Learn where to find properties in London with good value for money and great transport links
Fortunately, a short commute doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on rent or a new home. There are still some London areas that offer the best of both worlds in terms of value for money and proximity to the financial district and the City.
Shoreditch
- Location: East End, Borough of Hackney
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 3 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 30 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 2.6 miles
- Public transport commutes to Charing Cross: 30 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £407
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £597,000
Shoreditch is increasingly popular with young London hipsters and creative types, as well as young professionals. It has many modern properties from warehouse-style apartments and high-rises with breath-taking views. There are also many shops, restaurants, bars, and art galleries in Shoreditch to keep the locals entertained.
Properties prices have been on the rise in recent years so Shoreditch may not stay affordable for much longer.
Canary Wharf
- Location: Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 0 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 0 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 4.8 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 22 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £485
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £517,000
Canary Wharf is the ideal location for young professionals wanting to live in the heart of London’s financial and technology district. In the last 30 years, it has transformed from an industrial wasteland, to a leading business centre, and it’s now becoming a residential heaven.
Canary Wharf has a housing stock of modern properties in glass-fronted buildings with breath-taking views.
Transport-wise it offers:
- the Jubilee Linetaking you intothe City in 10 minutes
- theDLRwith several links to the Tube
- regular bus servicesrunning on mostmain lines
- river bus services from Canary Wharf Pier
- easy access to London City Airport.
For more on Canary Wharf, see our area guide here.
Bow
- Location: East London, Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 2.4 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 23 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 4.8 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 37 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £338
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £372,000
The bow is a traditional area rich in history that was included in the urban development plans relating to the 2012 Olympics. Ever since it has been constantly transforming and embracing modern trends. Properties in Bow range from refurbished council houses to transformed industrial buildings to classic Victorian and Georgian homes. Young professionals appreciate it for its proximity to Canary Wharf and students for its proximity to the Queen Mary University of London.
Transport is easily available on the Underground. The District and Hammersmith & City lines offer short commutes to Canary Wharf, as well as the City. The DLR has 2 stations here and London City Airport is less than 15 minutes away.
Poplar
- Location: East London, Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 1.4 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 17 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 5.5 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 41 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £354
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £488,000
Poplar has gone through massive regeneration programs since the closure of the Docks in the 1980s. Many redevelopment projects are still underway. Its proximity to Canary Wharf and being the home of the largest campus of the Tower Hamlets College make Poplar very attractive to young professionals and students alike. Properties here range from terrace houses to older estate homes, as well as modern high-rises.
Poplar has great transport links on the DLR, which has 4 stations in Poplar at All Saints, Langdon Park, Poplar, and East India. The Underground Jubilee Line is minutes away at Canary Wharf station. The District and Hammersmith & City Lines are accessible at the Stepney Green station and there is also a future connection to the Crossrail at Limehouse. London Airport is 10 minutes away by car.
For more on Poplar, see our area guide here.
Canning Town
- Location: East London, Borough of Newham
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 2.6 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 25 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 7 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 30 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £365
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £512,000
Canning Town is a multi-cultural district with a great location and great access to public transport. It has several DLR stations and access to the Jubilee Line of the London Underground. Canning Town has undergone major regeneration over the last decade and it continues to be the prime focus of many redevelopment programs estimated at a whopping £3.7 billion. 10, 000 new homes will be delivered in Canning Town in the next 5-10 years as well as two new town centres.
For more on Canning Town, see our area guide here.
Whitechapel
- Location: East London, Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 2.2 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 18 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 2.8 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 25 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £367
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £406,000
Whitechapel is an area in London’s Zone 1 that is very dynamic and culturally diverse. It has become increasingly popular with younger Londoners give its amazing location and wide array of contemporary amenities.
Properties in Whitechapel include classic Georgian terrace houses, as well as modern new builds. The area hosts the best of both worlds and offers unbeatable prices for how well it is located and connected to the rest of the city.
Stratford
- Location: East End, Borough of Newham
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 3.8 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 30 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 6.4 miles
- Public transport
- commute to Charing Cross: 30 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £426
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £320,000
It’s hard to beat Stratford in terms of public transport options. It offers access to the London Underground, the London Overground, the DLR, and the National Rail. Stratford is also the home of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City, the largest mall in Europe. So, fun times and shopping are not hard to come by here.
Property prices in Stratford have been rising steeply over the last decades and continue to rise as this Zone 2 area gains more and more popularity with young families and professionals. Properties here are largely modern flats in posh residential developments.
Stratford is continuing its redevelopment with projects such as the East Bank project. It is a cultural and learning centre comprising a new campus for the University College London, BBC music studios, Sadler’s Wells dance theatre, the London College of Fashion, and a new V&A museum.
For more on Stratford, see our area guide here.
Ilford
- Location: Borough of Redbridge
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 6.6 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 37 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 9.9 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 40 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £312
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £214,000
Ilford offers buyers and renters a wide range of properties to choose from. And, most importantly, a 30-minute commute to the City. Its housing stock ranges from 1930s bay-fronted some with back gardens to Edwardian and Victorian double-fronted homes. There is also no shortage of modern high-rises for those looking for a more contemporary style of home.
Ilford has 3 TFL stations and 5 Tube stations and it’s only 20 minutes away from London Airport. The upcoming Crossrail – the Elizabeth Line will improve commute times even more, offering easy access to Canary Wharf, Paddington, and London Heathrow Airport.
For more on Ilford, see our area guide here.
Barking
- Location: Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 5.7 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 21 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 10 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 40 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £299
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £246,000
Barking’s riverside area is undergoing a major transformation. The most notable project, bearing the same name – Barking Riverside is being developed on the land of the former Barking Power Station and is set to comprise 10,800 new homes by its delivery. It includes an extension of the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking Lines
Barking has amazing transport links to the rest of the city. It has access to the Overground, the C2C rail, the Underground. The Crossrail will also feature a station in Barking, at Chadwell Heath. For avid travelers, London Airport is just 17 minutes away.
For more on Barking, see our area guide here.
Forest Gate
- Location: Borough of Newham
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 4.6 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 37 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 7.9 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 45 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £358
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £263,000
Forest Gate is rich in history and tradition and offers easy commutes to most London areas. It features a conservation area and rows of Victorian houses, great green areas, and good schools.
Forest Gate is included in the transport network of the upcoming Crossrail, which will reduce commute times even more. It offers easy access to the District and Hammersmith & City lines of the Underground, as well as to the Overground, TFL rail and C2C.
Plaistow
- Location: Borough of Newham
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 3.5 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 30 minutes
- Distance from Charing Cross: 7.8 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 38 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £396
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £310,000
If you want to be close to the dynamic feel of Stratford without paying the full price, Plaistow is the place for you. Offering more affordable properties and great transport links in addition to the proximity to Westfield Stratford City, this area is becoming increasingly popular.
Featuring easy commutes to The City and to Canary Wharf, Plaistow has two Tube stations. They are both on the District and Hammersmith & City lines. The Central and Jubilee Lines are also close by, in Stratford and London City Airport is only 2 miles away.
Seven Kings
- Location: Borough of Redbridge
- Distance from Canary Wharf: 7.8 miles
- Public transport commute to Canary Wharf: 44 minute
- Distance from Charing Cross: 11 miles
- Public transport commute to Charing Cross: 48 minutes
- Average weekly rental price 1-bedroom: £285
- Average sale price 1-bedroom: £200,000
Located just a stone’s throw from Ilford, Seven Kings is a quiet residential neighborhood with a vibrant community. The housing stock is made up of quaint bungalows and apartment buildings.
There are great green areas available in the area. Seven Kings Park features many leisure and sporting amenities such as tennis courts and the Hainault Forest Country Park features a golf course and an amazingly picturesque lake. It has great links to the City on the Overground at the Seven Kings station and the Underground Central Line.