Harrow Property Investment Guide

Excellent connectivity & a strong sense of community in London’s hottest urban village

Situated in the north-west of London, Harrow is an ideal location from the perspective of a property investor. It is bordered by the prosperous county of Hertfordshire to the north and is adjacent to the London Borough of Hillingdon to the west.

This diverse and vibrant London borough is the 12th largest in size, covering some 19 square miles and is situated around 14 miles from the City of London. Access to the UK Motorway network is simple, with both the M1 and M40 only a short distance away.

In addition to the region’s excellent road network, the borough is home to no less than 14 rail stations. The major international travel hub that is London Heathrow Airport is located approximately ten miles to the south of the region.  That means the UK’s busiest airport is within easy reach. With excellent travel connectivity throughout the entire area, access to the rest of the country and beyond couldn’t be any easier.

The development and expansion of the railway network in the 1900s contributed to Harrow’s growth and prosperity. As a result parts of the area are extremely affluent with a relaxed ambience.

The population of the region currently stands at a little under 240,500 and has risen over 15% over the last ten years. Statistics show that employment levels are good and that it is a predominantly prosperous and affluent residential suburban area.

House prices are lower than London average price by over 23%. The number of residences in the borough that are owner-occupied is above the national average highlighting a need for private rental accommodation in the area.

House prices in the borough have seen a 7.68% increase in the last 12 months according to property website Zoopla. The average price spent on a property is £427, 125.

Harrow is home to over 10,000 businesses. Huge importance is placed on supporting the local economy through small businesses. It’s no surprise then that Harrow’s business growth rates are among the best in north-west London. The abundance of small local businesses in the area also contributes to the great sense of community in the area.

Crossrail is expected to extend to the region and with the possibility of an additional runway at London Heathrow Airport, there are significant potential benefits for Harrow’s employment & economy. There is also the potential for high returns for property investors. That means Harrow property investment is ideal for you if you're looking for a London excellent road network.

Find out more information with a free Harrow Property Investment Guide.

Economy & Employment

Heathrow Airport is a major employer and Crossrail are also large employers in the borough.

Currently under construction is Stanmore Place to the east of the borough. This is a serene setting for a project of over seven hundred luxury apartments, many of which will have their own balconies or terraces. There will be a residents’ gymnasium, open green spaces and a 24-hour concierge service. The development is due to reach completion in July 2016.

London Heathrow Airport is within easy commuter distance.  The Airport services 80 airlines operating flights to 185 destinations in 84 countries and handles in excess of 72 million passengers a year.

Heathrow Airport supports around 76,600 jobs, directly and indirectly, the figure is as much as 116,000 in the immediate area.

2014 saw the opening of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 complex, part of £1.3 billion improvements and their Terminal 5 was voted ‘World’s Best Airport Terminal’ by the Annual World Airport Awards in the same year. Heathrow is also strong contender for an additional runway that has been proposed in the south-east of the UK.

Government figures show that over 11,000 people are currently working on Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure project, over around 40 sites, providing ample employment opportunities for the local workforce.

Find out more information with a free Harrow Property Investment Guide.

Investment

22% increases have been seen in property prices of other boroughs included on the Crossrail route.

Harrow’s new Business Improvement District (BID) will see more than £1.8m invested in the area over the next five years.  Supported by the Mayor’s Outer London Fund, which is helping increase the vibrancy and growth of high streets across London.  This money will be spent on improving the look and feel of the town centre. This is a further boost for the area, enabling more money to be invested in making it an even better and brighter place for both visitors and businesses.

If the Government goes ahead with its planned Hertfordshire extension to the Crossrail service, property prices should increase in line with other boroughs that have seen prices rise by up to 22%. The Crossrail extension would significantly reduce journey times into central London stations, and further increase Harrow’s popularity as one of London’s key commuter towns. While further announcements on the Hertfordshire extension are awaited, many of those with a flair for profiting from property is quietly investing in accommodation in the Harrow area, sensing the way that the decision is likely to go.

Transport

Air: Harrow is served by London Heathrow Airport, which provides flights to 185 destinations in 84 countries throughout the world, as well as ample road and rail connectivity.

Rail: The region is served by a total of 14 rail stations.  Plans are under discussion for the region to be included in the new Crossrail service.

Road: The district is located adjacent to both the M1 and M40 Motorways, providing excellent links with the M25 London Orbital motorway, and the rest of the country’s road network.

Bus: The region is amply served by a comprehensive network of day and night-time bus services providing transport links throughout the greater London area and beyond.

Education

Harrow has 47 primary schools, 12 secondary schools, 5 special schools and 13 independent schools in its catchment area, as well as 3 further education colleges.

The borough is widely known for its high performing schools including:

Harrow School, more commonly referred to as simply ‘Harrow’ is an independent public boarding school that caters for boys from the age of 13-18. The institution is currently rated at 62 in the country’s top schools and graded as outstanding by the latest Ofsted review.

The North London Collegiate School is an independent day school that caters for girls aged 4-18 years. Rated as outstanding by Ofsted inspectors, the school ranks at number 18 in the country.

Further Education: 900 students attend St. Dominic’s Sixth Form College and around 1,500 16-19-year-olds attend Stanmore College.

Higher Education: Harrow College has around 3,000 full-time students and 7,000 part-time students, aged from 16 upwards. They also offer higher education courses in the area; these include access, teaching qualifications and higher national diplomas (HND). The University of Westminster also has a Harrow Campus in the area.

Shops & Leisure

Shopping: The region’s main shopping centre is Harrow town itself. With two shopping centres, it is considered among the largest retail centres in London and home to all of the major high street brands. For alternative retail options the leafy suburb of Pinner, with its village ambience, has a more independent offering.

Sport & Culture: Harrow has a wealth of choice of world-class leisure facilities, with no less than seven fitness centres catering for all requirements. The Usurp Art Gallery and Studios is based in bohemian West Harrow. This contemporary artist-led gallery was set up in 2010 and assists and supports local artists throughout the borough.

Green Spaces: Pinner Memorial Park is located close to the centre of Pinner. Once part of the West House Estate, it was at one time the home of Lady Hamilton. The park provides 5.26 hectares for peaceful recreation. Attractions include a bowling green, a pond with ducks and geese and a small aviary of budgerigars. The ornamental Peace Garden provides a quiet place to sit. Stanmore’s Centenary Park with entrances from Culver Grove and Crowshott Avenue provides nearly 9.5 hectares of open space. Roxeth Recreation Ground is located off Northolt Road in South Harrow and has around 7 hectares of open space with football, bowls, tennis and cricket facilities.