Chelsea is a great place to live, and if you are moving to Chelsea this guide will give you an insight into local education, property, culture and more.
With 6 beautiful parks, 2 Michelin starred restaurants, no less than 5 5* rated Ofsted secondary schools, close to 5 tube stations, with a 5* primary school and an incredible 18 minutes drive from the centre of London, Chelsea really does have a lot going for it.
Positioned to the west of London on the River Thames, next to Fulham and Battersea, Chelsea began as a tiny village in the very beginning, and only really found its identity in the 1960’s when it went through a period of attracting the most weird and wonderful people of the time. These days it is extremely exclusive and only the most affluent tend to reside in the area.
Moving to Chelsea? This guide will help you get a good understanding of everything the area has to offer.
Property In Chelsea
The property in Chelsea is striking to look at and you’ll know you’re in the right area when you spot stunning terraces made from red bricks, and gorgeous garden squares. There are many popular areas of Chelsea but The Little Boltons, The Boltons and Tregunter Road are some of the most sought after.
The area defined as Chelsea is part of Central London and sits on the River Thames where the front of the area goes all the way from Chelsea Bridge to Chelsea Harbour. On the East the River Westbourne was once the defining boundary but that has been contained now to make way for Sloane Square Tube Station. Now, the East of Chelsea is defined by Sloane Street, Belgravia and Chelsea Bridge Road.
The North merges into Knightsbridge and some of Kensington and surprisingly all the way to Fulham Road still counts as Chelsea. The area closest to Knightsbridge and Sloane Square is where most people want to live. People from all over the world want to live in this area of London and property is incredibly sought after.
When you are looking to buy or rent in Chelsea you will find there is a large variety of different properties for you to choose from. Georgian houses, quaint little Victorian cottages, huge apartments and studios, homes looking over the river, even detached homes with ample outdoor space.
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When buying you should expect to pay up to £3,000 per square foot. A flat will cost nearly £1 million, and a 4 bedroom house will cost upwards of £4.5 million. When renting, a flat can cost upwards of £3,000 a month and a 4 bedroom house can cost over £12,000 a month. The rental market in Chelsea is particularly strong as investors who have bought up property look to make a return on their investment.
More unique to this area of the country, there opportunities for short or flexible rental periods. This is because landlords understand that overseas visitors or affluent visitors may well not want or need the property for an extended period of time.
The Most Desirable Postcodes & Roads Of Chelsea
Chelsea’s postcode is SW3, however SW10 which is part of West Brompton is still considered to be part of Chelsea. Certain areas are known to be more desirable or affluent, and those are usually the areas nearest to Knightsbridge or Sloane Square.
Cheyne Walk properties are popular because of the gorgeous river views. The Markham, Paultons, Wellington and Kings Road squares are all highly desirable as well. Carlyle Square has been particularly popular recently because it has a wide variety of different property types and the square is not listed, so developers and buyers get much more of a free reign over adapting current properties.
Recent Developments
There are always new developments in the pipeline in all areas of London, including Chelsea. Along with all of the current properties which are of more historic significance, you can expect to find many brand new apartment blocks designed to suit modern tastes. The largest development plans for Chelsea making headlines is the Stamford Bridge expansion which includes plans to expand the stadium up to a capacity of 60,000 seats.
Who Lives In Chelsea?
Chelsea has been home to many celebrities over the years and The Beatles, Rolling Stones and various members of royalty have lived there. Currently you can expect many overseas residents to be living in the area, along with the elite and super wealthy of London. Made In Chelsea by Channel 4 is a programme all about young adults living in Chelsea, and many of those come from families who are the super wealthy of London. For example: Jamie Lang comes from the family who owns McVities biscuits who make over £250 Million pounds a year from sales of their products in Scotland alone.
Eating Out In Chelsea
One of the major benefits of living in Chelsea is the fact there are so many incredible restaurants, cafes, pubs and eateries close by. here are just some of our favourites:
- Chelsea Garden Ivy (195 – 197 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EQ)
- Gail’s Bakery for a quick lunch is a must visit at 209 King’s Rd, London SW3 5ED
- Bluebird is perfect for outdoor eating at 350 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UU
- Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill is perfect for a fine dining evening meal (79 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4AN).
Grabbing A Drink In Chelsea
It is lovely to take a morning stroll in Chelsea and go for a really fantastic coffee. There are many choices of coffee shop to choose from, including: Nell’s, Le Pain Quotidien and Gail’s Bakery. If you are in the mood for something a little stronger, Eight over Eight or The Phene are fantastic choices. When you have moved to Chelsea, one of the first things you should do is go for a wander around and seek out different places that take your fancy for a drink or bite to eat. There’s plenty to explore in this tiny part of London alone.
Getting Around Chelsea
You can walk into London from Chelsea very easily and there are many lovely routes into different areas. If you want to grab a bus, the services based all the way along King’s Road to Sloane Square Tube station offer routes right across London.
Sloane Square Tube station is on the District and Circle lines which provide easy links to other lines or to various areas of London. South Kensington Tube station is also within easy reach and is also on the District and Circle lines. Although Chelsea doesn’t have its own tube stop, it really doesn’t affect how easy it is to get to different parts of London from Chelsea.
If you choose to have a car you may wish to speak to your estate agent or letting agent about this so that you are able to find out if you have to pay for a parking space (if any are available) or if you need to apply for a permit. When visiting to look for properties there is an NCP car park you can use in Cadogan Place and one on Pavilion Road in Knightsbridge. There is also a private car park in Sloane Avenue.
Private taxis and chauffeur companies operate in the area so if you want or need a driver there are many reputable companies available for you to use.
Chelsea Culture
Chelsea has a lot of culture for visitors and residents to enjoy. Those who love cinema and film will be in their element because there are so many independent cinemas showing independent films all the way across Chelsea. Theatre lovers are close to the Royal Court Theatre. For the most cutting edge art installations The Saatchi Gallery is well worth a morning or afternoon visit. The famous Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History museum are all within close proximity as well.
Education In Chelsea
Many of the schools in Chelsea are private schools. These schools involve a strict application process and families may need to have connections with related churches or organisations in order to get an interview. The schools in the area are ranked amongst the best in the country. If you are moving to the area because of the education on offer it is important to look into placements at the school to check eligibility. The location also makes it easy to get to other private and public schools in and around London.
Shopping In Chelsea
Shopping in Chelsea is famous across the world and has been since the 60’s. The Kings Road in particular draws many people to it because of its masses of designer stores and boutiques. Sloane Square has Peter Jones department store, and then there are also many antiques shops and independent shops offering high-end wares. There are also regular farmers markets in Chelsea, perfect for a wander to buy fresh produce.
Tips For Moving To Chelsea
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Moving to Chelsea is a wonderful idea for families, couples and young professionals. You just can’t beat the culture, the food, the shopping and the proximity to all that is great in London.
If you are thinking of moving to Chelsea, there are some ways that you can make the process easier. Here are our top tips for moving to Chelsea:
Check Out All The Costs
Check out all the costs involved in your move to Chelsea. London has its own rules when it comes to car parking charges, permits and other costs. Find out things like council tax costs, car permit charges and other costs that are unique to the area. Don’t expect to be told about extra costs by companies trying to persuade you to buy property.
Shop Around
Yes, things in Chelsea are more expensive but, that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be had. Don’t be afraid to haggle or negotiate a better price on your property.
Utilise The Space You Pay For
You will be paying thousands of pounds per square foot of your new property, so it makes sense to make the most of it. Use self storage near London to keep your out-of-season items safe and secure until you need them. London storage is there to help you keep your treasured items in a way that doesn’t clutter your expensive Chelsea home.
Visit Plenty Of Times Before You Buy
If you can, visit the area plenty of times before you buy a property. Although experts can explain everything to you and let you know which areas are desirable, only you can get a feel for the place and understand which part of the borough appeals most to you.
Your move to Chelsea is going to be amazing, especially if you help it run smoothly with plenty of visits beforehand and doing your research on the area. As with most things, the more planning and research you do beforehand, the better your moving experience will be.
Don’t be afraid to consult experts for guidance and services that make your moving experience to Chelsea easier. Remember at SToring.com we offer a storage delivery and collection service that can help you easily move to the area without any of the usual hiccups or issues that can crop up during a house move.
Just 18 minutes drive from the centre of London, with 5* Ofsted rated secondary schools and close to 5 tube stations, with a plethora of incredible restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques, moving to Chelsea is a wonderful idea for couples, families and young professionals alike.
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