Where would you live - no kids central London?

[TintyMinty]

Where would you live - no kids semi retired (WFH) want to immersed in London cultural life (theatre / galleries / museums / events etc ) not interested in restaurants/shops/bars) would like green space nearby. Thinking Primrose Hill, St John’s Wood, Marylebone anywhere else in zone 1 (don’t want to have a car)?

We lived In Primrose Hill for a few year pre-kids (and for a year with a baby) and I can't tell you how much I loved it. It's a fabulous community in and of itself, with so much going on and such a lovely atmosphere, and all of London is on your doorstep.

I hope to retire there myself one day.

I’d look again at Belsize Park, Hampstead Heath kind of area, maybe even Kentish Town?! Quick tube and overground links to all the cultural stuff, the Heath is gorgeous and you could prob squeeze a house so no service charge.

or if you’re happy with a flat and the service charge and potential headaches with all of that and neighbours etc, I’d also go for Marylebone or Bermondsey street!

Don't think I'd want to be in Zone 1 tbh. Public transport is so good in London getting into Zone 1 is not a problem. Would choose somewhere SW and on the river. Chiswick, Barnes, Kew, Richmond area.

another vote for Bloomsbury! So jealous of you OP what a great dilemma to have!

Mayfair

Love Marylebone and there are very nice pockets of green space. I'd also have a look around Connaught Street between Marble Arch and Paddington. Lots of character, Hyde Park and squares with private gardens with people that aren't nearly as annoying as Notting Hill. Alternatively, Lloyd Square area near Kings Cross - it has a very nice (not private) square, Amwell Street for shops and more greenery around Myddleton Square.

Chelsea! I'd move there in a nanosecond, to a pretty terraced house just off the Kings Road, nearish to Sloane Sq.

You'd need a budget of about £4m though 😞

I'd suggest Bloomsbury too. I studied at UCL and loved that area. Lovely parks and so close to everything with great transport links. That garden flat that someone posted is amazing!

If only zone 1, I would go for Fitzrovia or Marylebone areas. You'd be within walking distance of everything central, including both Hyde and Regents parks.
If you can consider zone 2, next to Victoria Park in east London is delightful - regularly voted London's best park! And just a short journey by tube into the centre. It's where I live so I'm biased but I enjoy the things you've listed and I love living here.

Barbican would be my choice

Warwick square or Eccleston square so you get access to the incredible private garden squares.

We used to live in Little Venice and you'd get a three bed for your budget (although may have to compromise on the size of the third bed). Love being near the canal and close enough to run to Hyde Park and Regents Park. You can walk to the West End in half an hour or you have the Bakerloo line which is very convenient. Lovely wide roads and lots of trees. My parents live on the Southbank and although it's a great location, I always love coming back to W9.

bermondsey street (actually closer to London bridge than actual Bermondsey) is fantastic, a real village feel right in the heart of London. But gets busier on the weekends with all the visitors! And probably more ideal for you if you like trendy restaurants and bars etc

The Pimlico flat you linked to is right on one of my favourite running routes - you could literally drop onto the river and carry on to Hampton Court if you wanted to.

Shad Thames! A real undiscovered gem right by Tower Bridge, and a short stroll to London Bridge. Lovely warehouse apartments, many with river view. Much quieter than London Bridge/Bermondsey Street, but you are only a stone's throw away from London Bridge/river/south bank. Would suit your budget.

I love Fitzrovia, you could walk to anywhere that was worth going to!

Can I come too?!

Marylebone

What a great thread - a chance to indulge our fantasies! I would choose Bloomsbury first - lots of lovely squares, Lincoln's Inn or green spaces and walkable to National Gallery, Somerset House etc and lots of theatres. I'd also give Victoria a chance (no idea of prices). I am always amazed how quiet the streets off Victoria Street are. Perfect for St James's Park too and walkable to theatres on The Strand or Trafalgar Studios.

Holland Park

We live in Clerkenwell and absolutely love it. Lived here before kids, now have 2 but never want to leave. So central, easy to walk anywhere. We need to upsize soon and will probably have to move a bit further out 😭
What about the Barbican? I’d love to live there!

If money was no object, Westminster. Everything in walking distance

How about this one. Right on the River Thames and with a nature reserve just round the corner.

House on the Thames

Maida Vale

I’d go anywhere near Regents Park or Holland Park. Such lovey areas and nice parks. Or Bloomsbury. I’d stay away from Clerkenwell and East in general, and I’m saying that as someone who lived in Bethnal Green, Stepney, Isle of Dogs etc areas and truly loved it, but as a young person and later with kids, it’s amazing for community etc., but if money is no object and I was semi-retired, I’d go West or central like Bloomsbury. I’d never be tempted by anywhere south of the river, sorry, Pinlico I find wannabe fancy and Battersea (lived there too!) is just not metropolitan enough of you want city bustle, it has an air of fancy suburban I think. Hampstead is lovely too, but if you want to be immersed in city life I’d say too far out. Oooh how lovey to be in your position, good luck! Love London and miss the city every day since I left.