Hampstead or Kingston

[Violina]

We love Hampstead, especially Heath very much however we also discovered a lovely very green and quiet place in Kingston (Coombe area) which is cheaper and close to Richmond park.
However Coombe area seems to be a little bit dead - no shops, cafes around and far from the city centre. We are both musicians (working from home mainly) and like to go out for the concert or taking our baby too (in the future).

Does anyone have experience in living those areas?

Coombe is basically a large private estate (private roads etc.) and, yes, its pretty dead.

If you want access to Richmond Park (and also the river), but still want a Hampstead type vibe, try Richmond itself or somewhere like Barnes village.

And there is plenty of artists and musicians in the area, including some rock start royalty!!

Thank you for your reply. I am not a very big fan of Richmond (I don’t know why), Barnes is ok. I think Kingston and Hampstead are more multicultural.

look at West Hampstead which is a bit cheaper than Hampstead but has much better transport connections and a good community.

I know both those areas quite well. I would choose Hampstead. Apart from being very nice, it's up on a hill so does not feel urban but is very central, much closer to central London than Kingston. How about Belsize Park or Primrose Hill? Even more central and very green

Thank you very much for your opinion. It looks like Primrose is more ex than Hampstead…😲😲 I’ll check Belsize Park. Thank you 😊

The whole area is expensive but Belsize Park is quite large and a bit of a hidden gem. The neighbouring areas are more well known

BP a hidden gem lol... Hampstead definitely over Kingston. Kingston is just expensive due to location and being 'safe' but it's really not that nice a town and very suburban. And reliant on trains. Hampstead is leafy village feel etc but much closer to central London, and has tube. Would definitely stay in that area if you can.

@SD25 why lol about BP? Just curious!

In Coombe you're nearer to West Wimbledon (shops & restaurants at the bottom of Copse Hill) or New Malden rather than Kingston. Depends where you are in Coombe!

I love Hampstead, but I also like Barnes. Kingston seems far out?

I have a friend in Coombe and they tend to drive everywhere, also have a friend in Hampstead and they walk. Depends what lifestyle and type of community you are looking for. If you are looking for independent cafes, restaurants, diversity of London I would go for Hampstead. IME Coombe is full of middle class, range rover types (yes there are those in Hampstead too but mixed in with the community).

Kingston is suburbia . Taxi home from your concert will take more than one hour. 80£ 12 miles

Hampstead primrose hill belsize park you are at your concert by taxi in 25 minutes or half an hour 25 £ 4 miles

Completely different places london vs outer london

I have a flat a short distance from Hampstead, in a cheaper postcode but very close to the heath. If I could afford to buy actually in it I would in a heartbeat. I walked over to South End Green the other day at lunchtime on a weekday and it was totally buzzing, lots of people out in the cafes and shopping. Expect it would be the same up in the village. The heath is so big you never get bored of it and great for kids, a little bit of almost-countryside.

You've got the Roundhouse just down the road in Chalk Farm, the Forum across in Kentish Town and easy access to town by tube or bus. Hampstead for me every time.

PS Primrose Hill is also lovely, but (to me) feels a bit more smug than Hampstead and the park is much smaller, though you do have Regent's Park close by as well.