Moving to Islington: what you need to know
A trendy hot spot just 4 miles from central London, Islington is a highly popular destination in North London. The small but diverse area is liberal and very desirable, boasting some of the city’s best culinary offerings and world class theatres. Islington is also a green borough, with over 150 parks.
If you are a young professional looking to live and thrive in a bustling and artsy London location, this could be the perfect new home for you.
Islington – a brief history
Like much of London, Islington has grown from a small village with its origins in Saxon settlement to a busy 21st century London borough.
The area was devastated by intense bombing during World War II, with much of the area being rebuilt in the 1950’s and 60’s. Through regeneration, development and investment, the area recovered from the devastation to become one of London’s most populated and popular boroughs.
Islington: the highlights and culture
The home of the foodie: Islington is one of the UK’s most restaurant dense locations. The food and cuisine scene here attract new residents and tourists alike, with people from London, the rest of the UK, and abroad coming into the area to sample the range of places to eat.
The culture of the area is notably artistic, with a passion for independent retailers selling antiques, art and furniture. There are also a number of great theatres, such as Almeida and Sadler’s Wells.
Islington’s amenities and bustling night life attract young professionals to the area. And the recent influx of tech companies and start-ups setting up home on Upper Street have given the area the new name ‘Silicon Roundabout’.
Things to do in Islington
Here are some our favourite things to do, places to eat, and attractions to visit in Islington:
• Fifteen restaurant – visit the upmarket restaurant owned by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver for a truly memorable meal.
• Camden Passage – explore the pedestrianised area full of markets and stores found just behind Upper Street, it’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
• Everyman Screen on the Green – this single screen cinema theatre is an institution, and takes away the stress of picking what to see!
• Ottolenghi – this incredibly fashionable restaurant is a real place to be seen along Upper Street.
• Freightliner’s Farm – come hang out with goats, pigs and other farm animals at this inner-city farm community project.
Where to live in Islington
As with all of London’s most sought-after boroughs, property prices here are at a premium. In fact, thanks to the culture and amenities here Islington is one of the city’s top 10 most expensive boroughs to live in.
There is a wide range of properties in the borough: modern luxe apartments, converted terraces, and Georgian and Victorian terraced period family homes.
The most popular (and expensive) areas are:
• Angel
• Clerkenwell
• Old Street
• Highbury and Islington
The further south you go, the more affordable the housing – so many are drawn to the Holloway and Archway areas. It’s also important to note that the rental housing market here is made up of 85% apartments.
For the ultimate in easy home moving, why not let our Home Finding Experts find your new Islington dream home?
Family life and education in Islington
Islington boasts an excellent educational reputation. 100% of secondary schools in the area achieve either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted ratings, and there are a number of very popular and high achieving primary schools too.
Some of the area’s most popular schools:
• William Tynedale Primary School
• St Peter and St Paul RC Primary School
• St Aloysius RC College
• Highbury Fields School
For those looking for further and higher education, Islington is home to the University of London.
Our School Search Experts are here to help you find the perfect school for your family. If you’re moving to Islington, let us help you with you with choosing and applying for your children’s new schools.
Travel information
Islington’s popularity is partially thanks to its central location and excellent transport links. The borough is connected to the rest of the capital thanks to Overground, Underground and Great Northern Train Lines.
For travel to East London, you can use the Overground lines. Residents and visitors to the area can access the Victoria, Piccadilly and Northern Lines on the tube for travel elsewhere.
There are good and frequent bus routes to the surrounding boroughs and the city from Islington, and it’s only 30 minutes by foot into central London.
How can Santa Fe Relocation help with your Islington move?
If you’re looking to move to Islington, let us help. With over 120 years of moving experience we are the experts to make your London move easy. Whether you are moving in or out of Islington, from the UK or abroad, we make every step of the moving process enjoyable, taking care of everything and even unpacking your belongings at your new address.
We make moving home easy.
