Today its leafy streets and huge Victorian homes, coupled with good transport connections to central London and some of the best bars and restaurants outside the West End, mean it’s still a welcome buffer between life in the urban jungle and rural bliss. Ealing locals have embraced the village way of life and formed a self-contained community, with their own summer festivals, galleries and theatre and arts groups. Part of the community’s strength comes from the longevity of its residents, as once house hunters have moved to Ealing they tend to stay, perhaps upsizing to a larger home outside of the town centre. It is thanks to their efforts that Ealing has retained its countryside charm and resisted developers’ proposals to construct huge industrial blocks of flats. Its skyline remains relatively uncluttered, with only a few stylish high-rise blocks of contemporary flats and apartments in the mix. The arrival of the Crossrail is likely to increase and accelerate property development, but various vocal community groups in Ealing will ensure that there's only room for responsible new builds