No Londoner wants to spend more than an hour commuting to the office, or what feels like years on a bus to meet a pal for coffee on a Saturday morning.
Now, the best-connected London neighbourhood with an ample supply of new homes has been crowned – and it’s just three minutes away from the centre of town, without commanding those sky-high Zone 1 prices.
Canada Water might seem like a sleepy suburb of Bermondsey, but it’s an idyllic location for those not wanting to compromise on transport links.
According to one study, 97% of buyers in London and 91% of tenants say that proximity to public transport is critical when choosing new digs.
So, to make life easier, one estate agent has crunched the numbers to highlight the best-connected London areas with homes currently for sale – all in Zone 2.
Transport links in Canada Water
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Want to ditch your lengthy commute? Canada Water is clearly the place to be, according to estate agent JLL.
Conveniently situated along the super speedy Jubilee Line, it’s a mere two stops from London Bridge, a journey which takes a mere three minutes.
Green Park is 10 minutes (or six stops) away, while north London is also within reach, as West Hampstead is 24 minutes (12 stops) from door to door.
It’s also a relatively reliable service, as in 2024, data from Transport for London found that 89.70% of Jubilee Line trains ran on time.
There were others that fared slightly better, though, as it was top marks for the Waterloo and City line (100%), and almost five stars for the Victoria Line (92.40%).
There’s also the Overground, as it’s nestled along the Windrush Line – and connected to the likes of Clapham Junction (which is 26 minutes away), Crystal Palace (21 minutes), and Highbury & Islington (21 minutes). What more could a busy Londoner need?
House prices in Canada Water
Canada Water might be synonymous with speedy transport links, but it doesn’t come cheap.
According to Rightmove, over the last year, homes in the area went for an average of £624,273, which burns in comparison with the going rate across the UK (£268,250, as data from Zoopla shows).
In positive news, though, buying a home in Canada Water seems to be ever so slightly under the typical prices in the Big Smoke, which over the last year, have averaged out at £679,183 (£54,910 more expensive). Sometimes, you have to take the wins where you can.
Canada Water is increasingly on the up too, with the extensive Canada Water Masterplan granted in 2020. Scheduled to be completed in 10 to 15 years’ time, the plans stretch across Canada Dock, Canada Water Library, and Surrey Quays station.
If you’re thinking about moving to the area, it’s worth checking the blueprints first if you want to avoid being surrounded by diggers for the best part of a decade.
In terms of new-build homes currently for sale in the area, there are plenty of options available through Peabody, and more on the way from Redloft.
Shared ownership is an option too, with a one-bedroom flat starting at £116,875 (which works out at 25% of a £467,500 share, and requires a £11,688 deposit).
On the renting side of things, Canada Water also proves relatively cheap compared to its neighbours.
Data from the Office For National Statistics shows that while tenants in North Greenwich are paying the highest monthly sums to their landlords in the area at £1,311, Canada Water has the lowest rents in SE at £864.
Things to do in Canada Water
Freshly opened in April, Corner Corner is a foodie paradise – a brand-new food hall concept with its own jazz club and impressive events space.
There are tonnes of food stalls inside, including Chick’N’Sours with their famous Korean-style chicken burgers, Taiwanese street food from Jou Jou Bites, and Mexican food from MASA Tacos.
For a quick bite, crepes galore are available at Necos Creperie, with toppings including everything from Nutella with strawberry and banana to Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, and even pork meatballs, cheese, and pesto.
If matcha’s your thing, Chá-Fé has been hailed as a ‘hidden gem’ – the perfect summer beverage, particularly after a swim at the newly reopened Love Open Water swimming spot in Canary Wharf.
It welcomes swimmers of all abilities, so you needn’t be able to go for lengths and lengths to cool down with a dip.
It’s completely separate from the River Thames too, and glistens with water so blue you’d think you were on holiday for a moment.
For a spot of brunch at the weekend, Leadbelly’s Bar and Kitchen is simply a must, serving up a full English, pancakes, and fried eggs in abundance.
What locals are saying about Canada Water
Locals have long been singing the praises of Canada Water, with one describing it on the r/London Subreddit as ‘family orientated.’
‘[There are] lots of green spaces, parks, [and it’s] close to [the] Thames River Walk,’ they penned.
‘It’s nice living in a suburban type setting with open spaces and the river, and with excellent transport links to pretty much anywhere in London easily.’
@thejamsandwich added that it’s ‘quiet,’ while @throwawaynewc said that the area is mostly made up of ‘young professionals and young families.’ And in Zoopla’s eyes, it’s a ‘hidden gem’ that’s ideal for ‘peaceful metropolitan living.’
‘It has a nice, gentrified vibe. Food trucks, open-air night food market every weekend,’ they noted, and @ZonedV2 reckons that the area will be ‘highly desirable area in a few years’ time.’
However, not everyone has pleasant things to say about Canada Water. In @otvas’s humble opinion, it has ‘no soul’ and is ‘a bit artificial,’ while @rwja believes it’s an ‘absolute s***show in rush hour.’
‘Not fun. It’s also a boring ghost town,’ they added. ‘Like an unposh Wapping.’
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