Once upon a time, Islington was considered a destination for those who could not afford to live anywhere else in London; changing perceptions and soaring prices have ensured that those days are well and truly over.

Well known for its terraces of flat fronted Georgian Houses set about garden squares, it seems surprising that Islington was so undervalued for so long. Now popular City workers and barristers (Tony and Cherie Blair were high profile residents), Islington is within energetic walking distance of Clerkenwell and the City.

As well as the obligatory quota of trendy bars and restaurants, there is the Screen on the Green cinema, a number of fringe theatres - including the Almedia and the famous Little Angel Marionette Theatre. Thus Islington stands as a quite self-sufficient village in its own right with a full compliment of "useful" shops such as hardware stores, fishmongers and grocers, augmenting boutiques and Camden Passage Antiques Market.

The only real drawback is the comparative lack of schools, which would seem to represent quite a serious business opportunity.

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