Living in Westminster

The City of Westminster is the political, royal and commercial heart of London. It contains the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, the West End's theatres, Oxford Street, Soho, Mayfair and Covent Garden, as well as residential neighbourhoods such as Pimlico, Marylebone, Bayswater, Maida Vale and St John's Wood.

Its residential character varies enormously. Mayfair, Belgravia and St John's Wood are among the most expensive places in the world, while Church Street, Queen's Park and parts of Westbourne and Harrow Road have large social housing estates and significant deprivation. Soho and Covent Garden have active resident communities that live among theatres, bars and restaurants.

Westminster has extraordinary green space for a central borough. Hyde Park, Green Park, St James's Park and much of Regent's Park lie within or on its boundaries, alongside Paddington Recreation Ground and the canals of Little Venice. The borough's council tax is among the lowest in London, which helps offset high rents.

Transport is unmatched. Almost every Underground line passes through Westminster, and major rail terminals at Victoria, Paddington, Marylebone and Charing Cross serve the borough, while the Elizabeth line stops at Paddington, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road. Many residents walk or cycle to work. For people who work in Westminster, the West End or the City, the time saved can be worth more than the rent premium, although the flats that come with it are usually small for the price.