Balham

Balham has spent the last decade shedding its reputation as Clapham's quieter neighbour and becoming a genuine destination in its own right. Sitting on the Northern Line with a direct run into the City and West End, it's an easy sell for professionals who want a shorter commute without giving up green space — Wandsworth Common and Tooting Bec Common both sit within a short walk.

Balham High Road and Bedford Hill carry most of the day-to-day life: independent coffee shops, a solid spread of restaurants, and enough bars to keep a Friday night interesting without turning the whole area into a party postcode. It's the kind of place residents tend to settle into rather than pass through.