Advise on london areas

Have a read of this for an overview of the various areas of central London.

https://www.londontoolkit.com/accommodation/london_hotel_briefing.htm

I can’t think of anywhere in London that would be considered unsafe. Ultimately, it’s your budget that can determine where you stay.

Paddington is OK but South Kensington, the South Bank, or Bloomsbury might be better for the first-time visitor.

I spend 2-3 months a year in the Earls Court area. It's perfectly safe, easy access to almost anywhere in London, lots of shops, restaurants, markets, pubs, etc.

If you want to PM the addresses to me I can let you know if I'm familiar with the street.

FYI--in London, a "subway" is either an underground walkway or a sandwich shop.. Their motorized trains are referred to as The Underground but commonly called "The Tube"

FYI--in the U.K, a "subway" is either an underground walkway or a sandwich shop

Except in Glasgow.

Thank you for all the replies. We are looking at apartments that can acommodate 4 adults and 4 kids and our budget is below usd 380/day. We are not concerned about airport transfer, we will take a cab. Our concern is to find a nice neighborhood with easy access to main attractions, convenient for shopping and restaurants since we will spend 6 nights but also lively and nice to walk around. Thank you!

I personally like staying near Victoria. You are in a good location for walking to some of the sights, but also really close to a tube line that easily connects anywhere. There were also a few grocers around that made it easy to pick up snacks and such.

It's very handy to be near a tube station where two lines intersect. That makes it much more likely you'll be able to get most of the places you want to go with just one transfer. London has great sights scattered all over, so you will be using the Underground quite a lot unless you have the extra time usually needed to travel by bus.

If you are referring to the Bayswater neighborhood it’s fine. I stay there often.

Otherwise think of staying at the Premiere Inn at Waterloo. Look at the location via Google Maps satellite view. London Eye nearly out the front door. Easy stroll across Westminster bridge to Parliament Square and then through St James Park to the Palace. The walk along the Thames up past the Oxo Tower is nice. Keeping walking up to The Globe and to Bourough Market.

With the Oyster cards you will get easy access to the
“Sites.”

Premiere Inns are clean, safe and affordable.

If you are set on an apartment stay then as suggested by Emma look at the Southwark area. I know they have good priced rentals in and around Butlers wharf. See if the homestay web site has listings.

Lastly and you’ll need to do the math but the venerable Vancouver Studio Apartments now have larger apartments in another area of Bayswater.

Great city! You’ll enjoy yourselves.

I recommend having a look at the Southbank/Southwark area and Bloomsbury. For something a bit more lively, Covent Garden or Kings Cross.

Perfect advice.

It's commonly stated that, "London is all spread out, so it doesn't matter where you stay"-- but this is false.

We have enjoyed apartments we have rented from London Connection. Personally, I like the Westminster neighborhood a lot, and also Mayfair, but near St. Paul's is pleasant, too. Soho/Covent Garden are lively, convenient, fun, but too much activity for me versus the other options.

As a Londoner I'm afraid I have to disagree with Tom a little, London is spread out in the sense that you can't see it all without getting on public transport at some point and so ŷou can be led by your budget to areas that may seem a little less Central but that won't detract from your enjoyment of the city. That said I wouldn't recommend every neighbourhood if you do venture slightly further out. A nice neighbourhood is Greenwich. There are some great sites to see around the area like the National Maritime museum, Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, great views back towards London from Greenwich Park, Queens House, there's will be lots of Nightlife, particularly around the 02 music venue and you'll be on the Jubilee tube line, overground railway line into London Bridge or by a river terminal giving you lots of great options to explore. nearby Blackheath is upmarket for restaurants and cafes.

I can’t think of anywhere in London that would be considered unsafe.

I can think of quite a few however it's highly unlikely that the OP or any other tourist is going to venture into those areas.

I agree JC although perhaps with the rise of Air b&b perhaps these areas are now being put forward as options?

*FYI--in the U.K, a "subway" is either an underground walkway or a sandwich shop

Except in Glasgow.*

Corrrect, I should have written "In London" and I have changed it.

I'm interested where in London you think is that unsafe?
I agree some areas wouldn't be my first choice, simply because there are nicer areas, but I can't think of anywhere that "unsafe". Certainly nowhere similar to the "no go" areas that are mentioned in some US cities.

Whilst not comparable to some of the "no go" areas in the US I wouldn't be comfortable wandering some parts of Peckham or Tower Hamlets at night. In fact I'd avoid most high rise estates completely.

Emma, the gangs around Peckham, Tower Hamlets and the like are well known. As for tower block estates, having been a police officer for many years and policing such estates I know better than most just how crime ridden they are and how they attract gangs and petty criminals. Acknowledging this fact isn't the same as treating all the occupants the same. I know that such estates contain many decent, hard working, law abiding people but that shouldn't detract from other unsavoury aspect. To ignore this or to gloss over it does no-one any favours. As for community spirit, I see no difference in the spirit of neighbourhood between these estates and a quiet, middle class residential street. Some people prefer different types of 'community spirit', simply because one is more subdued or private in comparison to a more overt display of neighbourliness doesn't make it any less.

We'll agree to disagree however having grown up in a council estate I have experience of both sides and therefore do not speak from a prejudiced perspective.