Living in Kensal Green: transport links, parking, schools, best streets — and the average cost of monthly rent

In a prime Zone 2 location and with such a variety of independent cafés, shops and bars, Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Green was named hippest high street in Europe by Vogue — but has remained down-to earth and is still mostly frequented by locals, unlike its equivalents in Islington or Hackney.

This is reflected in the kind of people drawn to the area: a mix of a boho-luxe crowd priced out of nearby Notting Hill and Queen’s Park, with a slightly younger influx of renters who’ve “grown out of hipster areas like Shoreditch”, according to local Marsh & Parsons estate agent Brian Ashe.

Kensal Green is becoming an increasingly popular spot for corporate relocations for Facebook and Google, according to Brian Ashe.

The area is also perennially popular with creatives, thanks in part to the independent spirit of Chamberlayne Road.

Parking in Brent costs between £49 and £470 for two years, depending on vehicle emissions. There is a £98 diesel surcharge over 24 months.

Crime in Kensal Green is slightly below the London average with eight crimes reported per 1,000 residents.

The most commonly reported crimes are assault without injury, harassment, and miscellaneous theft.

Our featured renter Stephanie’s housemate loves the council-run Moberly Sports Centre and swimming pool , which he says is cheap, clean and has a great community feel.

The area is hot on yoga studios with Rise Yoga Space, Yogaloft, hot yoga studio Fierce Grace and classes and treatment rooms at The Yard @Gracelands.

Martial Arts students can also practice aikido at Notting Hill Aikikai.

The most popular roads for young families looking for houses to rent are Whitmore Gardens and Herbert Gardens — which lead on to Chamberlayne Road with its restaurants, bars and cafés — and also Ashburnham Road and Clifford Gardens, according to Brian Ashe of Marsh & Parsons.

Primary schools rated “good” by Ofsted include Furness, Kenmont, Princess Frederica CofE, and Ark Franklin Primary Academy.

Stephanie describes Kensal Green as a “food shopping desert” but there are two small Tesco Express stores in Chamberlayne Road as well as a couple of Londis convenience stores.

Nearer Kensal Rise station there’s Rise and Vine wine shop and Brooks Butchers and Deli.

For such a central area, Kensal Green has a surprisingly poor bus network.

Artist and yoga fan Stephanie Psarros, 32, disproves the commonly held perception of London as a swirling metropolis full of transient renters.

She rents in Kensal Green in NW10 and also grew up in north-west London.

In fact, Stephanie went to school just around the corner from where she works now.

She is a yoga fan and her main income is from working at Indaba Yoga Studio in Marylebone, where you'll find her front of house and in the shop.

Before moving to Kensal Green, where she shares a flat with a lawyer friend, she had rented only two stops along on the Bakerloo line.

"It's like when you go travelling," she says. "You see people who've lived in their village or town their entire lives and you think 'wow, they've never left'. But it's exactly the same thing for me — I'm still in north-west London.

"I'm happy living here, in fact, I love it. I live in a very peaceful street where you never hear a car at night. It's a very relaxed neighbourhood but you can still get into town very easily."

She pays half the rent of £1,650 a month, not including bills, for her share of a two-bedroom period conversion first-floor flat.

Stephanie attended art school and supplements her income now by selling her artwork and a range of jewellery that she designs herself.

She used to rent an artist's studio but there is enough room in the Kensal Green flat for her to work from home.

Stephanie's art and jewellery is available to buy on her website s-psarros.com and via Instagram @s-psarros.

Stephanie chose Kensal Green to remain on the Bakerloo line, so she can get to work at Indaba in time to open up at 6.45am.

The area is also on the Overground line from Euston to Watford Junction.

Nearby Kensal Rise station is on the Overground line linking Richmond and Highbury & Islington.

Stephanie recommends Verandah for gifts and interiors pieces.

There are two branches — one in College Road and the other in Chamberlayne Road. She also loves Gem Porium, "a fab vintage shop".

Paradise Plantbased is one of Stephanie's favourite places to meet a friend for tea or breakfast.

She also loves new opening Sonora for fresh Mexicanstyle food and breakfast, and Arthur's is "a great caff close to Kensal Rise station".

For an evening meal Comptoir V serves vegetarian and vegan food and the Whippet Inn is Stephanie's favourite local pub.

The Lexi Cinema is a volunteer-run independent venue donating all its profits to charity.

As an artist Stephanie loves having the London Print Studio within walking distance in Harrow Road.

She says: "I screen print there, it's gorgeous as it backs on to the canal, it's a lovely place to print."

Stephanie loves Queen's Park and Kensal Green Cemetery, which is on her doorstep, and which was the first of London's "Magnificent Seven" private cemeteries, established in the 19th century.

Inspired by Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, it's an atmospheric spot for a stroll, she says.