Kensington: Shop 'til you drop

Background

Kensington is located in the Royal borough of Kensington & Chelsea and is one of the most prestigious postcodes in London and the UK as a whole.

The region is one of the most affluent in the country and is home to many politicians, city workers and those who ply their trade in the media.

It is also regarded as one of the top places to do some shopping, with thousands of people flocking to the stores scattered across the borough on a weekly basis.

Property

Tenants of property to rent in Kensington can expect to pay around £1,226 a month for a studio and £2,128 each month for a one-bedroom residence. Those looking for a bit more space from their home such as families or larger groups of flat sharers can find two and three-bedroom property to rent in Kensington for around £3,211 and £5,551 a month respectively.

Fluctuating market conditions and the variation in property standards mean that these are estimated averages - there may be some bargains to be had in the area.

Property prices in the region - much like many other parts of London - are some of the highest in the UK. Many young professionals choose to rent their flats and houses until they have saved up enough money for a deposit to buy a place of their own.

Indeed, the latest Land Registry figures show that the average price of a property in the Royal borough of Kensington & Chelsea in June 2009 was £728,896. The average value of a flat was £603,783, while the average price of a detached property in the area was recorded at £2,748,196.

In July 2008, the average detached property to buy in Kensington & Chelsea cost even more - at over £3.23 million. At the same time, the average flat could have been secured for £710,659.

Transport

A number of train and London Underground stations serve Kensington and the surrounding area, meaning that residents of flats to rent in Kensington have options when it comes to getting into work and finding their way to the centre of the city.

Kensington Olympia is in Travelcard Zone 2 and has both Tube and overground services. It is on the District Line of the underground and is next to Earl's Court on the travel map.

On the overground it is sandwiched in between Shepherd's Bush and West Brompton, while it is also used for National Rail services.

South Kensington is another busy hub in the region, mainly due to the popular shopping areas in High Street Kensington - fashionably referred to as 'High Street Ken'. Residents of property to rent in Kensington will find this London Underground stop has a selection of options when it comes to travelling around the capital as it is served by the District, Circle and Piccadilly Lines. There is also a Tube stop at High Street Kensington itself.

The station at South Kensington is in Travelcard Zone 1, which may make journeys to and from Central London that little bit cheaper than if consumers were heading further west.

Using a mixture of buses and tubes, those living in Kensington will find they can reach Oxford Circus in around half an hour, which is quite a selling point for people looking to rent in the capital.

Amenities

Fashionable boutiques, department stores and independent shops are located throughout the region, prompting many Londoners and tourists to flock to Kensington for a shopping fix.

Those living in flats to rent in Kensington will be able to benefit from some lovely restaurants, quality pubs and nearby green spaces of Hyde Park.

Premier League football comes in the form of Chelsea Football Club - a team situated just off the King's Road at Stamford Bridge. The area itself is renowned for posh bars and fine dining establishments.

People looking to move to the area should certainly brace themselves for a touch of the high life.

Published 25th August, 2009

© 2009 Estates IT Limited