Spotlight on: Richmond upon Thames
Whilst the media would lead you to believe that the market in London has taken a hit since the pandemic started, with a frenzy of activity in the country market, London still remains an incredibly popular place to live, especially for people relocating to the UK for work.
Commute times and access to central London are still important for buyers and renters, but a much greater importance is being placed on access to nature and green open space. It seems Richmond upon Thames strikes the perfect balance.
Charm and Sophistication
Richmond upon Thames is a borough in South West London and is the only one that spans both sides of the river Thames. Recently named the “Happiest place to live 2021” by Rightmove; Richmond Upon Thames, with its relaxed riverside lifestyle, takes the top spot for the London suburbs and its easy to see why it’s so popular.
The borough is a series of village-like towns with cobbled, wide leafy streets, towpaths stretching for miles along the river Thames, and the stunning Richmond Park, complete with wild deer and covering 2500 acres. All of which gives residents a sense of the country life, whilst access to central London from one of the many railway or tube stations is very quick and easy. A fast train from Richmond mainline station takes less than 25 minutes to Waterloo or take the District tube from Richmond to Kensington High Street in a similar time.
Family life
Richmond upon Thames appeals to couples and families alike. Quaint period cottages and townhouses stand proud around Richmond Green; a well-kept grassy expanse which hosts picnics and cricket matches in the summer months. There is a strong European contingent due to The German School, an independent school offering the international baccalaureate, and parents moving into the area also have an excellent choice of other top schools including Ibstock Place (Ibstock Place School), St Catherines (St. Catherine’s School) and Orleans Park (Orleans Park)
There’s plenty on offer if you like exploring independent coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants. From the quiet cafes around nearby Kew village, to the relative hustle and bustle of Twickenham or Richmond town, as well as small independent restaurants serving a wide array of cuisines and there are also the more well-known brands such as The Ivy Brasserie and Petersham Nurseries. You will also find a nice choice of eateries along the river which offers a lovely atmosphere for outdoor dining in the summer months.
As well as the smaller boutiques, Richmond is also well served by the bigger high street stores so if you are used to buying your cosmetics at the beauty counter or groceries at Wholefoods Market, for example, you won’t be let down. So whatever it is you need, you won’t have to go far to find it.
Paying the price
This does, of course, all come at a premium and with prices likely to continue to rise over the coming year it is an expensive suburb in which to live. The average price of a home in Richmond upon Thames stands at £910,000 according to the latest UK House Price Index (Dec 2021), up 3.4 per cent in the last year. Comparatively, however, living in Kensington and Chelsea would set you back an average £1,895,000 so it is all relative.
If you are planning a move to London and want to discuss the city in more detail, or would like support with your home search or school search, then we would love to hear from you.
