Islington vs. Hampstead - Why you should invest in London
Have you just got a big job in the City or maybe you are a lover of the theatre? Then you may be thinking of moving to north east London, but which area is the best place to live? Here we compare two of the more popular areas in north east London, Islington and Hampstead.
Property
Hampstead is home to some of London’s super rich as well as many writers, artists and intellectuals who are attracted to the atmosphere in the area. However, this desirable nature breeds competitive property prices. This area is filled with tall terraces, cottages and of course the Victorian mansions of which it is famed for.
Similarly to Hampstead, Islington is quickly becoming one of the most desirable places to live in London. Slightly cheaper in price there is a real mix of different property types, so you’re sure to find a place whether you’re looking for a flat in a converted building or a classy, white fronted Georgian terrace.
The facts:
• According to London Property Watch, Hampstead (NW3) is a pricier place to live than Islington (N1). The average cost for a two bedroom property in Hampstead is £944,000, whereas Islington is on average £185,000 less. The same goes for the largest properties in the area where Hampstead is averaging £101,000 higher prices than its N1 counterpart.
• Hampstead’s property prices are indeed a reflection of the current market. According to Zoopla, figures here are up almost 12% from last year and have gone up over 19% in the last three years. It’s a similar story with Islington too; Islington is up over 13% on last year and nearly 22% from three years ago.
Transport
Both of these areas are well served by public transport routes, whether there is a direct line for your journey however depends on where you are going:
Tubes;
Hampstead has multiple tube stops from zone 2 nearby. The tube stops include:
1. Belsize Park (Northern Line)
2. Chalk Farm (Northern Line)
3. Finchley Rd (Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines)
4. Finchley Road & Frognal (London Overground)
5. Hampstead (Northern Line)
6. Hampstead Heath (London Overground)
7. Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line)
The nearest tubes to Islington’s popular high street are:
1. Holloway Road (Piccadilly Line)
2. Caledonian Road (Piccadilly Line)
3. Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury
4. King’s Cross St. Pancras (Circle, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Hammersmith & City Lines)
5. Angel (Northern Line)
6. Hoxton (London Overground)
7. Haggerston (London Overground)
8. Canonbury (London Overground)
9. Dalston Kingsland (London Overground)
10. Dalston Junction (London Overground)
For those who drive cars, both areas are well served by ‘A’ roads and have quick access to the M1.
Facilities
As with many parts of London, Islington and Hampstead have great facilities including leisure centres, libraries and some amazing schools. But these areas also have something a little special about them.
Hampstead – Home to the huge and hilly Hampstead Heath, there is plenty of outside space in Hampstead. And when you’re not strolling around the park, enjoy the bustling café culture and the weekly farmers market.
Islington – With a bustling arts scene, Islington is home to many art and theatre organisations including Sadler’s Wells, the Almeida Theatre and the King’s Palace. There is also the nearby Camden Passage which is world famous for its antiques.
So which area wins? Well that’s up to you. Islington is the place to be for an artsy atmosphere and properties that are slightly cheaper with no compromise on return of investment. Hampstead on the other hand is classy with large mansions and a wine and dine culture.
*Hugh Grover is a London Estate Agent with over 30 years’ experience of the Islington property market.
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