lizziea06

I'm currently based in New York City, but I'm heading to London for a six month work assignment at the end of March. I'm on an expat package for my company, so the cost isn't important.

I'm working with a relocation manager to find me housing, but he needs input from me on where I'd like to live. My office is in Westminster, right near Victoria Station. Here is how I would describe the type of place I'd like to live:

- Reasonable commute (no more than 20-25 minutes). Short walk to tube is fine.
- Lots of fun boutiques, bars, restaurants
- Other people in mid to late 20s/early 30s
- Charming neighborhood

I would appreciate any suggestions!

laustic

I'll only tell you if you promise to take me with you You lucky duck!

Honestly, I'm only familiar with a couple of areas. I stayed in Notting Hill for a week and a half (with 2 girlfriends - we're 30) and I loved the area. Sort of upscale, but also young and bohemian with lots of boutique shops, etc. It's also near Holland Park.

I also liked the Chelsea area. It's even more upscale and closer to Victoria station. Lots of nice pubs and TONS of shopping (although upscale). Really nice gourmet grocer also. I'm staying near Sloane Square for my upcoming trip so I can't comment on an extended stay quite yet.

shormk2

I lived in a flat in Pimlico for several months when I was 23(about 10 minutes from Victoria Station), close to a tube, very nice. To be honest, it was a bit quiet for me at 23, but probably right on track for me at 28 now... quite charming really and convenient to lots of things- boutiques, bars, etc... just a thought! I'm so jealous- have fun!

shormk2

Oh and fyi- I actually lived halfway b/w the Pimlico tube stop and Victoria Station... I think the other side of Pimlico actually stretches all the way to the Thames.

janisj

Pimlico is a great area. It would put you walking distance to work, to the river, to Tate Britain -- but farther from some of the criteria you mention. Public transport is so very easy in central London that is not a biggie IMHO.

There are pockets of exactly what you are looking for in just about every neighborhood. All kinds of areas - South Kensington, Belgravia/Chelsea, even the southbank and Covent Garden, and others are convenient to where you'll be working. Locals will give you specific suggestions - but one thing - Westminster is in the very center of town so nearby will be among the highest rents in London. That alone will limit to some extent the number of young people living there.

You can probably afford to live in any part of town - If it were me I'd want to be someplace close-ish to work. You can get everywhere else for socializing very easily - but getting back and forth to work is the day in, day out must.

WillTravel

I agree with janisj. If I were living in London, in the sort of situation you describe, being able to walk to work would be a priority. Being two or so miles away would be fine. The tube is great, and so are the buses, but doing a rush-hour commute in London twice a day, five days per week, would get old very quickly.

caroline_edinburgh

Another vote for Notting Hill.

dfr4848

My SIL lived on Sloane St for several years during her stay in London. It should be walkable/short cab ride to your office. Tube station at Sloane Sq is very near. We loved the area - very close to shops, restaurants, parks. Really a nice neighborhood.

lizziea06

Thank you all for the thoughtful and thorough replies! South Kensington and Chelsea sound ideal for me. Can anyone recommend specific pockets or streets that stand out in these neighborhoods? I can pass these along to the relo consultant and have him look for apartments in those areas.

Thanks again!!!!

BTilke

Tedworth Square is a nice part of Chelsea, mostly townhomes but apartments there as well. Stars from a couple of the UK's most popular TV dramas live on the square. Mark Twain also once lived on TS (I ran into the TV stars while looking up Mark Twain's house).