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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Overpriced and low quality apartments in highly accessible and lively area of east London

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

The local area is great! You are 6 minutes walk from the train station and less than a minute to the local market area. The apartment is above the ASDA so you have direct access to a supermarket, regardless of the weather. There are several parks in the area as well as tennis courts and a skate park less than 10 minutes away.

Please review your development:

The price of the apartment has gone up too much to justify the quality of the apartment. Despite the great area, the building hasn’t been updated since it’s inception 5-6 years ago and it shows in how the building is maintained. The prices have gone up to match the market, but there are several newer developments in the area offering newer properties for the same prices, so the value of this apartment is inflated.

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

That the rent would increase exponentially and that the building would remain the same (without upgrades).

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

Reception is great and always responsive. Maintenance requests are often handled within a week.

3
Facilities
3
Design
4
Location
2
Value
2
Management
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Conveniently located, modern apartments

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

There are reasonable park facilities nearby and the building is a convenient twelve minute walk to the tube and national rail services.

Please review your development:

Property management are very helpful, quickly respond to any issues that are raised and go out of their way to create a friendly and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. The customer facing office team are great, particularly Mimi, Jamal and Iga, who deserve special mention.

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

Well specified and maintained apartments. Buildings are well insulated from external sound and noise.

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

The building management responds promptly to any issues raised.

4
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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A nice play to stay

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

There is a nice park near the apartment which is great. Transport links into London are also very good. There is quite a lot of anti-social behaviour so if you are looking for a gentile area, look elsewhere.

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The apartments are very well designed. My apartment has views of the park and lots of light. I can’t fault the building or the property management. The gym is too small for so many residents. It can get rather busy at times and the range of equipment is limited.

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

Apo Barking is nice but the area isn’t that great.

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

I have found that the building management respond quickly to any problems or issues raised. Iga, Jamal and Mimi are awesome! Always very helpful and nice.

4
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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The rooms are spacious, and the kitchen is modern and well-equipped

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

Apo Barking is situated in a vibrant neighbourhood, with a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants in a radius of 1 km. Whether you are looking for a quick grocery run or a cosy place to grab a cup of coffee, you will find it all within a few minutes’ walk. If you rely on public transportation, you will be pleased with the options available. Bus stops and Barking train station are easily accessible, making your daily commute or weekend outings a breeze. Residents can also enjoy ample parking space, with easy access to their vehicles.

Please review your development:

The apartments themselves are comfortable and well-maintained. They offer ample living space with a functional layout. The rooms are spacious, and the kitchen is modern and well-equipped. The apartment provides ample storage options, including closets and cabinets. There is a balcony in each apartment that can be a pleasant spot to relax. Bathrooms are easy to maintain and offer an inviting ambiance.

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

It is important to note that there can be some noise outside on the street due to traffic, specifically for some of the apartments facing the street. So keep that in mind if you value peace.

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

The building management team have been impressively responsive to maintenance requests and inquiries. They respect our privacy and provide advance notice when inspections or visits are required. A special thanks to Mimi, who has made the living experience much more convenient by being approachable and addressing issues promptly. She is open to discussion for any concerns or queries we might have.

5
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
4
Value
4
Management
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