Battersea is famous for local institutions including the dogs and cats home and the landmark power station, but it has much in the way of everyday amenities for locals, too. These are only increasing with the £8 billion redevelopment of the power station into a new riverside park and high street with new local businesses alongside the US Embassy and thousands of new homes.
This area has staying power, and those who cannot afford to buy a house before starting a family may compromise and settle for a larger flat in order to be able to remain in Battersea.
Battersea and the wider surrounding area have average crime, according to the Met police. Some wards have slightly higher crime rates or violence against the person rates than London as a whole, however.
Parking is about average in this area, and car ownership is slightly on the low side in Battersea. Road links are fairly good, and include the South Circular and Albert Bridge.
There is a good range of pubs, bars, and restaurants in this area. It is also just over the river from nightlife hotspot Chelsea, and transport links are good.
Battersea is definitely an area that appeals to families. This area has a wide range of property types that includes many multiple-bedroomed flats as well as larger houses which would make suitable family homes. Battersea is surrounded by green space, including Clapham Common and Battersea Park. Battersea Park in particular is well-loved by the local community, and in addition to being a lovely green space it has restored Victorian features and a relatively new winter garden. Schools are generally good, and homes near the popular primary schools (Honeywell and Belleville) are sold at a premium. There is also a bilingual English/French state school as well as a private French school, and a range of other private schools.
Many of the properties in this area are on the spacious side, though the homes along the river tend to be flats, rather than houses. Green space surrounds the area, including Clapham Common and Battersea Park, and the Thames provides opportunities for pleasant riverside walks. This would be a great place to own a dog.
Clapham Junction, Battersea Park, and Queenstown Road are in Zone 2 and offer rail services to Victoria and Waterloo. The impending arrival or the US Embassy facilitated plans for a Northern Line extension to two new Zone 1 stations, at Nine Elms and near the Battersea Park train station. The area is well-served by local buses. Road links are fairly good, and include the South Circular and Albert Bridge. Gatwick Airport is approximately half an hour away by train.