Is Clapham Common West a Good Place to Live?

This is one of the more reassuring pockets of London when it comes to personal safety, with low levels of violent crime and burglary compared with most of the city. Anti-social behaviour around the common on warm evenings is the main gripe locals raise, rather than anything more serious. Families and anyone walking home at night should feel comfortable here, though it's always worth keeping half an eye on belongings when the common gets busy.

Yes, this is a premium part of the capital, sitting well above the London average for both buying and renting. It suits professionals with solid incomes or families who've decided the common and the schools are worth stretching the budget for. First-time buyers on a tight budget will likely find better value a few stops further out.

Think brunch queues, gym-goers circling the common at dawn, and a steady mix of young couples, sharers and families who've stayed put. The high streets either side of the common are dense with independent coffee shops, restaurants and bars, so there's rarely a dull weekend. It has a leafy, village-y feel close to the green space itself, even if the wider area is more built-up than its name suggests.

There's plenty going for family life here: reliable local schools, low crime, and the common itself as a huge, well-used play space with a lido, playgrounds and space to run around. The catch is that beyond the common, gardens and green space are in short supply, so flat-dwelling families often lean heavily on that one shared space. For those who can get a home near it, though, it's a strong choice.