The East London neighbourhood considered one of the best by residents

Greenwich has just been named one of the best places to live in London for 2026 by lifestyle guide Muddy Stilettos, praised for its sweeping royal park, world-class culture and village-like charm.

But for the people who live there, it’s the day-to-day warmth, creativity and calm that make the neighbourhood truly stand out.

Residents say the borough’s strong community ties, family-friendly attractions and unmatched greenery are what keep them from ever wanting to leave.

According to MyLondon, Greenwich’s reputation for friendliness feels entirely earned on streets like Straightsmouth where neighbours have known each other for generations.

One of those long-time locals is Anne Keane, 89, who has lived in Greenwich since 1965 and in Straightsmouth since 1974.

The medium quoted her as saying: “I love Greenwich, it’s fantastic… Great community, lovely shops and markets, and a train station!”

Before settling here, Anne lived in Tooting Bec, a place she remembers fondly but not nearly as much as her adopted home by the river. She added: “It’s so much better than Tooting, oh yeah, much better… everybody’s very friendly here.”

Also, on Straightsmouth is Katie Farmee, 59, who raised both her sons on the street after moving in while pregnant.

She said: “It’s the first place I’ve ever lived where I’ve known most of the neighbours.”

She added that it’s a great place to raise kids and own dogs. Katie said: “It’s a lovely place if you have a dog, because you can take it for walks through Greenwich Park… And for kids too – at the observatory they even teach GCSE astronomy, so my second son did GCSE astronomy.”

Greenwich’s creative energy is part of its identity too. Made in Greenwich is a volunteer-run shop that sells the work of hundreds of local producers and makers in the borough.

Sarah Harper, who manages the shop, sees the borough’s creativity play out every day.

“There are so many talented makers within the borough, and we give them an opportunity and a platform to showcase their work… I think there’s a really kind of creative community, and that’s something that we should celebrate,” Harper told MyLondon.

For people who settled here decades ago, like Sarah McGuffick, 59, the area’s character has endured even as the skyline shifted around nearby Canary Wharf.

She said: “It’s lovely, it’s a very nice place to live… It feels safe, lots of nice houses. It’s probably become rather more affluent, but fundamentally it hasn’t really changed.”

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