Smug locals living in the ‘London Banana’ have claimed to hold the best postcodes in the city – boasting of celebrity neighbours, trendy cafes on their doorstep and roads safe enough to walk their designer dogs.
Debate was sparked online about the best places to live in London after scholar Saul Saka went viral with his ‘banana’ of the most superior postcodes.
He took to social media last week to post a map of the city with a hand drawn fruit shape on top, writing: ‘This is the London Banana. As long as you stay within the Banana, you’ll have a great time in London.
‘Almost everything outside the Banana is horrible these days, best avoid. Not clear why, or when this happened. But it is what it is.’
Mr Saka claims Kingston, Richmond, Merton, Wandsworth, Kensington, the City of London, Westminster, Camden, Wimbledon, Barnet and Islington are the nicest places to own or rent a home.
The post caused furious uproar online as proud Londoners defended their local area, while banana dwellers smugly forwarded the map to friends and colleagues.
Now, many residents of the ‘best’ areas have cited stylish eateries, posh shops and the likelihood of bumping into A-list stars among the perks – while neglecting to mention crime rates and eye-watering property prices.
In Wimbledon, locals said they are not surprised by the news, boasting of regular celebrity sightings in the district.
Daniella Wilson, 56, who volunteers at a charity shop in Wimbledon, claimed there are famous people on her doorstep.
‘It is a great neighbourhood. It has everything. It has all the best places to eat and drink,’ she said. ‘There is so much green space, and it makes people more relaxed. There are quite a lot of famous people who live here. Michael Caine lives nearby.’
Holland Park (pictured) boasts some of the most stunning houses in London
Kyle Van Der Watt, 35, who is originally from Germany, said he loves how safe he feels when walking his pug
Saul Sadka took to social media last week to post a map of the city with a hand drawn banana shape on top
Wimbledon Village (pictured) has beautiful homes worth millions of pounds
Carmel Macmillan, 80, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said her favourite part is the posh coffee shops.
‘It is absolutely fabulous here. I love Wimbledon Common, and it has great coffee shops and restaurants,’ she said.
‘The people are so friendly here. I meet lots of different people in the coffee shops.
‘It is also so central to everywhere. It is lovely living here, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. If you say that you live in Wimbledon then people think it’s great.’
Rita, 77, who has lived in Wimbledon for more than 20 years, said she loves going out for dinner at the trendy eateries nearby.
‘It’s lovely living here. The village is busy, and you can have a coffee or meal out,’ she said.
‘It is very village-y. I really like it. There is always a lot going on here.
‘I think most of the people who live here have lived here for a very long time. There is no reason to leave.’
Wimbledon Village boast trendy restaurants, cafes and shops for locals to enjoy
Holland Park has tree-lined streets featuring stunning period properties worth millions
Sue Kacey, 77, who has lived in Primrose Hill for over 50 years, said she has never found anywhere nicer
In Wimbledon Village, locals said they are not surprised by the news, saying there are regular celebrity sightings
Rob Haine, 69, has lived in his home in Belsize Park for around 25 years and said it is the best place to live if you have a dog due to the ‘leafy’ surroundings
Daniella Wilson, 56, who volunteers at a charity shop in Wimbledon, claimed there are famous people on her doorstep
People took to social media to share their thoughts on the ‘London banana’, with some calling it ‘nonsense’
Over in Kensington, near famous celebrity hotspot Holland Park, locals said their leafy borough is the best place to live in the world.
Sharon Lecik, 74, who is originally from New York, said she feels a million times safer in her current home than she did in the US.
‘I love it here. It is my favourite place in the world. The people are so great,’ she said.
‘It is very rich in culture. The parks really make this an extraordinary place. I feel very safe. Where I live there are guards. As a woman living alone I still feel safe.
‘People who were born here don’t appreciate how extraordinary it is. If something happens to me here, then I know people would step in and help.’
Jerome, 40, said the area feels much safer than other parts outside of the banana – such as Brixton and Croydon. – adding he feels ‘inspired’ by the expensive houses.
‘In Kensington everyone you see is part of the Kensington way of life. Nobody interacts with you unless you are walking your dog,’ he said.
‘It is weird living with £30m houses, but it is nice to inspire yourself.
Holland Park has tree-lined streets featuring stunning period properties worth millions
Ronnie Gomes, 47, who works in a corner shop in Primrose Hill, said: ‘Some parts of Camden are nice, you get a lot of tourists coming in’
Wimbledon Village boasts trendy shops and cafes and is considered a very nice part of London
Primrose Hill features luxury cafes, stalls and restaurants for locals and tourists to enjoy
Daniella Wilson, 56, who volunteers at a charity shop in Wimbledon, claimed there are famous people on her doorstep
Primrose Hill was included in the viral post of best places to live
Carmel Macmillan, 80, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said her favourite part is the posh coffee shops
In Wimbledon, locals said they are not surprised by the news, saying there are regular celebrity sightings in the district
‘The lower-class side here still live a good life. You can walk up and down and feel safe. Dodgy things rarely happen in Kensington.
‘It is a very nice area. I wouldn’t move anywhere else. You don’t get lovely people like this in Brixton or Croydon.’
Sara Walker, 57, who has lived in Kensington for 35 years, said: ‘It is a lovely area. You have got lots of parks close by. I don’t ever feel scared living here. It is great, if you can afford it.
‘It is very multicultural, and everyone gets along. The schools are good too for when my kids needed them. I think it is the best part of London. I can’t think of anywhere that I like more.’
Her friend Claire Palmer, 57, added: ‘It is a lovely place to live. This borough has a lot of parks. There is so much green space.
‘It is the best borough, but it is also the most expensive.
‘There are so many cafes now. It seems there are more places to eat and get coffee than anything else.’
Wimbledon Village, where locals love their postcode and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else
Primrose Hill boasts amazing views of the city for locals and tourists to enjoy
Kyle Van Der Watt, 35, who is originally from Germany, said he loves how safe he feels when walking his pug.
He said: ‘I personally like the atmosphere here because it feels more European. It doesn’t feel like London.
‘The people are nice and always approachable. In Notting Hill it is more international. I feel like I belong here. The food here is great, there are a lot of options.
‘The prices are a bit high. You are definitely paying for the location.
‘I feel safer here that my dog won’t get kidnapped. In a lot of other places there are snatchers, but here you don’t get that vibe.’
Mr Saka’s banana post caused furious conversation online as famously proud Londoners defended their local area, while banana dwellers smugly sent the map to friends, family and colleagues.
The fruit already has its own set of memes and has even been blamed for coffee price increases.
In Camden, locals said there is a huge amount of green space and a lovely range of cafes and restaurants.
An area of water and stunning wildlife at Holland Park in the city of London
Some did point out that Camden Town is not as worthy of its position within the banana as other parts of the borough – such as Primrose Hill (pictured) and Belsize Park
However, some did point out that Camden Town is not as worthy of its position within the banana as other parts of the borough – such as Primrose Hill and Belsize Park.
Rob Haine, 69, has lived in his home in Belsize Park for around 25 years and said it is the best place to live if you have a dog due to the ‘leafy’ surroundings.
‘Camden is a very big place. There are very different makeups of people depending on where you go,’ he said.
‘I love it. I think there is a great community. It is the best place for parks. We come up to Primrose Hill for walks which is perfect. I have the most spoilt dog in the world.
‘I think this is very safe for Britain. People outside of the banana are probably still happy even if its not the same as living here. It depends on what you like.
‘Camden Town is one of the very few places in London that is never gentrified.
‘It has lots of great pubs and cinemas. There is tonnes to do. It is a really nice leafy place.’
Kyle Van Der Watt, 35, who is originally from Germany, said he loves how safe he feels when walking his pug
Sue Kacey, 77, who has lived in Primrose Hill for over 50 years, said she has never found anywhere nicer.
The mother-of-four said: ‘It is a wonderful place. I love the community. I have seen changes since I moved in, but all for the best.
‘If you go up and down the street you see so many cafes. I am grateful to live here. It is a lovely area.
‘I feel so safe here. I just left my shopping outside while I went into a shop, and I can do that without worrying.
‘I have looked at moving a few times, but I have never found anywhere as nice as here. I have four kids but only one can afford to live here.’
However, not everyone in the banana believed it was all it is cracked up to be, with some mentioning the crime rates and distant locals.
Ronnie Gomes, 47, who works in a corner shop in Primrose Hill said: ‘Some parts of Camden are nice, you get a lot of tourists coming in.
‘Living here is very expensive. The house prices and rent are extortionate.
‘We do get a lot of stealing and shoplifting here though. I think the wealth attracts crime.
Ronnie Gomes, 47, who works in a corner shop in Primrose Hill said: ‘Some parts of Camden are nice, you get a lot of tourists coming in
Wimbledon Common is considered a good place to relax and go for walks
‘I don’t believe that Camden is one of the nicest places in London.’
Sophia, 65, said: ‘I always go to yoga classes in Camden. It is a very varied area.
‘It has some nice parts, but Primrose Hill is not really the feeling of Camden. Many parts of the borough do not feel safe. There are people who snatch phones.
‘There are lots of homeless people in the area, but people are nice to the homeless people, which I appreciate.’
Andrew, 79, from Kensington said that he has found the people to be quite cold and unwelcoming.
He said: ‘Most of the homeowners are so rich that they don’t actually live here, so there is no real social life. I live in a flat and I only know three or four people in the block.
‘It is not a very chummy place. It is a bit boring in the high street. I think Notting Hill is much more exciting.’
Claire Palmer, also from Kensington, added: ‘There is still quite a lot of crime here. There have been a few stabbings.
‘People come in from other areas to commit crimes here.’
