Why Barnet continues to stand out for families and property investors

For families moving from Hong Kong to the UK, choosing where to live is rarely just about the property itself. Schools, commuting times, everyday amenities and the potential to generate rental income all come into the decision.

This is one reason Barnet, in North West London, continues to attract attention. The borough combines some of the UK’s strongest state schools with excellent transport links, established amenities and a sizable rental market. For parents, that can make buying a home near the right school a practical alternative to taking on the cost of private education.

For investors, the same combination of schools, connectivity and family-friendly infrastructure can support long-term tenant demand.

One development that brings these factors together is Silkstream. Following strong interest from Hong Kong buyers in earlier phases, Berkeley is preparing to launch The Elmont, a new collection of 108 private homes.
Here’s what makes the area worth a closer look.

Barnet’s Schools Are a Major Draw

Barnet has built a strong reputation for academic performance, particularly among its selective state schools.
Queen Elizabeth’s School and The Henrietta Barnett School are both highly regarded and state-funded, giving families access to academically competitive education without the fees associated with many independent schools.
The results speak for themselves. Three leading grammar schools in the area recently received a combined 101 Oxbridge offers.

For families, living within the right catchment can therefore have a significant financial and practical benefit. For property owners, strong local schools can also help maintain demand among families looking to rent or buy in the area.

Central London is closer than it looks

Location matters just as much once children move on to university or parents need to commute into London.
Silkstream is around an 8-minute walk from Hendon station^, with Thameslink services taking approximately 19 minutes to reach London King’s Cross^.

That puts universities including UCL, LSE and Central Saint Martins within practical commuting distance.

For parents supporting children through university, this can also offer an alternative to paying for student accommodation in central London. A two-bedroom property could provide additional flexibility, whether that means accommodating a student and their sibling or renting out the second bedroom.

Everything you need, close to home

Another advantage of Silkstream is that residents aren’t starting from scratch. The surrounding area already has the infrastructure families need for everyday life.

The development itself includes a Sainsbury’s supermarket, with Habitat and Argos, as well as a Costa Coffee.
For Hong Kong families who value access to Asian food and groceries, Bang Bang Oriental is around a 10-minute drive^, while Wing Yip Oriental Supermarket is approximately seven minutes away^.

Brent Cross Shopping Centre is also around six minutes by car^, offering a wider choice of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.

It is this combination of convenience and connectivity that makes the area particularly appealing to families relocating to London.

What does the local rental market look like?

Of course, location is only part of the investment equation. Rental demand and achievable rents matter just as much.

Benham and Reeves has a high-street presence in NW9 and currently manages more than 30 properties across the earlier phases of Silkstream. This gives our local team a useful view of the tenants currently looking in the area.

The market is largely driven by professionals aged between 25 and 35, young couples and families who want modern homes with easy access to rail connections.

Current rental levels across Silkstream include:

• Manhattan apartments: £1,400–£1,650 pcm
• One-bedroom apartments: £1,800–£1,950 pcm
• One-bedroom + study: A potential premium of around £150–£250 pcm compared with standard one-bedroom homes
• Two-bedroom apartments: £2,250–£2,400 pcm
• Three-bedroom apartments: £2,900–£3,200 pcm

The one-bedroom-plus-study layouts are particularly interesting for today’s rental market. With hybrid working now firmly established for many professionals, an additional room that can function as a home office can make a noticeable difference to a property’s appeal.

Larger two- and three-bedroom homes, meanwhile, are well suited to families relocating to London, as well as parents considering a buy-to-study approach.

Buying overseas doesn’t have to mean managing from afar

For overseas buyers, the investment doesn’t end when the purchase completes. Finding tenants, arranging maintenance, handling utilities and keeping an eye on an empty property can quickly become a challenge from overseas.

This is where having an established local property management team can make a difference.

Benham and Reeves’ NW9 branch provides landlords with support across the rental lifecycle, from tenant sourcing and property inspections to rent reviews and ongoing management. With access to our wider London branch network, overseas owners can have their property managed locally without needing to be in the UK for every decision.

Discover The Elmont before its launch

With The Elmont offering just 108 private residences, Hong Kong buyers will have the opportunity to explore the development ahead of its wider launch at our exclusive VIP Showcase in Central.

21–22 November, Saturday & Sunday

Central, Hong Kong

Venue details available upon RSVP

The event will bring together Benham and Reeves property consultants, UK mortgage specialists and UK-qualified solicitors, giving prospective buyers the opportunity to discuss the purchase process, financing and legal considerations in one-to-one consultations.

If you’re considering a home in North West London for your family, or looking for a property that can work as both a home and a long-term investment, this is an opportunity to get an early look at The Elmont, including its pre-launch pricing and floor plans.

Disclaimer: To buy or not to buy non-local off-plan properties? Assess the risks before you buy! 境外樓花買唔買？計過風險先好買！ *Prices and details are correct at the time of going to press. Expected rental yield per annum, not guaranteed. ^Travel times are an approximation only, sourced from Transport for London and Google Maps, and may reference driving, public transport, cycling and/or walking times. Planning permission no.: 19/4661/FUL granted by Barnet Council. Lease Term: 999. Purchasers are acquiring an interest in the land, the building to be erected thereon and/ or a right to use and occupy the properties in the building. Estimated Completion Date: From Q1 2028. Computer-generated images for illustrative purposes only. Purchasing uncompleted properties situated outside Hong Kong is complicated and contains risk. You should review all relevant information and documents carefully before making a purchase decision. If in doubt, please seek independent professional advice before making a purchase decision. The non-licensed staff engage in estate agency work exclusively in relation to properties outside Hong Kong and they are not licensed to deal with any property situated in Hong Kong. Property reference number: BRHK-UK240612. Last update: 24 Oct 2026. Benham & Reeves (Hong Kong) Limited License No. C-092169.