Richmond remains one of London’s most consistently desirable addresses, combining handsome Georgian and Victorian housing with the open landscape of Richmond Park and a lively town centre. Its position on the Thames, close to Kew Gardens, gives it a natural elegance and sense of permanence. Neighbouring Petersham and Ham retain an older, more rural atmosphere, with village greens, historic houses and a pace of life that feels quietly removed from the city, even while only a short distance from it.

Barnes and Chiswick share a riverside character that feels more village than suburb. Barnes, with its Common, duck pond and timeless terraces, has a settled, almost pastoral rhythm, while Chiswick, on the opposite bank, offers a livelier mix of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Both attract long-term residents drawn by their proximity to the river, excellent schools, and strong sense of community.

Wimbledon is perhaps the archetype of South West London living. Known the world over for its tennis, it also offers a balance of open green space, elegant period houses and good local amenities. The Common and the village retain a rural feel, while the town itself is practical, self-sufficient and family-friendly. Its schools, recreation and enduring stability make it one of the capital’s most secure residential choices.

Further east, Wandsworth and Earlsfield offer an appealing mix of parks, schools and residential streets that have grown steadily in popularity. Wandsworth, with its broad avenues and solid Edwardian houses, feels established and dependable, while Earlsfield has evolved into a well-connected, family-centred community with an understated charm of its own. Both balance practicality and quality of life, making them enduringly attractive to those looking to settle in London’s south-west corridor.

Clapham and Balham bring more energy to the mix — animated high streets, a strong café and restaurant culture, and generous commons that provide open space at the heart of the city. Their streets of Victorian terraces and garden squares have long been a magnet for young professionals and growing families. Well-connected yet rooted in their own local identity, they embody the livelier, more modern face of South West London.

Battersea has changed almost beyond recognition in the past decade. The redevelopment of the Power Station and its surrounding riverside has brought new life to the area, transforming it into a major cultural and residential hub. Battersea Park remains one of London’s finest green spaces, anchoring the neighbourhood with its elegance and calm. Nearby Stockwell retains a more urban edge, cosmopolitan and increasingly sought after for its position between Clapham, Brixton and Westminster.

Fulham, straddling the line between West and South West London, completes the picture. Its handsome streets, strong café culture and discreet village-like pockets such as Parsons Green lend it a sense of permanence and refinement. Close to Chelsea yet more grounded in feel, it attracts families and professionals seeking the comfort of an established area with a tangible sense of community.