i'm living in ealing while i'm working down at my firm's uxbridge office. it's at the end of the central line straight into the centre and isn't far from hammersmith, shep bush and pretty much everywhere central. rent is fairly high, but the houses are generally nice and the area's safe. it's a huge culture shock moving down from newcastle, though. be warned, it's a hell of a lot quicker way of life and a lot more expensive.