Commonly called a “commuter’s paradise,” Hammersmith is an area of West London that is easy to get into and out of. It can feel like many people are just passing through, but there are several vibrant and historic local hangouts, particularly on the riverside. A recent survey from the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham found that 87% of respondents were either very or fairly satisfied with their local area as a place to live. The central borough figure was 84%, roughly covering the Hammersmith area.
Interviewed for online local magazine “Keeping Things Local,” estate agent Elliot Rowe said that “People talk to each other in the street and really enjoy living here. There is a real community feel. We also have old friends living locally which means there is a lot of socialising at home, in pubs and along the river.”
Safety after dark has increased, with two thirds of all Borough residents feeling safe. Safety during the day was also high, with 89% of respondents feeling very safe or fairly safe. A lower proportion of respondents felt that the key crimes of robbery and burglary were a problem, but more perceived motor vehicle crime as a problem. 71% of Hammersmith and Fulham residents that felt safe in the centre of the Borough after dark. Burglaries, violence against the person, and motor vehicle crime have all decreased in recent years. Based on 999 calls the most common forms of ASB are ‘Rowdy or Inconsiderate Behaviour’, ‘Rowdy and Nuisance Neighbours’, and ‘Noise’ incidents. Between 2012-13 and 2013-14, most ASB types saw a decrease, with ‘Rowdy and Inconsiderate Behaviour’ incidents falling by 34% and ‘Noise’ incidents falling by 33%.
Parking in Hammersmith is difficult and can be expensive. Hammersmith also experiences some severe traffic congestion due to its position as a commuter hub. The rate of car ownership in this area is about 1 car for every two households, and there is good access to the A4.
There are many entertainment options available in Hammersmith, from live music at the Hammersmith Apollo and theatre at the Lyric theatre, as well as many pubs that offer live music and comedy nights. Riverfront pubs like the Blue Anchor and The Dove – a historic pub – are also popular, especially during the Oxbridge boat race. With excellent bus links into central London, it is easy to find your way back home after a night out in Camden or Soho, putting all of London’s best nightlife within easy reach.
With a significant population of young single professionals, Hammersmith is less a family area than neighbouring Chiswick - confirmed by the smaller percentage of residents who are aged 0-15. Still, its excellent schools and fairly good access to green space make Hammersmith a good choice for young families.
Hammersmith has less green space than neighbouring Chiswick, but access to the riverfront, Ravenscourt Park, and nearby Bishop’s Park make owning a dog possible in this area. Hammersmith is also home to dog-training schools and groups, providing an opportunity to socialise with other dogs and their owners.
Hammersmith station is in travel zone 2, and can be reached by the Piccadilly line, the District line, the Hammersmith & City line at Hammersmith and the District Line at Ravenscourt Park. Nearby Shepherd’s Bush is on the Central line. Hammersmith has numerous bus links, making it accessible from Central London at all hours. The Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham reports that the Hammersmith Broadway bus interchange is used by 35,000 passengers every weekday. Roads in Hammersmith are very busy, with many residents citing traffic and traffic noise as a major problem. It takes less than 20 minutes to Heathrow, Paddington and King’s Cross St Pancras from Hammersmith. Most Hammersmith residents commute to work via the Tube, on foot, or by bus.