and more). Queen’s Park is one of northwest London’s true jewels, with exceptional transport links – not just a Tube station but also Network rail and at least 10 bus routes.
COLINDALE
Colindale, NW9, is another redevelopment success story in the making. It’s part of the London Borough of Barnet and is increasingly popular with investors and young buyers/renters, drawn to the area’s well-thought-of amenities, not least its schools. Residential developments of recent years include Colindale Gardens, a bright, appealing complex including landscaped gardens, restaurant and gym, and Silkstream, a vast development set in landscaped parkland and including co-working spaces and a screening room. Older property stock here is popular with a significant-sized Asian population which, in turn, is drawing Hong Kongers to the area. Colindale’s shopping lures include a branch of John Lewis, the Colindale Food Centre and Silkbridge Retail Park. An elaborate upgrade of Colindale tube station is only going to enhance the area’s appeal in 2024 and, at the same time, the old ticket hall will be revamped into a shopping, commercial and residential development, with at least 150 affordable new homes.
POPLAR
This East London area, close to Canary Wharf, has several aces up its sleeve and one of them is that its rental and property costs are more competitive than other E14 enclaves. Not only is it where popular TV series, Call The Midwife, is set, but it’s also emerging as one of 2024’s most promising successes. That’s in part thanks to appealing new developments such as Poplar Riverside where a series of interlinked apartment blocks overlooks the nearby River Lea. And one thing you won’t want for here are good transport links because the area is served by the DLR, the Tube, a host of bus routes and, perhaps key to Poplar’s increasing allure, the Elizabeth Line, which can be joined at nearby Canary Wharf and which can whisk you to the West End or Heathrow. Poplar is still on the up and this year, while the area’s full potential has still to be realised, couldn’t be a better time to become part of it. It’s an East End gem with no shortage of shops, markets, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and cultural history.
WHITE CITY
Another West London Zone 2 area that keeps on developing, partly thanks to an £8 billion regeneration effort, White City is a 15-minute journey by train from the West End. But given the area’s amenities, including a vast branch of Westfield, residents may find they rarely need to make the journey. Like Queen’s Park, White City’s era of sales or rental bargains is ancient history and prices mean that it’s only going to suit people who’ve made considerable ascension up the property ladder. Among the developments drawing professionals, investors and even some well-off students, is the lavish White City Living complex, with studios starting at £525 a week and one-beds at £575. This luxurious development includes two landscaped gardens and most apartments have outdoor space in the form of balconies or terraces/roof terraces. White City is walking distance from Shepherd’s Bush and also has an outpost of Soho House, so there’s no shortage of young people arriving here every day. Its transport links scarcely need mentioning but suffice it to say that there are several Tube stations (White City, Wood Lane, Shepherd’s Bush, the last of which also has Overground options) and plenty of bus routes.
AUSSIE LONDON REMOVALS AND STORAGE
If you’re planning a move to or from any of the above areas (or indeed anywhere in the city), then Aussie London can do it all, including any storage you might need if you’re downsizing and have surplus belongings. Aussie is, without question, the capital’s favourite removals/storage company –and that’s in no small part due to our reputation for solution-focussed customer service. We know that moving is daunting and so we plan every move to minimise the stress and psychological impact for our clients. We’re also an ideal choice for landlords, with an array of property services, including inventory-taking, professional cleaning and emergency repair work, designed to make your life and work much easier. Not only that, but we do it all while keeping our prices competitive. That’s why, year after year, we have overwhelmingly positive reviews and a high TrustPilot rating.
