If you are looking for somewhere to live in London, you really are going to be spoilt for choice. However, East London is an area that certainly has a lot to offer. Often dubbed hipster paradise, you may assume that you need to listen to obscure music, frequent coffee shops, and sport a beard in order to qualify for housing here. Nevertheless, the edgy part of London has something for everyone! In terms of value, Hackney has some of the highest rising property prices in the capital and they have held strong. Proximity to The City means that many urban professionals who live here choose to cycle to work. There are fantastic cycle paths in Hackney and along Regents Canal path. With that being said, continue reading to discover a few things you might not have known about some of our favourite East London neighbourhoods.
Shoreditch
Of course, there is only one place to begin when it comes to East London, and that is Shoreditch. After all, this is the number one spot people tend to think about when they hear the word hipster. Shoreditch is a great place to live in. It is home to one of the most famous streets in London; Brick Lane. This is the centre of the Bangladeshi community, so you can expect a lot of curry houses and bagel shops. Yum! However, while Brick Lane is undeniably famous and a bit of a nightmare if you’re on a diet, there is a lot more to Shoreditch than this one street. This truly is the epi-centre of all things hipster in the UK. You can expect an incredible alternative fashion scene and quirky markets, which make the area feel effortlessly cool. If that was not enough, the streets are filled with endless art - another nod to the unique personality of the area and the fact that it really does not play to the rule books.
As mentioned, there are lots of great places to eat in Shoreditch. Somewhere that comes highly recommended is Dishoom. This is one of the most popular Indian restaurants in the whole of London. Its signature lamb raan has been a major hit. Plus, you cannot visit Shoreditch without grabbing a bagel, and Beigel Bake won’t let you down on this front. The most famous attraction in this part of London has to be Boxpark. Here you will find a great variety of up-and-coming designers showcasing their stuff in shipping containers, as well as restaurants and pop-up shops. The Electric Cinema is a good choice for a rainy afternoon, offering a licensed deli-bar and plush armchairs. If you’re in a group and can’t decide on one place to eat, then Dinerama’s your place. This street food court has 10 bars and two levels of food offerings. Is that enough choice for you? Plus, there is a DJ spinning tunes. It’s only open in the evenings though…of course.
London Fields
Next, we have another pretty amazing neighbourhood for those looking for those who like an area with lot of things to do, without being too large and overwhelming… London Fields. This is a neighbourhood that has many treasures and tricks up its sleeve. This area is probably best known for Broadway Market, a Saturday market filled with independent artisans, vendors and food stands. On Sundays, a bit farther down the road in Bethnal Green, you can walk to Columbia Road Flower Market to pick up your plants and posies.
But any day of the week, there are loads to see and do here, with a wide choice of shops, restaurants, and cafes in a close vicinity. If you are a fan of a good old pint of beer, you will have to tear yourself away from the London Fields Brewery. This is a tiny local brewery, which is hidden away, making it a little hard to find - but it is well worth the effort! There are often events going on here, too. In terms of places to eat, Buen Ayre has to be right up there! This is an Argentinian steakhouse, which will be heaven for any meat lover. Expect piles of short ribs, sausages, steaks, black puddings, and more. And, if you want some proof that London is a bit on the crazy side, all you need to do is take a trip to The Last Tuesday Society. It’ll only set you back £2 and you will see some weird and wonderful things you won’t be able to forget, from two-headed stuffed teddy bears and creepy dolls to ancient animal erotica and standing animal skeletons. Each to their own! If that’s a bit extreme for your tastes, stroll along the Regent’s Canal path to the gorgeous greenery of Victoria Park, one of London’s most visited green spaces.
Dalston
Or, what about Dalston? This is an area that has a true assortment of choices. From lively restaurants and bars to great schools; it caters to the young generation just as much as it does to families. You will struggle to keep up everything going on in this part of East London. It seems that there is something happening every week, whether it is a new top chef entering the area or a craft beer chain setting up shop. Up for fried chicken and cocktails (who isn’t?), check out Chick ‘n’ Sours. Catch a movie at the Rio Cinema, one of the few remaining independent cinemas in London.
If work hard, play harder is your life’s motto, Dalston is probably your dream London location. It’s a mixture of everything; the old and the new! It’s fast-paced, it’s fun, and it has so much to offer. Plus, there have been a lot of new homes that have been built in this area over the past eight years, so there are definitely some great opportunities both for investment and for getting in on the property ladder.
Hoxton
Last but definitely not least, we have Hoxton. This is considered one of the most up and coming places to live in London with loads of changes in store for this area So, what you can you expect? Well, the food game is definitely on point. From the newest and most cutting edge dishes to those encompassing rich cultural heritage; there is something to delight all taste buds. If home-made ramen noodles get you going, check out Tonkatsu East. Rosemary Branch Pub has a great burger and live music and theatre. Hoxton is also very well connected, yet it is also a haven for cyclists due to its proximity to The City.
You can keep in touch with nature as well, as there are a lot of green places to explore here. The area around Shoreditch Park is going through massive regeneration with 900 new homes being built. The Brittania Leisure Centre is being completely redeveloped, with state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Plus, you will find a lot of the artsy and creative types here and local galleries are popping up all the time
So there you have it: everything you need to know about the hottest neighbourhoods for property in East London. If you are looking to buy a property in our capital city, there are going to be so many districts and neighbourhoods for you to consider. However, you are going to struggle to find anywhere that has as much personality, vibrancy, and energy as East London does. If you like your life to be an adventure, you definitely won’t be disappointed if you choose East London for your property hunt. Plus, you can always get a great cup of coffee.
