Where NOT to stay in London?

I can't think of anywhere in London I would class as unsafe. Is there something in particular you're worried about?

Primrose Hill is a particularly expensive part of London, so if you're worried about your safety there, you'd be worried pretty much anywhere.

Relax - London is safe. And it's pretty central too.

Agree with Simon. Been visiting and staying in London’s various neighborhoods since 1972.

Only place I wouldn’t stay in would be Covent Garden. It’s not about safety it’s about noise,

In all honesty I’d be leery of downtown Portland before I’d ever worry about London.

Primrose Hill is nice but not a convenient location for visitors. It is a residential area, not close to shops, restaurants, or tourist sites.

If you are looking at serviced apartments, which are a good option, consider Marlin Apartments Queen Street location.

https://www.marlin.com/locations/London-City-Queen-Street

This is on a quiet side street near St. Paul’s cathedral, just off the major east-west street that connects Tower of London with Trafalgar Square. It is walkable to both, or you can take the #15 bus along that axis, or one of several Tube lines. Just south south of St. Paul’s is the Millennium Bridge for pedestrians, connecting to the South Bank area with lots of pubs and restaurants, the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, and more.

I’d pass on Paddington.

Lola makes an excellent suggestion. I have enjoyed reading their trip reports about stays in serviced apartments in London.

I don't think the area is too inconvenient. I think that lodgings in an interesting neighbourhood add another dimension to a stay in London. There's usually much to enjoy on on your doorstep if that appeals, in addition to the traditional tourist sites.

Primrose Hill is handy for Regents Park a majestic inner city park (parks are safe to enjoy in London at pretty much any time of day), Primrose Hill itself has great views. That area is very expensive; it's the kind of place you might bump into people you know from British TV or the movies at your local pub or cafe, as it's popular with that crowd.

The only downside is that you might have a short walk to the tube station, depending where exactly your apartment is. You could do a check on Google Maps to see if it's within 10 or 15 minutes walk of a station and decide what's acceptable.

My only experience of serviced apartments is from some years ago. A friend of mine had a serviced apartment on High Street Kensington while working in theatre in London. That is a convenient location, but with a little more hustle and bustle.

There really isn't such a thing as an entire neighbourhood in London that could be called unsafe compared to American cities.

I would say try to be as centrally located as possible within your price range and stay away from main roads which might be loud with street noise throughout the night. I tried to save money once by staying in Hounslow, and I did save money but that was a very long trek on the tube into central London and back every day and I didn't think it was worth it in the end.

Speaking of service apartments, I should also mention our favorite Locke at Broken Wharf. It is in the same area, but right on the river, closer to St. Paul’s and the Millennium Bridge.

https://www.lockeliving.com/en/london/locke-at-broken-wharf

These are new, modern and trendy; studio apartments, somewhat cramped in comparison to the Marlin one-bedroom apartments, but many have a view of the Thames, which is very nice. The only one that will accommodate 2 people in separate beds is the “assessable studio”, which is large enough to accommodate a fold-up single bed which they will provide upon request. It does have a Thames view.

@lola. This is an excellent point. It’s been a little difficult finding a place with 2 beds where one isn’t a pull out couch. It was easier when my kids were little but my son is 18 and. 6 ft 3!

Update- booked a 2 bedroom flat in fitzrovia-soho. Thanks for the advice