Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Situated on the eastern edge of the city, Barking and Dagenham is one of the most populous boroughs in all of London. With plenty to offer in terms of amenities and attractions, as well as great transport links into central London, Barking and Dagenham is a perfect place to call home. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Barking and Dagenham so special.

3.91
Average Location Score

Excellent

35%

Very Good

32%

Average

20%

Disappointing

9%

Very Poor

4%

Best places to live in Borough of Barking and Dagenham

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

Where is Barking and Dagenham?

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is located in the East of London, neighbouring Havering and Redbridge to the north, Newham to the south-west and Tower Hamlets to the south. The borough’s eponymous town centre lies around twenty miles from Charing Cross, whilst Barking Abbey can be found just four miles from Canary Wharf – easily accessible by way of the A13 or overground train services.

Areas in Barking and Dagenham

Barking & Dagenham has changed dramatically since its inception as a metropolitan borough back in 1965. With new developments springing up all across this vibrant part of east London, there are plenty of great areas for prospective home buyers to explore here including:

Alibon Estates – This modern neighbourhood is located in the northwest of Barking & Dagenham and offers a great range of family homes, from starter properties to spacious four-bedroom houses.

Becontree – One of the largest council estates in Europe, Becontree was built during the 1920s and 30s to provide much-needed social housing for Londoners. Today, this vibrant community offers plenty of affordable property options as well as some top schools and excellent transport links into central London.

Chapel End – A popular choice for young professionals and families, Chapel End is situated close to Barking town centre and benefits from good local amenities as well as easy access to Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services.

Goodmayes – A well-established suburb with a wide variety of housing options, Goodmayes is ideal for those who want to be close to central London but enjoy the benefits of living in a quieter area.

Faircross – Faircross is a largely residential area close to Barking town centre and offers a selection of Victorian terraced homes and flats.

Becontree – Becontree offers families the chance to live in spacious period properties with gardens, while still being within easy reach of central London via bus links.

Universities in Barking and Dagenham

There are several universities and colleges in Barking and Dagenham offering a range of higher education programmes.

The universities in the borough include:

Barking & Dagenham College – This further education college offers courses including business, media and graphic design, IT, computing, hospitality management, catering, and professional cookery.

University of East London – The University of East London (UEL) is a modern university that has campuses in Barking and Dagenham, as well as Stratford.

Barking College – Located on the edge of Barking, this college offers vocational courses to around 2000 students every year.

Top Schools in Barking and Dagenham

The borough is home to a number of schools that achieved good or outstanding Ofsted ratings in 2013. These include:

Little Ilford School – This primary school in Manor Park has been rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted and has a reputation for being highly inclusive.

Eastbury Comprehensive School – This secondary school in East London has been rated as “good” by Ofsted and has a reputation for academic excellence, especially in the fields of science and humanities.

Barking Abbey School – This mixed comprehensive school achieves excellent results at both GCSE and A-Level.

Dagenham Heathway School – This secondary school in Dagenham was also rated as “good” by Ofsted in 2013.

Eastbrook School – This mixed secondary school has also been rated as “good” by Ofsted, and it achieved its highest ever GCSE results in 2014.

Population of Barking and Dagenham

The population of Barking and Dagenham is just over 176,000 people, making it the eighth most populous borough in London.

Reviews in Borough of Barking and Dagenham

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The building is a lovely modern design development

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

There’s a nice park near the development. It’s in a great location as its close to public transports. There is also a local shop in the development.

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The building is a lovely modern design development and looks to be well maintained by the team. The apartment is finished to a high standard with natural lights coming in. There’s a balcony with a view that overlooks the park, the river and the city. It also comes with a gym and co-working space.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

All relevant information were given to me beforehand

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I recently moved into Apo Barking development but the management team have being welcoming and helped make my move in on the day easier. Abbey was helpful, friendly and engaging.

4
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Modern Living at Apo Barking

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Feb 2024

Living in my local area has its ups and downs. On the positive side, we have a decent range of local shops, restaurants, and bars, catering to various tastes and preferences. The quality varies, but there are some gems among them. Open spaces are plentiful, offering opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation.

Transport links are generally convenient, with buses and trains easily accessible. However, there can be occasional issues with delays or overcrowding during peak times, which can be frustrating.

Living on my street is generally pleasant. Parking availability can be tight, especially during evenings or weekends, but it’s manageable. Bin collections are regular and reliable. However, there have been some instances of minor anti-social behavior in the area, which can be concerning but Apo management has it’s private security over night and evening and we feel safe. Overall, it’s a decent place to live.

Please review your development:

My development offers a modern and stylish living experience. The design is contemporary, with sleek architecture and well-planned layouts that maximize space and natural light. The facilities provided are top-notch, including a gym, swimming pool, communal gardens, and a concierge service, enhancing residents’ convenience and quality of life.

Building management is generally efficient, with regular maintenance and upkeep ensuring that common areas are well-maintained and clean. Property management is also commendable, with responsive staff addressing any concerns or issues promptly. However, there have been occasional hiccups with communication regarding maintenance schedules or changes in management personnel, which could be improved for a smoother experience for residents.

In terms of security management, my development takes the safety of its residents seriously. There are robust security measures in place, including CCTV surveillance, secure entry systems, and regular patrols by security personnel. This provides residents with peace of mind and contributes to a sense of safety within the community.

Overall, my experience living in this development has been positive, with its excellent design, amenities, and management making it a desirable place to call home. The focus on security management adds another layer of assurance to the overall living experience in my development, further enhancing its appeal as a secure and comfortable place to reside.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is the noise level from neighboring units. While the viewing may not always reveal the full extent of noise transfer between walls or floors, it’s something that can significantly impact your daily life. It’s worth asking current residents about their experience with noise levels to get a better understanding of what to expect. Additionally, checking for soundproofing measures in the unit during the viewing can help assess potential noise issues beforehand.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management has been quite responsive to any problems or issues I’ve raised. Whenever I’ve reported a maintenance issue or raised a concern, they’ve promptly addressed it, either by sending maintenance staff to fix the problem or by providing updates on the resolution process. Their communication has been clear and courteous, and they’ve always followed up to ensure that the issue has been resolved satisfactorily. Overall, I’ve been impressed with their responsiveness and commitment to addressing residents’ concerns in a timely manner especially Ms Mimi and Mr. Jamal always happy and available to help every resident of Apo Barking.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Quality apartments in bustling area of east

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

The local area is great for kids. Lots going on. Many new building being built though so it’s becoming more gentrified.

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Apartment is spacious, one-bedroom (and two-bed that I’ve seen). Reception is kind and always helpful. Bit on the older side compared to newer developments in the area. Quality for value is mid level, would be nice to see some improvements around. Some updates needed around the building though definitely.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I’d known that this area (Barking) would start to become gentrified because I like how it was before.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Sometimes they are good and other times they don’t respond.

2
Facilities
4
Design
3
Location
1
Value
1
Management
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Good apartment but quality isn’t what it used to be

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

Not much noise on the street but some form the market outside (depending on what floor you live on). Great transport links to anywhere in London or Essex.

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Overall it’s been a nice place to live and the reception staff is really nice. I think it’s not priced that competitively especially because there are so many newer buildings around. But the quality is better than central London. The design of the flat is pretty boring white and the furniture that comes with the flat is okay.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I knew more about the surrounding area and that it was going to be developed very rapidly.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Reception is great at handling requests. Never had an issue they couldn’t fix.

2
Facilities
3
Design
5
Location
4
Value
2
Management
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