London neighborhoods zone 2

I have ever heard of zones in London. Has anyone!?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_fare_zones

There is also a very easy map here: http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/273574/slide_273574_1957704_free.jpg

As you might guess, zone 2 rental costs tend to be lower than costs closer in. Areas in zone 2 include Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington. I know little about these neighborhoods.

Zone 2 includes some areas that are solidly upper class and others that are very much not recommended for tourists. It's hard to give area names since some areas are quite large and mixed, and there's a tendency for letting agents to state a desirable area even when the flat is very peripheral to it. I would look for places within budget and use Google Streetview to check the looks of the street.

The point about the area descriptions being somewhat fluid is quite important; I think there has been more than one person posting details of property being described as Chelsea where in reality it is in Sands End for example. There is often use of the name of the London Borough when it has a 'good' name which can cover a very large area and the connectivity can be very different locally. West London can be a good choice (parts of Walham Green, Parsons Green, Hurlingham, Putney, West Kensington or Hammersmith) but not particularly that convenient for your arrival or departure.

Islington, Camden, Kentishtown. Swiss Cottage.

Have stayed in all over the years. Have watched each gentrify.

Recently stayed in a 2 bedroom AirBnB apartment in the lovely Holland Park neighborhood. Lots of steep stairs but a gem of an apartment. Great beds, one teen could easily be comfortable on the couch, Wifi, washer/dryer combo, fully equipped kitchen, great shower. 2 blocks to Portobello road. 4-5 blocks to Holland Park tube station. It's in a residential area so very quiet at night but pubs, shops, grocers, 10-15 minutes away. PM me if you want info.

Otherwise and some folks like trying this ( others don't ) but I got a fabulous room and rate ( $ 90 ) at the Regent Park Marriott for a spacious double room about 5 years ago via Priceline. Sleek modern room, 2 beds, excellent service, 5 minutes to the Swiss Cottage tube station. Easy stroll to Lords Cricket Ground, Regents Park and the zoo.

And no matter which neighborhood I've stayed in over the years have always gone to theatre at night, then returned back to where I was staying via the tube.

Enjoy your stay.

Even within each area, there are good and not so good streets, so carefully check out Streetview and don't go for anything that doesn't have an external photo.

Areas that I would suggest are Earl's Court, Baron's Court and the District Line anywhere to (and including) Chiswick, Camden, South Hampstead, Hampstead, Highbury, Fulham, Putney, Hackney and Limehouse. None of these areas are cheap areas to buy properties in, which will be reflected in the rental prices, but they are cheaper than Zone 1.

Earls Court is a good area - a little cheaper than central London, a couple of tube lines, feels like a neighbourhood, lots of shops & restaurants. The Nadler is a nice hotel. I stayed there recently and very much enjoyed the vibe of being in a neighbourhood where people (albeit massively rich people) actually live.

But, and this is a big but: with any of these Zone 2 neighbourhoods, if you're taking the tube into central London during the morning rush hour, you WILL have your nose pressed into someone's armpit, and if you're even slightly claustrophobic or given to panic attacks you will find the tube unpleasant between about 7.45 and 9. The same heading "home" during rush hour.

The problem I found with Earls Court was that most commuters live even further out of London, so by the times the tubes trundles into Zone 2 it's already packed - and of course most people don't start getting off till you hit central London. Just a word of warning!

Oh. Thanks.

Yeah must admit I hadn't seen the dollar figure - but not sure whether it is a $200 saving or price being looked for (or indeed what this period it is for). I will stick by the advice whatever though to check connectivity very carefully as there are some bad connected areas in Zone 2 relying just on a bus service (can find these even in Zone 1).

Thank you all! I appreciate the help very much. I do understand the liberty property owners take when describing their locations--that is true in every city I've lived in. I always use streetview in google maps to get an idea of the area also. I will look at the neighborhoods mentioned.

In the meantime, has anyone stayed at the Ridgemount bed and breakfast hotel on Gower near The British Museum? It looks very modest (which is fine-we'd rather spend our money on a show than a fancy duvet), but is it clean and comfortable? Thanks again!!

I wouldn't be hesitant about using zone 2 or even 3 locations if you check google maps/street view AND transportation links and times carefully for rentals you are considering. I like Islington, Chiswick and even Richmond or east Twickenham for some neighborhoods. We've traveled home from the theater on many evenings by Tube or train in about 30 minutes and walked to our house in another 5 minutes or so. Our preteen granddaughters were not particularly morning people 2 years ago when we stayed out to the west (Ealing) so we were never in the thick of things during commuting hours.

You also might want to try HomeAway.com or vrbo.com for apartments. I've had great experiences using them and prefer them over Airbnb. Just another option for apartment rentals. Both of them have good graphics--maps indicating where the apartments are located, and fantastic search options (i.e. WIFI, smoke free, etc). Enjoy your trip. If you're thinking of a show, consider STOMP my teens loved it.

I'm with MrsEB, staying in Ealing as well during our 2 night visit in April. I've always stayed in Zone1 in the past but this time we're on the last leg of our trip and my friend and I wanted our own rooms ( too much togetherness over 2 weeks lol). We're staying at Premier Inn London Ealing for about $60 each night per person. Not bad at all! Good tip about not getting on the tube till after commuter rush hour though. We'll keep that in mind.

Check Vrbo - Homeaway. Found this property in Notting Hill, London, UK VRBO Listing #370784 and stayed there July 2015. It is in a nice quiet neighborhood with three bedrooms. clean and convenient to shopping and eating on Portobello Road and also a short walk to the tube stops, Kensington Park etc.
It is in the $200.00 price range.