Area guide

Richmond

Riverside town, Richmond Park, London's safest borough

Price per sqft

$1,050-$1,400 (£800-1,050, relo estimate)

Population

~195,000 Richmond upon Thames borough | ~8.9M Greater London

Crime scale

Very low for United Kingdom

58.6 offences per 1,000, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, 2025

Overview

Richmond is a riverside town in south-west London with Richmond Park, Kew Gardens and the lowest crime rate of any London borough. It suits families who want space, green land and strong schools within reach of Heathrow. The trade is a longer journey into central London.

Compare areas

Structured fit signals used in matching, same fields across every area.

School fit
5/5
The German School London, the Swedish School, King's House, St Paul's (Barnes, nearby) and Hampton School.
Tax position
2/5
Income tax up to 45%; the four-year foreign income and gains regime replaced non-dom status in 2025; SDLT surcharges on purchase.
Commute
4/5
District line and South Western Railway to Waterloo in about 20 minutes; Heathrow 20 to 25 minutes.
Family network density
5/5
Professional families, with large American, German and Scandinavian communities.
Inventory in price band
3/5
Georgian and Victorian freehold houses with gardens; riverside flood checks and Heathrow flight paths are part of diligence.

Best for

· Families wanting green space and low crime
· International families using the German and Swedish schools
· Frequent flyers wanting Heathrow close

Key neighborhoods

· Richmond Hill, views over the Thames
· Kew, near the Gardens and the station
· Ham and Petersham, quieter riverside streets

Commute and access

District line and South Western Railway to Waterloo in about 20 minutes; Heathrow 20 to 25 minutes.

Housing profile

Georgian and Victorian freehold houses with gardens; riverside flood checks and Heathrow flight paths are part of diligence.

Key tradeoffs

· Heathrow flight path over parts of the area
· Longer trip into central London
· Fewer international schools than Kensington

Demographics

Professional families, with large American, German and Scandinavian communities.

Schools overview

The German School London, the Swedish School, King's House, St Paul's (Barnes, nearby) and Hampton School. Strong state primaries.

Restaurants & bars

Where we would take you in your first month in Richmond. A handful of places locals return to, picked by relo for a family dinner, a celebration or meeting new neighbours, so you can skip the trial and error and feel at home sooner.

Petersham Nurseries Café
Restaurant · Petersham
Seasonal Italian cooking in a greenhouse at the back of the nursery.
The Dysart Petersham
Restaurant · Petersham
Michelin-starred dining in an Arts and Crafts former pub opposite Richmond Park.
The Petersham
Restaurant · Richmond Hill
Hotel dining room on Richmond Hill looking over Petersham Meadows and the Thames.
Bacco
Restaurant · Richmond town centre
Family-run Italian opposite the station, with pasta made in house.
The White Cross
Bar · Richmond riverside
Listed riverside pub by Richmond Bridge, known for flooding at high tide.