Bow

Bow embodies that fierce East End community spirit, while also being in close proximity to central London; so it’s a top choice for renting or buying if you want somewhere with lots of character that’s easily accessible. Read on to discover the developments that are rated as the best places to live in Bow and to see reviews from residents who own or rent in Bow.

4.46
Average Location Score

Excellent

54%

Very Good

35%

Average

9%

Disappointing

2%

Very Poor

1%

Best places to live in Bow

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

Bow apartments next to river

Where is Bow?

Bow sits within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, less than five miles from Charring Cross. It’s flanked by East London heavyweights Hackney and Stratford and, while there’s lots on offer in Bow itself, you’ve also got plenty to enjoy in the surrounding districts.

What’s it like living in Bow?

Bow, although a symbol of gentrification, it has not yet lost its authenticity. New apartment blocks pop up monthly, they sit alongside establishments passed down through generations, and pickled herrings, pie and mash and decent pints are easy to come by.

Roman Road is the best place to soak it all up, it feature a mile-long high street packed with independents. There are plenty of cool brunch spots, time-honoured greasy spoons and curious boutiques. This is also the setting for Bow’s weekly markets – chaotic, hypnotic spectacles that attract crowds from far and wide.

Mile End Park, Victoria Park and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park allow walking, cycling and picnicking to be well and truly taken care of. We’d also recommend a weekend stroll along the Grand Union Canal. If it’s nightlife you’re seeking, be mindful that Bow’s has a limited handful of quality pubs, but you’re just a hop from the bright lights of Shoreditch and Bethnal Green.

Bow transport

Commuting to and from Bow is a breeze, and a big part of the attraction for newcomers. Bow Road and Bromley-by-Bow stations provide quick links to central London via the Hammersmith & City and District lines, and close-by Mile End is additionally serviced by the Central line. Alternatively, catch the DLR from Bow Church or Devons Road for direct access to Canary Wharf. There’s a reliable bus network in place here, too.

Bow apartments

Buying and renting in Bow

Bow is in heart of the capital’s so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ – a hotbed for developers. Cue a generous supply of new-build properties, some overlooking the water, others edgy warehouse conversions in the centre of town.

Those seeking a waterfront postcode should look at Bow River Village and Omega Works, both of which have a front-row seat on the River Lea and are rated some of the best places to live in Bow.

Good value for London and a really good location for commuting.” – Oscar, verified resident at Bow River Village

What makes this development stand out in particular is it’s close proximity to essential facilities and amenities whilst still occupying a very calm atmosphere.” – Heather McMullen, private tenant at Omega Works

The apartment is great – it’s the reason I decided to live here. its spacious, attractive and well designed and good quality. There have been some problems with the heating, but the building management resolved the issues very swiftly.” – Anonymous, verified resident at Bow River Village

Merchants Walk is a popular choice for its location. Edged by greenery, it’s right next door to Devons Road DLR station, so it’s ideal for those commuting into the City or Canary Wharf.

“The upsides of living in this particular area would be how nice the design and implementation of it is. The surroundings of the development are beautiful with lots of green spaces to enjoy. There is a great community atmosphere here and the neighbours tend to be very friendly and welcoming. Furthermore, the area itself feels very safe due to the concierge around.” – Gemma Critchley, verified resident at Merchants Walk

Marner Point

Other top places to live in bow…

Countryside’s St Paul’s Square is another great option for commuters. This huge development is a short walk from Mile End and Bow Road stations, but also brags a peaceful setting…

It’s a vintage place and good if you are looking for somewhere quiet with also a great view.” – Anon, verified resident at St Paul’s Square

Developer titan Barratt London brings you Marner Point and Ivy Point, where top facilities include a rooftop terrace and residents-only gym.

Amazing location with less than 1 minute walk to the tube station and buses right outside the door… Great community and very friendly people on the development!” – Michael, verified resident at Marner Point

Berkeley Homes’ Caspian Wharf has a huge selection of properties, ranging from studios to penthouses. The same can be said of St Andrews, a sprawling complex of more than 960 homes, spanning apartments and townhouses. Another one to consider is Aqua Vista, where contemporary apartments range from one to five-bedroom in size.

Quiet area, local amenities, clean spec, good community. Good events, great concierge.” – Tiago, private tenant at Caspian Wharf

Families, meanwhile, are praising Bow Cross, an ultra-modern development with some welcome additions…

It’s good value for money. There’s a basketball court and play areas for kids and training facilities like the ones in parks. There’s a lot of security, so it’s much safer than the rest of the area. The rooms are nice and spacious.” – Sohail, verified resident at Bow Cross

You can find out more about living in Bow by reading reviews from residents. Click on the developments below to find out more about residents’ experiences and discover great places to rent in Bow. If there’s a Bow property that you can’t see on HomeViews,  you can add a new listing and leave your review here

Reviews in Bow

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Best Building I have ever lived in

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Feb 2024

Really convenient! 2 min to tube and 5mins walk to Tesco superstore. The living area is quiet and peaceful.

Please review your development:

The best Property management team i have ever met. Quick to solve any problem and always nice and kind. The building is well designed and the facilities is great. Newly opened coworking space is a great plus for someone working at home. Design is very modern.

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

Great co-working space which is great for someone working at home

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

Quick, responsive and friendly. All issues raised are solved timely.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Great location, great flat, average service

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Jan 2024

There are tonnes of bars and places to grab food, and living on the canal is lovely. More local shops have opened up recently which is great – we have 2 corner shops, some wine shops and delis, and anything else like pharmacies are a short walk in Stratford or Bow. Looking forward to more opening as time goes on.

Please review your development:

Great location and well built flats with good thermal efficiency, ventilation, and a decent finish. The property management are pretty average – they fix urgent stuff like lifts and hot water quickly (usually within 24 hours) and other stuff is slower.

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

It’s been a bit slow for commercial units to get filled but it’s finally happening.

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

We’ve had a few snags sorted out pretty well – they fixed some drainage on the balcony and a minor issue with the toilets.

What is the best feature of your home:

Balcony overlooking the canal, good sized rooms, a ventilation system that’s helped to ease my asthma.

3
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
3
Management
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Manager Response

Thank you so much for your review – we are so pleased you like the design and location of your new home.

Mixed Bag: Connectivity Wins, Facilities Disappoint

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Dec 2023

We are reasonably well connected with District and Hammersmith & City lines a 10 minute walk away and a DLR station a little closer; within a couple of stops these connect to many more lines. The street is fine, it is not particularly noisy even though it is a relatively busy road on one side, however, on-street parking is a nightmare and by living in this building we agreed to not apply for an on-street parking permit either.

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The development looks great, it is a modern design more interesting than lots of other new-build properties in the area. The facilities here are average-to-poor. It feels like everybody thinks every query/problem is a personal attack/criticism of their own ability rather than a reflection of the processes they have to follow. It seems than one has to persuade people to do the bare minimum that their job entails. Property management try to distance themselves from issues and rinse themselves of responsibility, as if they are perfect and all problems must be stemming from residents.

The organisation of the concierge parcel collection system is non-existant, I would love to know the number of parcels that are lost by them each year.

Property management do not at all appear to strive to help residents, leaving us to guess and figure things out ourselves.

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

It would have been great to have a clearer explanation about who owns which facilities or parts of utilities in the property, and who has responsibility over each part.

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

They first seem to assume the problem is caused by the resident and so approach the situation with a non-helpful attitude.

2
Facilities
4
Design
4
Location
3
Value
2
Management
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Building management seems good

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Nov 2023

Nice coffee shop opposite and a Tesco close by which is convenient. A chemist, vet and post office are also near too. Parking can be difficult and noise from the road is loud

Please review your development:

Building management seems good, I’m a new tenant but seems better organised that elsewhere I’ve lived. Issues seem to be rectified quickly, such as a faulty lift etc. the hallways are clean and well maintained. You can also get regular emails with updates

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

The price of buying a parking space! Also we can hear our neighbour’s baby crying in the night, so the walls are quite thin

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

I have a current query open and they were quick to arrange someone to come around to look. The issue is still active so cannot comment fully yet

4
Facilities
3
Design
3
Location
3
Value
4
Management
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