Two commutes, one shortlist

Where should we live in London as a couple or flatmates?

Pick two work destinations, commute caps, a shared rent budget and a shared area style. The ranking favours fair compromises rather than one person getting a perfect commute while the other absorbs the pain.

Balanced commute ranking

Best compromise areas for both of you

Ranked by worst commute, total commute burden, affordability and shared lifestyle fit. A one-sided 15/75-minute split is penalised heavily even if the average looks acceptable.

Updating commute estimates...

#1 compromise pick

Camden

Camden · £1,900/mo

6.8/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Camden is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. Heaving most weekends

#2 compromise pick

Brixton

Lambeth · £1,700/mo

6.8/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Brixton is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. Intense after dark

#3 compromise pick

Clapham

Lambeth · £1,800/mo

6.8/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Clapham is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. Can feel cliquey and same-y

#4 compromise pick

Hackney Wick

Hackney · £1,550/mo

6.8/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Hackney Wick is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. An Overground-led commute

#5 compromise pick

Hackney Central

Hackney · £1,700/mo

6.7/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Hackney Central is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. Overground only, no tube

#6 compromise pick

Dalston

Hackney · £1,750/mo

6.7/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Dalston is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. Noisy

#7 compromise pick

West Hampstead

Camden · £1,850/mo

6.7/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

West Hampstead is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. You pay for being by the stations

#8 compromise pick

Balham

Wandsworth · £1,600/mo

6.7/10

Person A

—

Canary Wharf

Person B

—

King's Cross / St Pancras

Balance

49%

Worst commute + fairness

Balham is ranked against a shared £1,900/mo budget; add both workplaces to see each commute.

Good match. Pricey for how far out it is