An affluent, quiet, family-friendly neighborhood.
St. John's Wood has a low violent crime rate and a below average property crime rate for London.
St John’s Wood is a bit of a secret even to those who live in London. The leafy streets and enormous mansions are quite famous, but people don’t actually know all that much about the area. Home to celebrities, dignitaries, and old money, St. John’s Wood is regularly listed as one of the most expensive neighborhoods to live in London.
The area was built for the wealthy originally, and that is who still lives here, though the history is a bit salacious as the mansions were often used to house the mistresses of London’s rich and famous. Edging up against the iconic Abbey Road and Abbey Road Studios, a lot of the community is involved with the music industry in some way. For American expats, St. John’s Wood is a popular destination for those who can afford it.
The detached homes found here are a bit of a rarity in central London, so that makes living in St. John’s Wood a great option for families. Within the next decade or so, there will be newly developed high end condos for those that want the luxury but don’t need a lot of space.
Due to the family-oriented nature of the community, it's very quiet and lacks any real nightlife. There are some boutiques and a few bars that cater to the elite, but you won’t find a place to sit down and have a quick casual beer. Everything else you would need to make a life is here, however, but you will be paying a premium for all of it – from a loaf of bread to a hair cut.
Lord’s Cricket Ground is a historic destination for many residents and tourists alike. You can catch a few games every week or just tour the grounds. The library is another popular meeting space, with two popular book clubs.
St. John's Wood is bordered on the north by South Hampstead and Swiss Cottage, on the east by Primrose Hill and Regent's Park, on the south by Lisson Grove, and on the west by Maida Vale and Kilburn Park.
Commute:
The City: 4.9 miles / 25-55 minutes by car / 30 minutes by transit
Canary Wharf: 8.2 miles / 30-70 minutes by car / 35 minutes by transit
Southwark: 5.9 miles / 30-65 minutes by car / 25 minutes by transit
Westminster: 3.4 miles / 15-30 minutes by car / 25 minutes by transit / 25 minutes by bike
Shoreditch: 4.8 miles / 20-45 minutes by car / 40 minutes by transit / 30-35 minutes by bike
St John's Wood LOCAL schools
Photo Credits: Thanks to @stjohnswoodlondon, @niamhbrownlee, @shirinjg, @Ewan Munro for your great photos of this neighborhood!
