From squabbling over the school run to finding your child’s homework an impossible task, every family is unique and beautifully different in its own right, each with its own needs and demands. However, we can all agree that deciding where to live and raise a family is one of life’s most important decisions, and can help with the previously-mentioned needs connected to family life.
Whether it’s the proximity to your office, the nearest schools, how safe you feel, your health and your social time – or a combination of all the latter, London is home to some of the most glorious places to settle down and raise a family in the UK.
This brand-new study by MakingMovesLondon has ranked the best boroughs in the capital to live and work if you’ve started/are starting a family. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Barnet bags the top spot for families in London
What makes a borough family-friendly? Well, MakingMovesLondon have considered everything from the average monthly rent, yearly sunshine hours, air quality, access to green spaces, the cost of living and more.
Climbing from second place in 2025 to the top spot this year, Barnet has come out on top of the list, boasting some enticing accolades to boot. Barnet has the lowest crime rates in London, and is a haven for educationwith the highest number of primary and secondary schools in the capital.
It also boasts the largest number of indoor and soft play areas for little ones, as well as the highest number of libraries (on par with Hillingdon), because when it comes to deciding where to live, what’s the point in all the work without a little play?
The City of Westminster has come second, surprisingly having the second cheapest yearly council tax rate across the capital. Following Westminster, Croydon comes in at number three, known for being one of the cheapest boroughs in London, with excellent transportation links and fab things to do with the kids.
London’s best family-friendly boroughs:
- Barnet (Family-friendly score of 6.8)
- City of Westminster (Family-friendly score of 6.0)
- Croydon (Family-friendly score of 5.9)
- Bromley (Family-friendly score of 5.8)
- Southwark (Family-friendly score of 5.7)
- Merton (Family-friendly score of 5.5)
- Hillingdon (Family-friendly score of 5.4)
- Havering (Family-friendly score of 5.4)
- Hackney (Family-friendly score of 5.4)
- Enfield (Family-friendly score of 5.4)
The other family-friendly cities across the UK
We can all attest to the fact that London is on the pricier side, which is why MakingMovesLondon have also rounded up the best family-friendly cities across the entire UK – it’s only right to keep London separate from the rest of the UK after all.
Coming out on top is Birmingham, which is often referred to as ‘Europe’s youngest city’. It boasts the most Michelin-starred restaurants outside of London, and Birmingham City Council charges the cheapest yearly council tax across England.
The other cities that make up the top five are as follows: Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, and Leeds. For more information on this study, click here to visit the MakingMovesLondon website.
