Londoners are used to making compromises when it comes to space — whether that means squeezing into flatshares, sacrificing gardens, or paying a premium for an extra room.
But not all boroughs demand the same trade-offs, with one particular standout offering far more breathing room for your money.
Using ONS and Zoopla data on earnings, property sizes and sold prices, Furniture retailer Furl scored each borough (exclusive the City of London) from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating residents pay more for less space.
According to its Living Space Premium Index, Enfield comes out firmly on top as the place where buyers get the most bang for their buck.
With an overall space premium index score of just 0.6, it was ranked way ahead of Bromley and Havering, which ranked second and third and scored 25.4 and 25.5 respectively.
Not only was Enfield found to have the most spacious homes on average, the North London region also won out with the lowest cost per square foot, while typical local incomes were found to stretch further than anywhere else in the capital in terms of property.
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Things to do in Enfield
Outside of homes themselves, space is in abundance in Enfield. The borough is home to vast stretches of greenery, including Trent Park and Forty Hall Estate, where locals can swap city noise for woodland walks, lakes and nature galore.
In Enfield Town, you’ll find a lively high street packed with shops, cafés and pubs, while nearby neighbourhoods such as Winchmore Hill and Palmers Green are popular for their independent restaurants and relaxed atmosphere.
For families, there’s plenty to keep busy, from soft play centres and sports clubs to open parkland ideal for weekend picnics. And if you’re after something a bit different, the borough also lays claim to the Royal Small Arms Factory, an historic site tied to Britain’s industrial past.
Enfield transport links
Sitting in Zone 5, around 10 miles north of Central London, Enfield is easily accessible for commuters — many of whom travel into work by rail.
Stations such as Enfield Town railway station, Enfield Chase railway station and Southbury railway station provide regular services into Liverpool Street and Moorgate — with journey times ranging from 30 minutes to an hour each way.
While Enfield isn’t particularly well-connected via the Tube network, it does have four stations on the Piccadilly line dotted around the borough — Cockfosters, Southgate, Oakwood, and Arnos Grove — that can get you into the heart of the city within about 45 minutes. And it’s on the London Overground.
Drivers are well served too, with the A10 running through the borough and the M25 just to the north, making it a practical choice for those travelling beyond the capital.
Property prices in Enfield
According to Rightmove, the average house price in Enfield for sale in the last year sat at £544,171, making it £100,000 cheaper than London as a whole (£654,937) and £200,000 less than the average North London property (£75,1192).
Better still for first-time buyers, flats come in at just over £330,000 on average, while various new build developments with shared ownership schemes allow people to get on the ladder for less.
As with any borough, prices will vary depending on where you choose, but there are certainly bargains to be had.
What locals are saying about Enfield
On a Reddit thread about the pros and cons of living in Enfield, one resident echoed the research, describing the area as offering ‘a lot for your money’, and noting that they were ‘happier than expected’ after moving to the area.
Another on r/london described it as ‘the sweet spot between suburban and urban density’, with the mix of ‘old school British culture’ alongside Mediterranean and Balkan diasporas giving the borough ‘an uplifting vibe’ in the summer especially.
Commenters also called it ‘vibrant’, said they ‘love it’, and highlighted Enfield’s ‘green space and good transport links.’
That said, some opinions are mixed. Some residents pointed out that transport links aren’t as strong as in certain areas, while others said it can be ‘rough’ in some neighbourhoods, recommending buyers stick to the likes of Enfield Chase, Enfield Town, Cockfosters, Oakwood and Clay Hill.
With ongoing regeneration and relatively lower entry prices however, Enfield is seen as a place with room to grow — both for homeowners and the area itself.
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