Once a little sleepy village, Fulham has become, over the recent years, one of the favourite neighbourhoods for expatriate International families.
Located in south-west London (SW6), Fulham is connected to the centre of London by the District Line with the following Tube stations: Fulham Broadway, Parson’s Green and Putney Bridge.
Let’s start with the Fulham Broadway area. I would say this is the busiest part and urban district. If you like shopping, you’ll be spoiled for choice: Waitrose, Whole Foods Market, Marks and Spencer, a mini shopping centre (with a cinema), and of course a wealth of restaurants and cafes.
A very popular road in this area is North End Road with its outdoor market opening on every day of the week. This is where locals come to do bargain purchases in Pounds Shops and other variety stores.
Change of scenery with Parson’s Green, a small park located on New King’s Road, gave its name to the tube station and is traditionally the most exclusive part of Fulham.
Many Foodies and Lifestyle independent shops settled there since soaring property prices forced them to leave the posh Chelsea quarter.
The heart of Fulham has captured some of the unique characteristics of its neighbour Chelsea: a mix of independent and creative shops, associated with a privileged environment.
Two of my favourites are the excellent butcher Parson’s Nose and Halva Bakery on Fulham Road (the best baguette in London!).
At the extreme western part of Fulham, a little remote and by the river Thames (near the famous River Café) lies Bishops Park and the Alphabet Streets neighbourhood (the first letter of each street along Fulham Palace Road follows the order of the alphabet).
Between Parson’s Green and South Park, is the Peterbourough Estate, characterized by its red brick house enfilades topped with Lion statuettes. These feature figures gave it their nickname Lion’s Houses.
This part of Fulham is traditionally popular with French families, due to the presence of the French primary school Marie d’Orliac. Lots of nice shops along Wandsworth Bridge Road.
Finally, to the east, crossing the busy Wandsworth Bridge Road, lies the district of Sands End.
It was historically the industrial part of Fulham with lots of factories and warehouses.
The area was redeveloped in recent years with Chelsea Harbour construction and several other recent luxury property programs as Chelsea and Fulham Creek Riverside, currently under construction.
Fulham offers to families all that they are looking for, within an urban setting in terms of accommodations, schools, leisure and shopping. But it will come with a price tag: the budget for renting a house will be around £ 3,000 and £ 4,500 per month for a 3 bedroom house, and between £ 700,000 and £ 2.5 million for the same property to purchase.
Property prices October 2016.