Clapham vs Hampstead

[fannita]

We are looking at buying our first home, a 1-2 bed flat with outside space. I like Clapham, Battersea and between the commons area. More for your money and pleasant surroundings.

Dh prefers Hampstead area, seems a bit posher, but more expensive and better connected. It feels a bit older than Clapham but that might jot be a bad thing as we are approaching 30 (!)

Where do you work? Are children in your plan? I prefer Clapham/between the commons but your DH is right, West Hampstead in particular is v well connected!

Hampstead is lovely and I would love to live there if I could afford it. It is more expensive & “older” than Clapham though and you’re still young at about 30.

To me anyway! I’m in my 50s.

It depends what you want. Clapham is more lively in terms of bars, restaurants and going out, and yes is younger for sure. But Hampstead has a lot more charm imo (i have a flat close by) and for green space in London it can’t be beaten. You’ve also got Camden venues like the Roundhouse down the road. But yup it’s hellish expensive because it’s so very very desirable.

I’d spend a couple of saturdays walking around both areas, go and see some flats and see how you feel.

i've been in West Hampstead 10 years and highly recommend it - excellent transport connections, good for families, less expensive and less pretentious than Hampstead proper.

are you constrained by commuting / family connections / schools or anything?

If you are planning children in the next few years then between the commons is hard to beat. So much for small ones in a stone’s throw. If you are not planning DC then maybe best to avoid as they are everywhere!

Hampstead is great for families. Huge range of schools if you're looking at private. Loads of clubs and activities from babies to school age. Wonderful green spaces. Property will hold its value.

I'd choose Hampstead out of those two areas.

But a lot depends on you and your future plans for having a family or not...and where you work

I'd go for Hampstead. Cleaner air, calmer area. Lovely rolling parkland instead of flat, dull common.

No contest.

I'd choose hampstead over Clapham any day.

Hampstead or the surrounding area if you can afford it, tube line, buses, parks, green spaces, easy to get around and loads to do. Clapham is OK if you need trains to Victoria. The new Batteresea Power Station area around the bridge would be easier for transport. What's the budget. I would look at share of freehold too.

Clapham is really bad for Victoria - you have to change to get there whether you're using trains or tube.

Much better to be in Battersea as there are loads of trains from Clapham Junction and buses. The "between the Commons" area is also Battersea, so I'd say that was a candidate area. But not Clapham, unless your commute is Northern Line and you don't mind it being v crowded. Abbeville "village" area might be worth a look, plus Old Town (Rectory Grove and streets off it)

(Clapham Junction is not in Clapham)

OP hasn’t mentioned Victoria has she?

Commute is a good point though - where do you both work?

Hampstead for me, if it won't blow your budget

@minipie No, she hadn't, but a pp said that Clapham was good if they needed to get to Victoria. That's not right- I think she may have meant Battersea which is where Clapham Junction is (CJ is not in Clapham) and that's the station which is good for Victoria. I wanted to avoid OP getting the wrong end of that stick, as it's easily confused.

Between the commons any day of the week. I find Hampstead a bit stuffy

we are in a similar situation, 3 kids which are attending indie schools. What is the best area to live in Clapham which rivals or is similar to Hampstead? I am thinking which streets, exact postcode? Also for commutting to the city (Moorgate/liverpool str/bank). Many thanks!

I'm a bit surprised by the comments - I’m actually familiar with both areas. In terms of accessibility, I find Clapham Common more convenient than West Hampstead. While I really like the Hampstead Heath area, I’d still choose Clapham over or South Hampstead overall. That said, if you need to get to Victoria regularly, Highbury is much better connected via the Victoria Line, though Clapham still offers an easy commute there. Ultimately, the right area depends on your long-term priorities, whether that’s career, family, or lifestyle. Personally, I prefer Hampstead, but Clapham may offer more flexibility career-wise. And if having children is part of your plan, it’s definitely worth considering the local schools.

Hampstead is considerably nicer than Clapham, no contest.

Your areas are quite vague, but my personal ranking would be:

1. Between the Commons
2. Actual Hampstead (although only if you have high tolerance for tourists & influencers at weekends)
3. Battersea Park
4. West Hampstead
5. The bit round the bottom of Hampstead Heath that leads towards Dartmouth Park/Kentish Town
6. Clapham

How can one be looking at such different areas? It's like comparing Naples against Florence.

We moved to Hampstead (NW3) in our early 30ies. Previously in St John’s Wood (NW8). No contest in my mind, but I would say that, wouldn’t I?

Hampstead is lovely

I've lived in both, plus West Hampstead - and West Hampstead would be my pick every time. Not as staid as Hampstead, great transport links, close enough to Hampstead to wander over once in a while.

Clapham is like a little bit of smooth skin on London’s otherwise pustulous arse south of the river.

Hampstead v Clapham? You might as well compare St Tropez to Blackpool.

Everyone I knew that lived in Clapham (and that was a lot of people at one stage) grew tired of the party vibe on the high street late at night (and waking up to streets littered with vomit and food waste etc).