But is W13 less desirable than W5?

Ealing, 'queen of the suburbs' is the focus of the Evening Standard's property section this week.

The article, 'Where Broadway meets London's Hollywood' mentions how in the 18th century Ealing became a retreat for wealthy Londoners and is now famous for nurturing film stars in the highly regarded Ealing Studios.

Ealing came across rather well, described as leafy (of course) and quite appealingly as ' a lovely family area with good schools - and Crossrail on the horizon.''

Detached Victorian houses with big gardens, good schools, plenty of transport links and the many green spaces appear to be the main selling points.

Matthew Gilbert from estate agents Hamptons says families move here because they get more for their money than in nearby Chiswick. Smaller neighbourhoods like Northfields and Pitshanger are described as popular because of their 'village' like feel.

Somewhat controversially however the Standard claims W13 is 'less desirable' than W5. Indeed Hamptons have just sold a house in this 'less desirable' area for £2.65m - the record for W13.

West Ealing, however, is an up and coming area, described as an 'undervalued pocket'.

The article refers to how Ealing town centre has struggled since the advent of Westfield,but says there are now a few 'green shoots of recovery' with the arrival of chains such as Pret A Manger and Carluccio’s, new noodle bars and upmarket fish and chip shop Kerbisher & Malt.

Charlotte’s Place, overlooking Ealing Common, and the Ealing Park Tavern on South Ealing Road are described as the two best local restaurants.

Do you agree with the Standard's version of Ealing? Discuss on the forum.

22nd November 2012