I moved from Harringay which as an area I'd say is a lot worse. For the same money I got a freehold 3 bed house with garden in E7 instead of a small leasehold flat in N4.
I ride a motorcycle into Clerkenwell everyday and it takes me around 20mins through rush-hour traffic. Public transport is also good (I'm closer to Maryland St than Forest Gate) and this takes about 8 mins to Liverpool Street, possibly less!
I've actually never been to Forest Gate as I live right by a cluster of postcode borders E15/10/7, which puts me nearer Leytonstone. However I go out in Stratford and Leytonstone a lot, and both are reasonable for a night out. They're not exactly Angel, but they're on the up, and both provide a decent selection of pubs. I've also noticed I'm going out a lot more in the West End and the City, just because it's so convenient to get back
Life in the East is friendly - I know both my neighbours and for the first time, I have a 'local'.
The roads near me are quiet and leafy. There are also large areas of greenery and the 'Flats'. I've heard there's a reasonable amount of car crime, but never seen the evidence, whilst safety on the streets has never been an issue for me or my female housemates.
Overall - can't recommend it enough. Go for an E7 or E10 as near as possible to Stratford, and you'll literally save thousands (or hundreds in rent) than you would if you lived in E15 (which in itself is reasonably cheap!!)
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