Finding somewhere to live in London is never easy, but the aim of this guide is to provide localised information about property to buy or rent, as well as listings from leading estate agents and local area highlights.

The most populous city in Europe, London is a diverse and cosmopolitan conurbation, brimming with culture and history. As a world class business and travel hub, London's property market is notoriously expensive, particularly in the Central London and West End areas. London has the sixth largest city economy in the world and its primary industry is finance. Other industries include tourism and manufacturing.

The climate is generally milder that the rest of the UK, with summer temperatures averaging 20°C and winter temperatures averaging 7°C to 9°C. Snow is not as common as it is in other UK locations, due to the heat generated by the urban area.

Widely regarded as having one of the best public transport systems in the world, London is famous for its underground railway system, commonly referred to as 'The Tube'. The bus network is one of the biggest in the world and runs continuously, 24 hours a day. There are five major airports serving London and Heathrow Airport, located 15 miles to the west on the M4 motorway, is the busiest airport in the world for international traffic.

Central London encompasses the West End, City, East End, South Bank and the inner suburbs to the west and north of the city. Property for sale here is some of the most expensive in the world and prices continue to increase even in poorer areas of the city.

London's West End encompasses the districts of Convent Garden, Mayfair, Westminster, Soho, Chelsea, South Kensington, Paddington, Islington and Bloomsbury, among others. The districts of Kensington and Chelsea are generally where the most expensive property is situated, followed by Westminster property.

By contrast, the East End, comprising Whitechapel, Stepney and parts of Hackney, is more associated with poverty. Although one of the poorest areas in Britain, house prices in the East End are on the rise, as various areas are being regenerated and made fashionable.

The Greater London Authority is the local government body responsible for the city, including Transport for London, the London Development Agency, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the Metropolitan Police.

In 2012, London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is situated in Stratford, on the eastern side of London, with excellent new transport facilities. Many other venues will be utilised to host specific sports, including Wembley Stadium for football. This is bound to have an impact on property prices, with many people hoping to find flats to rent within easy reach of the Games.