Anonymous wrote:Londoner here. To be honest, there are so many neighbourhoods in London like this - the distinct neighbourhoods are what makes London very different to most US cities. Shoreditch-Hoxton-Islington is one, a totally different one would be Hampstead-Primrose Hill-Camden (I'm linking them like this because they're close and you should try to experience all those different parts), Notting Hill-Westbourne Grove-Kensington.. I'll try to think of more but all of these (all easily accessible by tube) are good places to start

How many US cities have you been to? Most major US cities have very distinct neighborhoods, including:

NYC
Chicago
SF
LA
DC

etc. ...

Londoner here. To be honest, there are so many neighbourhoods in London like this - the distinct neighbourhoods are what makes London very different to most US cities. Shoreditch-Hoxton-Islington is one, a totally different one would be Hampstead-Primrose Hill-Camden (I'm linking them like this because they're close and you should try to experience all those different parts), Notting Hill-Westbourne Grove-Kensington.. I'll try to think of more but all of these (all easily accessible by tube) are good places to start

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You think the west village isn’t touristy? Seriously?

Not OP, but having lived there for several years, I wouldn't say it is touristy at all. I lived in the heart of the West Village, W4th and Bank St.

Agreed.

- Someone who lived in NYC (including on 5th ave and 9th street, so just on the edge of the West Village) for years. Mom was born and raised in NYC and parents have lived there for a very long time.

PS: I also agree with the person who said Shoreditch. I think it used to be more expensive to get out there by Tube, but a few years ago they moved the station? Anyway, I'm pretty sure it's in Zone 1.

PP again, also south of the river, near Borough market!

Clerkenwell and the areas near the Barbican are my absolute favorites but shopping is not necessarily there (depending on what kind of shopping you're talking about). Angel/Highbury&Islington have more shopping as well as restaurants and access to canals. Camden has gems too. Noting Hill is actually more residential but close to the Shepherds Bush Westfield mall if you want the "high street" shops.

Bah, now I miss London.

In what decade? I live here now and there are always hordes of tourists reliving their satc days with stupid tours. There may be a few tiny corners that are less crowded but mostly it’s a tourist trap full of overly precious and expensive restaurants and shops they mostly ignore.

Anonymous wrote:You think the west village isn’t touristy? Seriously?

Not OP, but having lived there for several years, I wouldn't say it is touristy at all. I lived in the heart of the West Village, W4th and Bank St.

You think the west village isn’t touristy? Seriously?

Shoreditch is very cool. There is a church there that has a crypt underneath it that has a lot of Shakespeare connections.

In London the subway is called the Tube, not the Metro. Metro is the name some cities call their subways, it is not a synonym for subway. It is like, Allison is a name for a woman, but it is not a word that means woman.

Is Covent Gardens too touristy?

I liked where we stayed a couple of blocks from the British Museum. It was quiet, walkable to a lot, and near a couple tube stations as well as bus routes. We stayed at the Grange Beauchamp. It was nice for the price point and our room was huge even by American standards. There are lots of hotels in that block/area, but they are mostly small/boutique type hotels.

Anonymous wrote:DH and I are going to London and would like to stay in an area that’s metro accessible and walkable to lots of places, and is most similar to 14th street in dc or the west village in NYC. Meaning, lots of shopping and great food, but not the most touristy spot. Any ideas?

Shoreditch is what you are looking for. Although not the most accessible by Tube.

Brixton is also somewhat similar, especially in terms of food.

Maybe Notting Hill? Camden Town has f you are willing to be slightly further from the center of town.

DH and I are going to London and would like to stay in an area that’s metro accessible and walkable to lots of places, and is most similar to 14th street in dc or the west village in NYC. Meaning, lots of shopping and great food, but not the most touristy spot. Any ideas?