East London

Perhaps the capital’s biggest oxymoron, East London is a place where traditional meets contemporary and all walks of life collide. And there lies its draw, as many of its millions of occupants will attest to. Read on to discover developments that are the best places to live in East London. In addition, read reviews from residents who own or rent in East London.

4.38
Average Location Score

Excellent

55%

Very Good

31%

Average

11%

Disappointing

2%

Very Poor

1%

Best places to live in East London

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

Market stall East London

East London regeneration

On the one hand, this portion of the capital has seen lots of renovation and innovation. In the past decade, East London has been heavily invested in – from Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and its neighbouring new-build residential developments, to Hackney’s cutting-edge arts and music scene. And the highly anticipated arrival of Crossrail will revolutionise the area further.

On the other hand, East London seeps history; characterised by its 19th-century docks, Victorian townhouses and tales of Jack the Ripper. Whitechapel walking tours that chart the stories of yesteryear and take in age-old pubs come highly recommended.

Skate park

Tower Hamlets’ creative hubs

The Tower Hamlets borough is home to sought-after neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Hoxton and Bethnal Green. Where traditional boozers and pie and mash shops share space with exhibitions and galleries. These districts are a favourite for creative professionals; who frequent the artisan coffee shops by day and the live music venues by night. To the north of these so-called ‘hipster hotspots’ you’ll find Mile End. Which offers the same East End spirit with a side-order of canalside walks and a family-friendly park.

Tower Hamlets is arguably the best borough in the capital for shopping; there’s everything from vintage clothes stores to treasure-trove antique dens. As for markets, you’re spoilt for choice, thanks to big-hitters like Old Spitalfields, Brick Lane and the Columbia Road Flower Market.

Canary Wharf

London’s most famous skyline, Canary Wharf’s residential developments are quadrupling, and the area is no longer just a Monday to Friday destination. Here, five supersize malls and a myriad of Thames-facing restaurants and bars sit alongside the high-spec high rises. And transport links here are among the finest in East London. The Jubilee line and the DLR offer fast and reliable connections for commuters, plus Thames Clipper riverbus services are an option if you’d rather get to work along the water. Canary Wharf isn’t just a hive for city slickers these days, though. A handful of good schools and some surprising green swathes have captured the attention of families, as well.

View of East London

East London’s pockets of calm

Head out to the likes of Havering, Newham and Barking & Dagenham, and there’s sweeping parkland and wide, leafy streets lined with grandiose houses. It results in a less urban feel than most other East London postcodes, but these are no wallflowers – the club and cocktail scenes in places like Chingford and Plaistow rival the traditionally trendier playgrounds. In E17’s Walthamstow, residents are treated to a charming village centre and a sprinkling of gastropubs in the shadow of sprawling Epping Forest.

Diverse, vibrant and with its finger well and truly on the pulse, the East End is the Selfridges of London’s geography, in that it truly offers something for everyone. Art lover? Foodie? Fitness fanatic? Come right in, because you’ll be welcomed with open arms…

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

Reviews in East London

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Great amenities, great staff and great interiors

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Sep 2023

Canary Wharf is not only buzzing with things to see and do, but it’s also very safe. With plenty of restaurant and bars, cinemas, art trails and festivals along with Go-boats and open-swimming if the middle dock, there is plenty to keep you entertained. However the Elizabeth line, jubilee line and the DLR are just a moments walk away which means you can stay connected to the rest of london with ease too.

Please review your development:

Wardian lives up to its original aspirations of being a biophillic, nature-inspired place to live. The amenities are some of the best in Canary Wharf and apartments are designed to high standard. The staff, (whether that be those behind the post desk, the cleaner, handyman or resort directors) are all very friendly and helpful, in particular Maria at the front desk who always makes you smile.

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

There is an app which helped make Wardian living even easier. So you can book meeting rooms, cinema slots etc with the app

What is the best feature of your home:

We love our chevron tiled bathroom with the large bath. Also our large open space balcony gives us a sense of having a garden in the sky

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
User submitted image of  Wardian London, E14
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Comfortable, modern property in a convenient location.

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Sep 2023

Convenient access to shops and gyms. Excellent transport links into central London.
A negative is the lack of bus routes available.

Please review your development:

Building management provide effective and good support. They’re communicative and quick to respond to any concerns – really so much better than my previous experience of dealing with landlords/ other estate agents. The design of the development is definitely improving as more buildings are completed.

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

I would say definitely take the time to explore more than just central London from this property – Greenwich is so close and gorgeous if you want to access more green space.

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

We haven’t had any major issues with our flat, but the building management have communicated general safety checks and repairs to the building well.

4
Facilities
3
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Great place to live with excellent staff!

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Sep 2023

– The bad is the dirty trash room as some residents are really disgusting and they leave everything on the floor. There should be CCTVs here so the specific residents can get fined/called upon.
– The parties at the Novotel are also quite loud and disruptive.
– The Aspenway construction makes our windows incredibly dirty. Windows should be cleaned more often and there should be an offer to clean the windows of the terrace considering this is out of the residents’ control.
– Still issues with residents throwing their cigarette butts to other people’s terraces.

On another note the staff is excellent! Whether it is at the concierge desk: Maria, Hassan, Hristina or Albena it is always a pleasure to deal with them. Also the Post Room staff: Hugo, Maria and Dean are excellent!

Please review your development:

Facilities are top notch! The design is great and the atmosphere is very upscale. I like that there is always fresh flowers and smiley and helpful staff that give the place a warm and cozy feeling.
It would be great if the sales gallery was somewhere else and that space could be used for the actual residents

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

I wish I would have known how disruptive the aspenway construction is.

What is the best feature of your home:

Great location and safe, which is our overall priority.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Ideal home in London

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Sep 2023

8 water street is ideal, there are a variety of shops and restaurants within a 30 second walk. Quiet.

Please review your development:

The building is designed with community at its core, with multiple communal areas and places to work from home, there is not one thing that has been forgotten from a TV room, to a garden to a rooftop terrace, a dining room and more! Lovely place to b

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

The utilities provider is not the best, they overcharge and it’s difficult to get them on the phone

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

Very helpful and issues are resolved within 48 hours

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
4
Value
5
Management
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