Maida Vale is an affluent, pretty, mainly residential neighbourhood. Its proximity to the canals and Regent's Park, the availability of period terraces and spacious mansion flats with communal gardens, and its amenities - from good schools to nice restaurants - attracts a wide range of residents. The area is popular with everyone from City professionals and media types to families. Maida Vale is also well-connected by Tube, bus, and even by boat to the rest of London.
This is a mixed community with a peaceful, leafy feel despite its relatively central location. There are The area has staying power, and people often have to wait and rent before being able to buy a home here.
This is a very safe neighbourhood, with a significantly lower crime rate as well as a lower violence against the person rate reported in this area in 2014/2015. The Met police lists this area as well as the surrounding neighbourhoods as having average crime, with elevated crime pockets a fair distance away at Paddington and Camden Town.
Parking in this area can be difficult and relatively costly. The rate of car ownership in this area is fairly low, at about one car for every two households. There are good road links in this area, particulary to the A40. The congestion zone is nearby, but does not include this area.
There are several swanky restaurants and bars to be found, as well as some pubs, and it is a short journey to places Camden Town for everything else.
There is a slightly higher proportion of working-age adults than children and older people in this neighbourhood, as compared to the London distribution, but it is nonetheless a mixed area loved by young professionals and families alike. The mansion flats in Maida Vale tend to be spacious, and so some of the two- and three-bed flats are occupied by families - especially those with access to communal gardens. Schools are typically very good, and there are many community groups catering to children and families.
This neighbourhood is fairly pet-friendly. Some housing is unusually spacious and includes access to communal gardens. The canals and nearby Regent's Park are very nice places to walk a dog.
Maida Vale is centrally located in Zone 2. For conventional travel, there are Maida Vale and Warwick Avenue, both on the Bakerloo Line, and Westbourne Park and Royal Oak are on the Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines. Paddington is also nearby, with express trains to Heathrow. There are also buses, including nightbuses, serving the area. But for a less conventional journey, try the London Waterbus to get to Regent's Park and Camden Lock. The area has good road links, especially to the A40.