London E15 - Word on the street
What is it really like to live in London E15?
FindaProperty.com presents a selection of local residents reviews and reports, detailing their own experiences of living in London E15.
Do you live in an area of London E15? Let us know your thoughts about the area using the form below.
Word On The Street: Stratford
05 July 2007
Let’s get some perspective here. Stratford is changing extremely rapidly which brings bonuses and drawbacks ...
... It is still a good investment with prices still rising rapidly. The major bonus is its fantastic transport links - which basically means you don't have to go out in Stratford.
I've lived here for twelve years, and there is still only one good safe place to pop in for a pint - The King Eddy on the High Street. There is also crime here, although markedly less than 10 years ago and probably less than its reputation deserves.
The general face of Santa Ratford is unremittingly hard and urban, and is still suffering from its 60's and 70's make over, with little useful green space other than West Ham Park. However, if you work or go out in the City it’s probably a good bet and a good investment. Just don't expect fine dining.
Richard
Word On The Street: Stratford
17 October 2006
Stratford has been properly cleaned and with the money coming in, it is the place to be in right now ...
... Forget Canary Warf hype, Stratford will have it all, fantastic place to live, work (Stratford City) and a continental feel (Euro Tunnel). The only way for property prices in Stratford is up and up.
Word On The Street: London E15
17 July 2006
Stratford has entered its urban funk period, scaling the gentrification model full speed ahead. Buy now, make a killing! ...
... The influx of social trendies and creative types is in full swing. Young City workers too, gambling with the prospect of urban green living and Olympic capital growth, all within a stone's throw of the office (a 7 minute commute to Liverpool street). Sunny Stratford just might be the new Shoreditch, only better.
Word On The Street: Stratford
14 September 2005
Stratford is a fantastic place to live...
You can get large and pleasant property here for very good prices that puts the whole of central london within 30 minutes reach. You also have two supermarkets, a swimming pool, the library and every value shop you can think of within reach.
I very much enjoyed the ease of my year in stratford, the transport being the key to making it work. I'm sure given a few years as the money pours in it is going to get even better.
Word On The Street: Stratford
09 August 2005
I use to work in Stratford shopping centre a few years back...
Back then the shopping centre was really run-down so it's good that it's getting such a big facelift.
The best thing about Stratford is the people in it as there is such a wide mix of people from all backgrounds. Now I am investing in Stratford because of the Euro Tunnel and the Olympics.
If I had the chance I would call Stratford the capital city of London!
Word On The Street: Stratford
15 July 2005
I am a young professional (sort of) who bought a flat in central Stratford a couple of years ago....
Stratford is pretty vibrant with live music/comedy on somewhere most nights of the week. In addition to the various shows at the Theatre Royal, Stratford Circus is a popular performing arts venue and has singing, dancing and acting lessons for locals seemingly permanently.
The main upside is the public transport. As well as all the underground connections, I can catch the overground 9:19 from Stratford and be behind my desk in Liverpool St for 9:30.
The new Eurostar from 2007 and the Olympics with its associated investment are sure to shoot prices up but price for price you still get an extra bedroom or a garden over west london house prices.
Word on The Street: Stratford
06 July 2005
Stratford on the map for 2012!...
What fantastic news for the area, and much regeneration needed to boot for the East End part of London. Things can only get better!!!!
Word On The Street: Stratford
26 May 2005
Stratford is fast becoming the coolest place to live in London....
...with the new European railway station almost built, planning permission granted for one of the largest shopping complexes in Europe, and a decision in July over whether Stratford will be the site of the 2012 Olympics.
22 December 2003
This is one of the best places to live in east London...
I have been living here for about 10 years, and during my time I have seen dramatic changes. The Stratford Circus is the entertainment and leisure forum for east London as there is a cinema, shopping mall, theatre, bars, clubs, art centre and everything you need to enjoy life to the fullest.
There are two recreational parks, leisure centres, excellent transport facilities (Bus, Tube, DLR, 20 minutes to City Airport and soon Eurostar).
There is a multi-cultural population with some areas with a greater sense of community than others. There are various places of worship and community centres.
The downside is the crime rate which is high and educational institutions which are of average standards (mind you, with constant funding this sector will improve). Prices are 15-20% higher than neighbouring areas such as West Ham, Plaistow and Forest Gate.
23 September 2003
Stratford is a great place...
...excellent transport and convienient for shops. It could have some more decent bars and restaurants, but this will likely improve.
28 August 2003
Great place and the transport links are fantastic...
...Greenwich in 20 minutes, Camden Town in 21 minutes, Canary Wharf in 15 minutes, Liverpool Street in 7 minutes, and by 2007 Paris in 2:30hrs and Kings Cross in 5 minutes!
Hey, and not forgetting the Stratford City development which will be completed in 2012. A new shopping centre, offices, parks, waterways etc, etc...wow!
Also, more bars and pubs have opened now and Nandos have moved in!
Marks and Spencers will also be returning.
Power to the East!
16 April 2003
I have been living in Stratford for the last nine years ...
During this time the area has gone through quite a lot of changes, old buildings have been pull down to make way to new and better ones. The bus and underground station are a work of art, and within the next few years the channel tunnel will be a reality, I am glad to have witnessed all those changes. Whot a also like about stratford is that it is a multicultural area, and I belive that we can learn a lot from one another.
16 January 2003
Lived here all my life (so far)...
The area has improved vastly over the past ten years. Only negative aspect is we do not have many specialist shops, no book shops, CD shops, etc. Lots of new luxury apartments springing up coupled with a plethora of new hotels ready for the new Stratford International Rail Station in a few years time.
16 January 2003
The forthcoming Stratford Channel Tunnel Rail link station opening...
...Jubilee Line extension, DHL and Central line via West Ham make Stratford an excellent place to leave. I'm pretty confident the only way is up for prices in this area. The town is becoming more lively, arty and things are even happening in Forest Gate/Maryland and Plaistow now. The place is great value but I have to say it's been difficult fighting to get a flat since there's not much on the market. 1-bed flats at 125,000 pounds so close to the City and with access soon to Paris in a few hours made me convinced this is the place to live!
Forget the hype around London Olympics - we don't need it in Stratford because I read the developers are spending 300 million pounds on housing just NW of Stratford station in the next 10 years with lots of jobs arriving.
22 May 2002
The streets between the High Street and West Ham Park...
...have the potential to become one of the most sought after little enclaves of East London. Stratford badly needs restaurants and bars to match its much trumpted 'up and coming status'. Gerry Raffles Square development should give the town the push it needs towards gentility.
07 February 2002
There are extremely quiet roads just off the main Romford Road - so quiet you would think you were in the country...
An extremely efficient overground service (7 minutes) between Stratford and Liverpool Street station with frequest trains and you usually get a seat. Two excellent schools with goods results (boys) St Bonaventures and (girls) The Ursaline Convent. Good housing stock which in a different postcode (say Fulham/Chelsea) would cost around £380,000 - £400,000.
Have lived in the area for 14 years and would not dream of moving until the time I need not travel in to the City for work. By then I will have a decent nest egg with which to finance a retirement home. Remember though time is everyone's enemy and you save so much time when you live 7 minutes away from work......
16 January 2002
Some great places to eat...
As well as some superb Indian restraunts (this is close to Green Street!) there are also some good quality European restraunts such as Pheonix Apollo (notorious haunt of West Ham footballers, George Michael and numerous actors), ZarZar's, Circus Bites and (the inevitable) Pizza Express. There's also the Pie Crust. Superb Thai restraunt recomended in most London food guides such as Time Out.
16 January 2002
Excellent transport links!...
Nowhere is more than 20 minutes away and just about everywhere is accessible by Jubilee Line, Silverlink (stops at Islington, Camden and Hampstead), Central Line, East Anglia rail (Norwich etc), Docklands Light Railway or... (pause for breath) the mainline service into Liverpool Street (just one stop, takes about five minutes). The new Eurostar station is being built as we speak (I can see it from my window) so remind me to add Paris to the list.
What more can I say? It sells itself.
09 January 2002
Stratford has always had a strong radical edge to it...
...(think of Elizabeth Fry and Samuel Gurney, two notable residents. Think also of the Stratford Martyrs and Ewan McColl/Joan Littlewood). Although it's slowly being recognised, I think this is no bad thing since its meant better transport, better facilities and a much better environment.
The government is pouring money into the area and good on them. I don't think this will change the make-up of the area. I don't believe Stratford will ever be 'posh' but that's what I've always loved about it. This is urban landscape that's rough around the edges and all the better for it.
09 January 2002
Stratford has always had a strong radical edge to it...
...(think of Elizabeth Fry and Samuel Gurney, two notable residents. Think also of the Stratford Martyrs and Ewan McColl/Joan Littlewood). Although it's slowly being recognised, I think this is no bad thing since its meant better transport, better facilities and a much better environment.
The government is pouring money into the area and good on them. I don't think this will change the make-up of the area. I don't believe Stratford will ever be 'posh' but that's what I've always loved about it. This is urban landscape that's rough around the edges and all the better for it.
04 January 2002
I find it a great privelege living here...
As I work in Chingford and I do not drive there is great transportation here i.e.buses & trains. There are many great sights which are not far away from where I live! I've lived in London all my life which is coming up to 18 fab years and I shall continue to live many more fab years!
02 January 2002
I lived in Stratford for 18 years, and I consider myself a young professional...
However if you are after a nice, clean cut environment with loads of trendy bars and good restaurants then you are in the wrong place and I wouldn't change that for the world. Stratford can be rough - but it's full of honest hard working people. I wish that those of you moving to the area wanting to change it would kindly find another frilly area.
06 December 2001
I've live here for 15 years, bought my property 5 years ago, I also work here and don't wish to move...
I have seen the changes and believe me it has been dramatic. Now it's up and coming I am waiting for the Channel Tunnel and the rest of developments. Well, it's only 20 minutes by train to anywhere if you want to go east, west, north or south, so I would not complain. Things take time. If you bought a property and seen its price appreciate by 330% you would not complain, you could afford to go to any restaurant, wherever.
15 November 2001
I'm a relative newcomer to Stratford but my impression is...
...a very vibrant and constantly improving place. It's a place where sophisticated arts and discount supermarkets seem to co-exist. For example, the performing arts centre (Stratford Circus) is a superb place to see contemporary dance and national touring theatre companies. It was the first purpose built arts centre in London since the Barbican. I look forward to the Theatre Royal re-opening and the Stratford Picture House shows regular art-house movies (its part of the Curzon chain).
On the downside, perhaps, is the lack of good restaurants. There is a Pizza Express (always a good indicator of an up and coming area) and some very nice independent coffee bars such as Cafe Mondo and Barista, but Stratford really (plea to developers!) needs more variety of places to eat.
Having said that, I've seen the plans for the future development of the area around Theatre Square and I have every confidence that the area will continue to improve.
10 October 2001
I work in Stratford...
I find it an accessible place to work, but it is lacking in sophistication. I agree with previous comments that Stratford is still undiscovered and with a little more investment (which the Eurostar may bring) it could be a new East London hub.
30 August 2001
I moved here about two years ago and in that time...
...I can't believe the pace of change. The new Jubilee line, refurbishment of the Theatre Royal, the new performing arts centre to name just a few. Prices have shot up massively, though I suspect that Stratford is still relatively "undiscovered". I guess the new Eurostar station will change that.
17 July 2001
The only down side to living in Stratford...
...is there is nowhere nice to drink or socialise. I have not yet visited a resturant worth returning too and most pubs and bars are filled with lager-swilling intimidating types, but given time this will change, I hope!
02 January 2001
I am currently living in E7 (Forest Gate), about 2 miles from Stratford....
Although most Londoners come to visit me and gasp 'I have never been this far East before' it is very convenient to get to and from Central London.
When the overland trains are running as they should, its a mear 12-15 minutes from Forest Gate BR station to Liverpool Street. Its great for working in the City.
10 October 2000
I consider myself a young prof who has bought in Stratford because of its house prices and excellent location...
Since moving here in June I have seen an improvement in the area, but what is still required are more upwardly mobile people and high street businesses to invest in the area. I feel the future of Stratford is strong.
