Is your local high street full of vape shops and discount stores? Or do you have a local butcher, an organic deli, smart restaurants and clothes boutiques?There are many indicators of how desirable your neighbourhood is, and the presence of a Waitrose or boutique cinema chain, art gallery and upmarket independent retailers – plus Teslas, Range Rovers and Mercedes parked on the roads – can affect the price of your home much more than you may realise.But there are also many subtle signs that indicate an area is up and coming – and therefore worth targeting if you are looking for a property that is likely to buck the current trends and increase in value. ‘I live in Penge in south-east London, and the gentrification marker for me was the increased presence of the Ocado delivery van, and better Deliveroo options,’ says long-term resident Sue Smith.’There was a time when Ocado wouldn’t deliver, and neither would the good Deliveroo options.’With gentrification increasing, house prices in Penge have grown by around 8 per cent to 14 per cent over the last five years, depending on proximity to good transport links.The influx of exclusivity indicators such as plant-based cafes, independent coffee roasters, boutique fitness studios, artisan bakeries, street art and cycling hubs in the area are definitely a strong factor in the rise.’The right retail mix isn’t just about convenience, it sets the tone for a neighbourhood,’ says Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank. Penge in south-east London, where house prices have increased by around 8 per cent to 14 per cent over the past five years The influx of exclusivity indicators such as plant-based cafes, independent coffee roasters, artisan bakeries and street art in the area are definitely a strong factor for the rise Penge is renowned for its extensive street art Independent book shops are also a clear sign that an area is up and coming’Home buyers are often choosing a way of life and the right blend of shops and facilities can create a virtuous circle of value, both for the character of the area and house prices.’It’s no surprise that large central London landowners are so selective about their retail tenants.’Tottenham, in north London, is another up-and-coming area that has seen prices shoot up due to the gentrification effect.’We have seen homeowners realise over 10 per cent growth in the last five years, with one house on one of the best roads gaining 25 per cent in value from 2020-2024,’ says Jake Strubel of Winkworth’s Tottenham and Harringay offices.He believes people often look for the wrong signs when they’re trying to work out whether an area is on the up.’It isn’t whether there’s a Waitrose or a Gail’s, they’re usually the last things to arrive. By the time they’ve opened, the area has often already changed,’ he says.’The first things I notice are independent coffee shops replacing betting shops, builders’ vans parked outside Victorian houses, skips on every street, people investing in extensions rather than quick flips and young families deciding to stay instead of moving further out.’That’s exactly what’s happened across Tottenham.’Good transport links also increase the desirability of a neighbourhood, with a boost to house prices following.For example, Tottenham has direct links into central London and beyond via underground, Overground, Stansted Express and direct City links. Tottenham in north London is another up-and-coming area that has seen high prices shoot up due to the gentrification effect Clifton in Bristol… the upmarket neighbourhood here feels distinct from the city centre, yet is just minutes awayIn the South West, another area full of upmarket indicators including excellent transport links is Clifton, in Bristol. The upmarket neighbourhood here feels distinct from the city centre, yet is just minutes away from Bristol’s commercial districts, Temple Meads station and major employment hubs.’Clifton’s lifestyle is a major draw’, says Tom West, associate director of residential sales at Savills Clifton.’Clifton Village has retained its independent character, with a thriving mix of cafés, delicatessens, restaurants, galleries and specialist retailers.’Unlike many high streets dominated by national chains, it still has a genuine neighbourhood feel where people know local business owners and spend time socialising.’Green space is another defining feature. Residents have immediate access to the Downs, providing hundreds of acres for walking, cycling and family recreation. ‘Combined with nearby attractions such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge, the area offers an exceptional balance between city living and access to nature.’A neighbourhood’s educational offerings also play a big part in determining its ‘poshness’. Highly regarded state, grammar and independent schools raise the area’s status, as does a top university, attracting academics, professionals and international buyers. Indeed, buyers will pay thousands to be in the right catchment area.Marlow in Buckinghamshire, for example, boasts some outstanding educational institutions, including grammar schools such as Sir William Borlase’s.Set on the banks of the Thames, the attractive Georgian market town has many of the indicators of a ‘posh’ area, with plenty of independent shops and premium fashion boutiques, and restaurants such as The Ivy, the Compleat Angler and Tom Kerridge’s The Hand and Flowers – the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars.Last year, Knight Frank’s Research team analysed 150 high streets around the UK, and Marlow came in at number three.The study measured factors such as the mix of shops, the presence of well-regarded brands, and indicators of resilience including low vacancy rates and business rates above the national average. Marlow in Buckinghamshire has many of the indicators of a posh area, such as independent shops and restaurants such as The Ivy, the Compleat Angler and The Hand and FlowersThe housing stock of an area also plays a significant part in creating an upmarket neighbourhood.Not just the presence of elegant Georgian crescents and Victorian villas, but simply streets containing restored houses, loft conversions, landscaped gardens and other indications that residents are investing in the long term is a big indicator that confidence in an area is growing.However, not everyone is thrilled with an area going posh.Last year, upmarket bakery and coffee shop chain Gail’s opened in up-and-coming commuter town Macclesfield in Cheshire and divided locals, with some welcoming the high-quality pastries, sourdough and speciality coffee offerings while others weren’t thrilled by the high prices and change in character to the locality.Macclesfield offers a highly attractive mix of affordability, proximity to the Peak District and excellent transport links, with direct train links to Manchester in under 25 minutes and London in an hour and 45 minutes.Over the last five years, house prices have increased by approximately 27 per cent, with some areas seeing a rise of as much as 37 per cent.It’s another indication that buyers consider much more than simply the property itself.Tom West at Savills explains: ‘Buyers are investing in far more than bricks and mortar – they’re buying into a neighbourhood with a strong sense of identity, community and long-term appeal.’And when they sense that neighbourhood is going up in the world, that desire to buy can become irresistible. How to tell if your neighbourhood is posh or poor… Street art rather than graffitiGail’s rather than GreggsPicturehouse rather than a multiplexPizza Express rather than Pizza HutAntique markets rather than flea markets and car boot salesBookshops rather than bookmakersStreet furniture rather than furniture abandoned on the streetChocolatiers rather than American candy shopsAncestral estates rather than industrial estates nearbyFarrow and Ball rather than Homebase and Screwfix