East London is increasingly becoming one of the best areas to live in the capital. With vast majority of the locals priced out of West End, the urban regeneration of the area over the last few years made it very attractive for those seeking new homes.
This article is our take (based on the experience of being a family owned van hire company based near Hackney for years) on the best areas to live in East London’s hipster hotspot Hackney.
Hackney Central
Hackney Central is the central district of the borough of Hackney. It comprises the area roughly surrounding Mare Street and is bordered by Hackney Dows, Homerton and London Fields. Many well known landmarks can be found in Hackney including the celebrated Hackney Empire, Hackney Picturehouse cinema and St. Augustine’s Tower.
There is a long list of things to do in Hackney. Fashionable food-lovers will love browsing the stalls of Broadway and Chatsworth Road markets, active individuals will enjoy swimming in the open-air London Fields Lido.
Many green spaces and award-winning parks are available throughout the area with just a short walk to Victoria Park. Many of Hackney Central’s parks feature boating lakes and tennis courts available for public hire.
Dalston
Situated roughly between Islington and Hackney Central, diverse Dalston is identified as one of the major city centres in London. Dalston has benefited from regeneration over the last few years and the gentrification of the area has led to an increase in the price of the local properties.
Although there is no tube station, the area is very well connected as it is serviced by both Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction overground stations. Liverpool Street is just a speedy 11 minutes away.
Residents of this East End’s famous hotspot get to enjoy buzzing nightlife, independent restaurants, vintage shops and quirky cafes.
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington has become renowned for its lively music scene as well as its great local pubs and cafes with Church Street at the epicentre. This fantastic area offers a whole host of things that anyone staying local will surely enjoy, such as streets lined with fashionable boutiques or London’s best jazz clubs.
Stoke Newington may not be on the tube, but the good transport links within the area take you to Liverpool Street in just 15 minutes and to central London within half an hour.
The great selection of restaurants available means, that you can almost embark on a culinary world tour without leaving Stoke Newington. Along with the Turkish eateries, Stoke Newington also offers vegetarian restaurants, Spanish tapas or Asian cuisine.
The local resident (Stokeys) are very protective about the community spirit and independence of the area. And despite being situated just a few minutes from Dalston or Shoreditch, the lack of tube service keeps the tourists away and helps preserve the community atmosphere.
Stamford Hill
Stamford Hill is considered by many to be a great location to live in the borough of Hackney. Near to the stylish district Stoke Newington, the area is famous for its highest concentration of synagogues. Stamford Hill features many beautiful large homes as well as traditional Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses.
The area has excellent transport links, with its overground train service taking you to the heart of London in under half an hour. It is situated slightly over 5 miles down the line from Liverpool Street and between Stoke Newington and Seven Sisters district inside the zone 3.
The concentration of families around Stamford Hill, has led to large numbers of the best schools opening in the area. It is also home to an array of fantastic parks nearby, such as Clissold Park.
London Fields
London Fields is situated in the heart of the borough of Hackney. It is an ideal location for city dwellers that enjoy outdoor spaces without sacrificing their urban habits. Less expensive than Hoxton, and with the only heated outdoor 50m swimming pool in London, London Fields is an award winning area to live in.
Summer time is especially appreciated by its locals as they enjoy nearby located Broadway Market. It is the best place to go to experience what east London has to offer. With its fantastic range of food stalls, restaurants, shops and pubs, be sure to grab a beer and enjoy some of the best BBQs. Handmade jewellery, gifts and vintage clothing offering stalls are also available within the market.
In terms of transport, the London Fields overground service offers swift access into the City. It’s a busy commuter stop, with Liverpool Street in under 10 minutes.
Clapton
Places like Clapton become increasingly popular as the trend-seeking creatives and hipsters move further east away from Shoreditch, where they have already been priced out. And Clapton is quite on the rise these days, with loads of independent bars, pubs and restaurants, the cool kids of London did find the next best thing.
The area can be roughly divided into Lower and Upper Clapton with the train station situated somewhat in the centre. Lower Clapton offers a range of various cuisines, including Caribbean, Italian, Turkish and Asian. The area also features a wealth of coffee shops and delis. Upper Clapton is surrounded to the west by the long leafy strip of Clapton Common, famous for its recently regenerated Clapton Pond.
Good transport links include Clapton and Stamford Hill overground stations as well as a host of local bus services.
Before you move
If you are thinking about moving to Hackney, then you might consider saving some money on hiring a removals company to collect and transport your possessions and do it yourself instead. With perhaps a little help from your family and friends and also from a self-drive van hire company in Hackney, the task becomes more than feasible.
So in order to keep the stress at bay, we recommend to thoroughly plan your house move in advance. When planning your house move, make sure you start by estimating how much stuff have you got and how much space you require in terms of transport. Also note, that you should make sure the weight of the items you shall be carrying is not excessive. And finally, work out the distance you are expected to be travelling.
