This highly desirable neighborhood has it all…if you can afford it.
Maida Vale has a below average violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate for London.
Maida Vale seems like a place like a place out of a poster you’ve seen – and that's probably because it is: the neighborhood is home to the crosswalk made famous by The Beatle's Abbey Road album cover. Today, car traffic can still get bogged down at that intersection as tourists try to recreate the scene.
But beyond the most famous crosswalk in the world, Maida Vale is a peaceful place with great stucco architecture, beautiful views of the canal, and quiet, winding streets. There are also hidden communal gardens that are a favorite place to enjoy the sunshine or read a book.
The homes in this area are breathtaking. You'll find stunning, Victorian-period mansions that belong to a single family and others that have been converted into apartments. Many of these homes are heavily sought after and can be quite expensive. For those who are a little lessfree wheeling with their money, there are flats build in the 1930s that tend to be slightly lower in price, though nothing here is really for someone on a tight budget. And if older homes aren’t your style, there are plans to build new housing in the area in the coming years.
The flip side of high home prices is that you also get a lot of local amenities. The restaurants and pubs here are some of the best in the city. From rooftop bistros overlooking the neighborhood canal to boutique bars with adventurous cocktail menus, it has a great range of options. Two of the most famous restaurants are Warwick Castle and The Prince Alfred, which have been around since the 19th Century. There are some tasty Italian restaurants for your pasta fix.
On the lifestyle side, Maida Vale has a thriving theater scene, including quite a few options for children. The neighborhood provides various summer programs, puts on community festivals, and offers boat trips down the canal. Gyms and health clubs cater to the upper class residents and beauty salons, nail bars, and spas also dot the neighborhood. The area has many organic grocery options for those who love to cook and eat healthy. For gardeners, Clifton Nurseries has become a well-known nursery selling garden accessories, exotic flowers, and gorgeous bouquets.
Public transportation in the area is often overlooked because many residents use private cars or cabs. However, Maida Vale falls on the Bakerloo Line and allows you to get into other parts of London fairly quickly. Cycling is also quite popular here.
Maida Vale is bordered on the north by St. John's Wood, on the east by Lisson Grove, on the south by Paddington, and on the west by North Kensington.
Commute:
The City: 5.2 miles / 25-55 minutes by car / 30-35 minutes by transit
Canary Wharf: 8.7 miles / 35-80 minutes by car / 45 minutes by transit
Southwark: 3.4 miles / 30-60 minutes by car / 35 minutes by transit
Westminster: 3.6 miles / 15-30 minutes by car / 30-35 minutes by transit / 25 minutes by bike
Shoreditch: 5.1 miles / 25-55 minutes by car / 40 minutes by transit
Maida Vale LOCAL schools
Photo Credits: Thanks to @valenciaverona, @MattLake , @Kathleen Tyler Conklin , @Harshil Shah , @Ewan Munro , @Casper Moller , @theaptmt, @izzyb91, @yejimonster, @theupshotpictures, @maya_perkins_, @dreamliker_, cyruza, @mrsrockbakehouse, @vojnovski for your great photos of this neighborhood!
