Where to settle your family in London

There is no official ranking of the "best" neighbourhoods in London for a family — be wary of anyone who hands you one. Here is what public data (Ofsted, crime statistics, transport) shows about five areas that come up most often among relocating families.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best neighbourhoods in London for a family?
There is no official ranking, but Richmond, Wimbledon, Ealing, Dulwich and South Kensington consistently stand out for their schools, safety or green space, depending on what you're looking for.

What should you look at when choosing a family-friendly area?
The Ofsted ratings of local schools, the local crime rate, the presence of parks, commute time to the centre, and your budget (rent or purchase).

Which area has the largest international school presence?
South Kensington and its surroundings (Chelsea, Fulham) host several international schools and consulates, including one of the largest French international schools outside France.

Which area offers the best schools-to-budget ratio?
Ealing: 9 out of 10 schools rated "Good" or "Outstanding" by Ofsted, with fast access to central London via the Elizabeth Line, at a more moderate budget than south-west London.

Richmond upon Thames

Richmond has a safety score of 84/100 and a crime rate of 76.4 per 1,000 residents, well below the UK average of 93.1. On schools, the borough has 36 Ofsted-rated "Outstanding" schools for the 2024/2025 academic year (18 primary, 7 secondary). Richmond Park and Kew Gardens offer some of the largest green spaces in London. The trade-off: it is one of the most expensive boroughs in the city.

Best for: families looking for calm, nature and safety, with a comfortable budget.

Wimbledon (Merton)

In Zone 3, served by the District and Northern lines, Wimbledon puts central London (Waterloo) under 20 minutes away. The area benefits from Wimbledon Common — London's largest area of heathland — Wimbledon Park, and proximity to Richmond Park. The school offering is broad, spanning state, private and international options (King's College School and Wimbledon High School are among the well-regarded schools locally), though no aggregated Ofsted rating is available for the area as a whole.

Best for: families wanting a balance between nature and a fast connection to the centre.

Ealing

9 out of 10 schools here are rated "Good" or "Outstanding" by Ofsted (2022 data, the most recent consolidated figure available). The Elizabeth Line puts Paddington 8 minutes away and Bond Street 13 minutes away, with Canary Wharf reachable in 25 minutes; the area is also served by the Central and District lines. Ealing is often described by estate agents as one of London's greenest boroughs, a qualitative claim we could not confirm against an official ranking.

Best for: families on a moderate budget looking for good state schools and fast access to central London.

Dulwich (Southwark)

Dulwich Hamlet Junior School is rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted, and 37 schools rated "Good" or "Outstanding" sit within a 3-mile radius. Dulwich Park spans 72 acres with a lake and tennis courts. On budget, a two-bedroom flat rents for around £2,050/month in East Dulwich (observed range: £1,479 to £3,788 depending on the property), and houses sell for an average of around £760,000, up to £1.47M in Dulwich Village.

Best for: families with a comfortable budget looking for a "village" atmosphere in south London.

South Kensington / Chelsea

This is the area with the strongest international and diplomatic presence in London, home to several consulates, cultural institutes and one of the largest French international schools outside France (the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle, around 3,465 pupils, with a main site in South Kensington and primary campuses in Fulham, Clapham and Ealing) — a reflection of the area's large French expatriate community. Hyde Park (141 hectares), Kensington Gardens and Holland Park are all close by. On the other hand, local school outcomes are more mixed (around 67% of schools rated "Good" or "Outstanding", below the national average of roughly 89%), and the area's crime rate (191.3 per 1,000 residents, more than double the UK average) partly reflects heavy non-residential activity (tourism, retail) rather than a proportional risk to residents.

Best for: families who want to be near an established international community, whatever their own origin, with a higher budget and a tolerance for a denser, more urban environment.

How to actually choose

The right area depends on your real priorities, not a generic ranking: the school you're targeting and its application deadlines, your housing budget, an acceptable commute to work, and whether staying close to a particular expat community matters to you. We weigh these criteria with you before starting the search, rather than sending you listings at random.

See also the complete guide: How to move to London.