End of the line: The best places to live in London outside the city centre

You may have fallen asleep on the Tube, only to wake at the end stop, seemingly miles from anywhere. Despite first impressions, there are some decent places to live outside of the city centre. And, what’s more, it could save you a bomb in rent, too.

Hammersmith, west London

What: At the end of the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines is this thriving area, which locals have loving nicknamed Hammertown.

You’ll find plenty of Antipodeans here – as well as more than a handful of decent pubs, including The Distillers on Fulham Palace Road.

Head to Hammersmith Broadway to find Tesco, Accessorise, WH Smith and a Disney Store. The high street in the area is King’s Road, home to Primark, TK Maxx, Argos and Marks & Spencer.

There’s also a Sainsbury’s here, and a Tesco superstore is about 10 minutes walk on the way to Shepherd’s Bush.

Rail: Hammersmith & City, Circle, District, Piccadilly; Zone 2

Rent: Average flatshare about £400pcm

Clapham, south west London

What: If you like your nightlife fast and furious, this is the place to be. Found at the end of the Overground line, and dubbed cosmopolitan Clapham, it’s got trendy bars and restaurants galore (spent a night at The Loft in the high street for warehouse chic).

Again, it’s another spot popular with Aussies, as they drift away from overpriced Earl’s Court. Ed Hulme, at Winkworth estate agent, Clapham, says it’s great for active types, adding: “The sprawling common provides the outdoorsy aspect.”

Rail: Clapham Junction, North, Common and South; Zone 2

Rent: Average flatshare is £650pcm

Walthamstow, east London

What: At the top of the Victoria line, this town may seem like it’s out in the sticks, but it has great transport links to central London.

Named by spareroom.co.uk as London’s best place to rent this year, it’s becoming increasingly trendy, and boasts Europe’s longest outdoor street market.

Choose to live near the town centre to be in the thick of it – with trendy bars such as Eat 17, which serves ethically sourced British food and ales.

Or, set up home close to the marshes and Lea Valley for countryside and activities.

Huseyin Sem, of Kings Group estate agent, in Hoe Street, says the Warner flat, unique to Walthamstow, offers the best value for money.

“They are one, two or three-bedroom maisonettes, a majority of which can be found in the Lloyd Park area and around Blackhorse Lane,” he explains.

More expensive, and smaller, are the Victorian Terraces, found in the Village area.

Rail: Walthamstow Central overground, Victoria line; Zone 3

Rent: Average flatshare £400pcm