London's Best Kept Secrets: The Cheapest Neighborhoods To Live In

London is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world, but it also has an enormous cost of living. Rent and property prices in central London are notoriously high, often out of reach even for those on good salaries. However, there are still relatively affordable neighborhoods spread throughout the city if you know where to look. This article explores some of the cheapest areas to live in London based on average rental costs.

Croydon

One of the cheapest and most accessible areas south of central London is Croydon. Located just a 30-minute train ride from Victoria Station, Croydon offers great transport links into the city with its own major station. Rent in Croydon is considerably more affordable than in other parts of London, with the average one-bedroom apartment currently renting for around £1000 per month.

Property prices are also low compared to zones 1-3, making Croydon an attractive option for first-time buyers. While it may lack the cosmopolitan charm of inner-city areas, Croydon is transforming with ongoing regeneration projects. It has a growing arts scene as well as excellent schools and a large stretch of green space known as Lloyd Park. For value and connectivity, Croydon is hard to beat as a cheaper area of London.

Newham

Another outer London borough that provides relatively inexpensive housing is Newham in east London. Newham suffers an unfair reputation due to past issues, but it is undergoing huge regeneration and becoming increasingly popular with young professionals and families. The average rent for a one-bed flat here is currently around £950-£1000 per month. Newham boasts incredible transport connections including the DLR, Jubilee Line, and the upcoming Elizabeth Line. It is also home to the massive Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which has attracted new residents to formerly industrial parts of the borough. Areas like Stratford and West Ham offer cheaper rent than zones 1-2 and continue to improve, making Newham a budget-friendly option that punches above its weight in terms of location.

Hackney

While Hackney is firmly on the hipster map today, there are still affordable areas to be found - you just need to look beyond trendy spots like Dalston. The average one-bed rent in Hackney Wick and Homerton is around £1100-£1200, noticeably lower than central Hackney itself. Both benefit from lovely parks, community vibes, and links to London Fields for leisure.

Homerton in particular sees bigger homes and flats for the money compared to zones 1 and 2. With the upcoming East London line extension and rejuvenation of Hackney Wick, these parts of Hackney are only set to improve further while retaining decent price tags compared to central zones. Connectivity is also excellent for zones 1 and 2 via overground, DLR, or bike along the Lee Valley park path.

Barking and Dagenham

Venturing further east brings the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, which remain seriously affordable for the capital. One-bed rents here average £800-900, almost unheard of for zones 3-4. Parts of Barking and Dagenham may lack the character of inner-city locales, but regeneration is creeping in and both benefit from quick and easy transport links including the District line, c2c lines, and upcoming Elizabeth line stations. The borough has seen a spike in young professional residents trading inner-London rents for more space out east. Valued amenities include the expansive Barking Park and proximity to outdoor scenic spots like Thames Barrier Park and River Roding Country Park. While more residential than trendy, Barking and Dagenham hands down provide London’s best value housing stock within the boundaries.

Harrow

Staying above ground, the northwest London borough of Harrow offers spacious family houses at competitive prices compared to nearby zones 3-4 areas. Average rents for a three-bed semi-detached house hover around £1500, making Harrow one of London’s most cost-effective choices for raising children or sharing with others. Transport connections into central London are smooth via Overground, Underground, or national rail into various stations. As with many cheaper London locales, a lack of nightlife is offset by peaceful, safe streets and ample green spaces like Harrow on the Hill and Stanmore Common. On the up with continued regeneration, parts of Harrow are also near outstanding state schools, securing its family appeal. With properties spacious enough for house shares, its value proposition sees Harrow consistently punching above other comparable commuter-belt areas.

Tooting

South London has become increasingly desirable in recent years, making Tooting stand out for its persistent affordability compared to neighboring Balham, Brixton, and Clapham. Average one-bed rent in Tooting hovers at £1100-1200, with excellent transport connections via Northern Line or National Rail. Tooting Broadway’s excellent variety of independent shops and vibrant market adds character and bustle. Meanwhile neighboring Tooting Bec Common provides leafy respite, helping Tooting retain its village feel despite gentrification creeping in. With its strong community spirit and still-affordable rents, Tooting feels a world apart from pricey south London hotspots while retaining easy access to central London. Regeneration around the station is also transforming Tooting into a more vibrant cultural hub without alienating long-time residents.

Stratford

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park regeneration transformed Stratford's fortunes, bringing vast employment, cultural, and leisure facilities to this eastern patch of Zone 2. Rents remain extremely reasonable for the location, with the average one-bed coming in at £1200-1300 per month. Nearby Westfield shopping centre and transport links including Jubilee line, DLR, Overground, and mainline ensure superb access to central London and beyond. The massive parkland setting benefits wellness too. Stratford's affordability looks to be dwindling, but it remains one of London's prime inner-city options for space and value close to the action. Nearby Maryland and Carpenters areas also offer similar benefits at equivalent rent brackets, showing east London’s persistent real estate bargains compared to central zones.

Catford

South-east London retains quality cheap housing stock, with Catford standing out compared to pricier zones 2-3 areas. With average one-bed rents around £1050-1100 per month, Catford provides excellent value. It boasts a charming high street with independent boutiques and cafes, while nearby Mountsfield Park delivers leafy relaxation. While lacking trendiness compared to nearby Lewisham or Forest Hill, Catford increasingly draws young urbanites with its own quirks and community feel. Transport is dependable with overground, DLR, and national rail into London Bridge within half an hour, and ongoing regeneration around the station is set to boost appeal further without inflating prices as witnessed elsewhere in the city. For quality, affordability, and community spirit, Catford earns its spot amongst London's top cheaper residential picks.

Hounslow

Venturing west provides the Hounslow area, where rents remain reasonable for proximity to Heathrow airport and London’s west. Average one-bedroom flats go for £1100-1200 per month here – extremely affordable for a transport hub on the District line and Heathrow Express. Parts of Hounslow feel suburban with parks and green spaces, while nearby Chiswick retains charm and nightlife. The Heathrow link makes Hounslow suitable for those working in aviation or looking to escape for weekends abroad. Regeneration is changing the face of Hounslow town itself while prices stay gentle compared to pricey areas like Richmond or Kew nearby. For value and connectivity in West London, Hounslow arguably tops cheaper housing options.

With careful searching, it is still possible to find affordable living across London if you broaden your net beyond over-gentrified central zones. The areas explored here remain London living's best value bets, balancing cost, space, transport links and community feel compared to premium parts of the capital. For those chasing the London dream on a budget, considering neighborhoods like Croydon, Newham, Tooting, Barking, and Hounslow can mean achieving your goals without hurting the wallet too badly each month.