The ‘vibrant’ London neighbourhood named the city’s best to live in 2025

Whether it’s an abundance of local coffee spots, a choice of green spaces, or proximity to a Tube station, there are various elements that inform where Londoners choose to put down roots.

Now, the question has definitively been settled: the capital’s best borough to live in has been named – and much to North London loyals, it’s south of the river.

Taking the top spot for 2025 is Lambeth, which is home to vibrant areas like Brixton, Kennington, Gipsy Hill, and Vauxhall.

The borough was given its crown by the New London Architecture Awards, which looked at the restaurants on offer, as well as crime rates, access to green spaces, and community projects. Plus, it’s backed by Sadiq Khan.

Housing in Lambeth

As is the case throughout London, securing housing in Lambeth comes with a pretty steep price tag. According to ONS statistics, in October 2025, the average monthly rent was £2,476, a 10.3% jump from last year.

Getting a mortgage is even more difficult, as over the previous 12 months, the average home in the borough sold for £626,266 – more than twice the UK going rate of £272,000, might we add.

Now, Lambeth has quite the range of neighbourhoods, including boujee Waterloo and Clapham, so prices definitely vary depending on where you choose.

If you’re looking for something that’s ever so slightly more affordable though, Streatham is just the ticket, as Rightmove data shows that, over the last year, the typical house sold for £549,578. Still spenny, but not as eye-watering compared to the borough overall, and a big saving againstLondon’s £665,215 figure.

West Norwood is also a fairly good bet at £594,554, while homes in Tulse Hill average out at £574,996.

Things to do in Lambeth

I might be biased considering the fact that I live in Lambeth, but I truly do believe that it’s the place to be.

For starters, we’ve got Brixton – which, yes, can be extremely chaotic, but is never dull, at least.

There are multiple music venues, including the Grade II listed O2 Academy Brixton, which has played host to some of the biggest names on the world stage, from the likes of David Bowie and The Clash to Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX and Radiohead.

There’s also Electric Brixton, and of course, The Windmill, a gritty punk venue that’s constantly humming with a good bassline. It’s on a fairly unsuspecting, residential street, but once you’re inside, it’s like being transported back to an old-fashioned working men’s club (albeit with a few more hip young student types).

There’s also a pub for every occasion, including the always-heaving Duke of Edinburgh, famous for serving up Guinness by the bucketload, the Trinity Arms, historic dance hall Effra Social, and the family-friendly Elm Park Tavern.

If Sunday morning pastries and walks are more your thing, then grab a basque cheesecake slice (or a jambon beurre, depending on your vibe) and a coffee from Maya’s Bakehouse and head over to Brockwell Park to enjoy impeccable views over London, a beautiful pond, and even a model railway.

Cinema is also sorted, with Picturehouse-owned The Ritzy standing proudly in Windrush Square. As well as showing the latest films, it often puts on talks, and has become renowned for the signs it puts up outside, which can be commissioned by locals and range from proposals to good luck notes.

With such a diverse community surrounding it, there are foodie options aplenty. Inside Brixton Village, there’s Venezuelan food at Arepa, Caribbean at Fish, Wings and Tings, Nepalese at House of Momo, and Cantonese at Three Uncles, plus £3 tacos at Two Twins Tacos on Tuesdays.

Lambeth also covers a number of equally bustling places like Kennington, Streatham, and Herne Hill.

Kennington is home to one of my favourite pubs in London, The White Bear, while Herne Hill is a haven for quaint independent businesses, including Lulu’s (great for a flat white), Herne Hill Books, and The Sicilian Deli. For a beer or two, head to Off The Cuff.

Towards central, set in the borough’s more touristy areas, you’ll also find a range of well-known attractions, from the London Eye to the Southbank Centre and the Oval cricket ground.

In terms of culture, there’s the iconic Tate Modern, alongside the Imperial War Museum and the Florence Nightingale Museum – or, if getting out in nature is more your thing, there’s green space aplenty with the likes of Streatham Common, Clapham Common, Norwood Park and Ruskin Park.

A thriving LGBTQ+ scene

Earlier this year, Lambeth was named the most popular borough in London for LGBTQ+ people. And, according to the latest Census, 8.3% of Lambeth’s residents are LGBTQ+, while neighbouring Southwark rests at 8.1%. The only other area to trump both was the City of London, at 10.3%.

From Vauxhall to Brixton (AKA the home of queer pop festival. Mighty Hoopla), there’s so much in Lambeth enticing queer and trans people to the area.

There’s the iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Hailed as the ‘beating heart of Vauxhall,’ it’s the oldest surviving queer venue in South London – a title which has earned it Grade II-listed status.

Built between 1860 and 1862, drag shows were reportedly held there as early as the post-WWII years, as servicemen returned from war.

Throughout the 1980s, Lily Savage (Paul O’Grady’s drag persona) had a regular show there, taking to the stage four times a week for eight years – long before The Lily Savage Show first aired in 1997.

Gay icon Princess Diana was also known to frequent the beloved RVT and was reportedly once smuggled into the venue by Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett. The pair dolled the royal up in men’s clothes so she could stay incognito, and no one batted an eyelid.

These days, the RVT channels the spirit of Pride 365 days a year, with regular performances from the likes of David Hoyle and Myra DuBois.

Also in Vauxhall, LGBTQ+ bar and club Eagle serves up tipples aplenty in an expansive beer garden, and hosts residents Horse Meat Disco every Sunday. Beats the end-of-weekend scaries, right?

What do locals say about living in Lambeth

In terms of the local perception, Lambeth (Brixton, specifically) has been praised by @kingjocc over on the r/London Subreddit as a ‘super vibrant and cultural spot, [with] great nightlife.’

Another fan, @kingjocc, moved to Brixton from New York a few years ago, and describes the food scene as ‘amazing,’ adding: ‘Super vibrant and cultural spot, great nightlife, and well-connected to the city.’

Vauxhall resident @adz92 hailed the ‘quick access’ it offers to a large chunk of London, and wealth of amenities, adding: ‘There are some lovely pubs and restaurants around as well.’

Meanwhile, @the_hillman called the neighbourhood around Kennington and Oval ‘a bloody amazing area to live’, with @fatjesus23 saying they ‘honestly cannot believe how underrated’ it is.

In terms of the borough more generally, @jannerinlondon20 said it’s ‘Well connected,’ with ‘Amazing parks, great places for food, and a ‘good mix of people from different backgrounds,’ but noted it suffered with many of the same issues London deals with, including ‘insane’ housing costs and crime.

A version of this article was first published on June 20, 2025.

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