Barking

London’s largest regeneration scheme, Barking is something of a work-in-progress. For instance, project milestones include a brand-new town centre completed in 2007, as well as an ongoing riverside neighbourhood that’ll be packed with restaurants and shops when complete. But where are the best places to live in Barking? Discover the top rated developments to buy or rent in Barking in our area guide.

 

3.83
Average Location Score

Excellent

36%

Very Good

28%

Average

22%

Disappointing

10%

Very Poor

5%

Best places to live in Barking

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

New Flats in Barking

Barking’s location

Barking is a suburb in East London. Ilford is to the north, the River Thames to the south, Dagenham to the east and Wall End to the west. The postcode for Barking is IG11.

Travelling to and from Barking

Barking Station is in Zone 4, with tubes on the District and Hammersmith & City lines. Likewise there are also London Overground and National Rail services.

Developments

The plans for Barking are ambitious to say the least, with BeFirst now dedicated to the regenerations. There are 50,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs in the pipeline in the coming years. The biggest of the scheme’s many projects, Barking Riverside, is a huge, purpose-built suburb that stretches down to the banks of the Thames in place of an old power station. Building began on the site in the mid-90s and continues today. Bellway Homes’ City East at Barking Riverside is one of many developments here, offering studios, apartments and houses with a waterfront view.

“The house is very spacious and modern. A very good quality. The facilities are great. The neighbourhood is very nice and safe. There’s parking around. There are some restaurants around 5min walk. Dedicated management is helpful if there are any issues.” – John, verified resident at City East at Barking Riverside

Additionally, Weavers Quarter has more than 400 modern apartments in a central location. The development is a joint project from L&Q and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

The summer has been loud with kids which I don’t mind (it reminds me of my own youth) but the windows are triple glazed so noise can blocked out. All the flats come with outdoor space, either a private balcony or terrace. It’s big enough for table chairs and a small cheeky bbq…The Landlord looks after the building well; if there are any issues with the flat it is usually resolved within a few days.” – Chi, verified resident at Weavers Quarter

News Flats next to water

Where are the best places to live in Barking?

HomeViews reviewers have rated their top developments in Barking. One of the best places to live in Barking is the handily located Abbeville Apartments, a Grainger property near Barking Station with an onsite Asda supermarket.

“I enjoy living here, my apartment is very spacious, clean and large.” – Alice, verified resident at Abbeville Apartments

Furthermore, a brand-new town centre was introduced in the last decade. Its collection of neon-hued buildings include the award-winning apartments of Barking Central. Another highly rated development in Barking, this development is a project by Galliard Homes and RedrowHomes. It includes a library and a gallery, and The Broadway Theatre, whose packed events programme spans comedy acts, theatre and Latin dance classes. At the centre of it all is Barking Square.

“Both the area outside the apartment block and inside the building are clean and well maintained. The quality of the apartment is also good. There is great broadband connectivity for both lined based broadband and fibre optic.” – Anonymous, verified resident at Barking Central

The Rivermill Lofts is a chic development from Weston Homes, nestled on the banks of River Roding. Close by is the Discover Apartments, a colourful development with its own canoe club.

“The apartment is nice, spacious modern and well built. Good quality materials were used in the apartment. Great floor design with a lot of natural light flooding through.” – Anonymous, verified resident at Rivermill Lofts

“I’ve been living here for about six months now and I really like it. I love that is a quiet location however it’s close to the station and shopping centre.” – JJ, verified resident at Discover Apartments

New brick flats

Things to do in Barking

Barking Park is a massive space with tennis courts, a skate park and a lake to hire pedal boats. It’s also home to The Big Friendly Coffee, which stocks delicious cakes and pastries.

Get to know the locals at Barking Street Market, which spills over three town centre roads. Find the market open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

In addition, Abbey Green is a parkland area showcasing the ancient ruins of Barking Abbey and a 12th-century church called St Margaret’s. It’s the setting for open-air events like the annual classical music concert.

Want to find out more? Read reviews from residents by clicking on the developments below.

Reviews in Barking

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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.

Please review your development:

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.

Please review your development:

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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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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