10 best places to live in East London

New homes and buildings in Canary Wharf, East London

East London continues to attract a wide range of residents. From more central areas like Shoreditch or Canary Wharf out towards Barking and Dagenham, the easterly side of the capital offers a unique mix of industrial heritage, artistic flair and strong community spirit. We take a look at the best places to live in East London, according to resident reviews of new homes developments.

The HomeViews Transparency Rating gives extra weight to recent reviews. Developments with more reviews are also ranked higher to reflect consistency across a large number of reviews.

10 best places to live in East London

Now it’s time to take a look at our ranking of the 10 best new build developments in East London. As ever with HomeViews, our rankings are based solely on the reviews of verified residents of each new build development.

*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.

1. Dressage Court, E2

Essential Living
4.73 (143 reviews) 4.73 (143 reviews)
Area guide to Borough of Tower Hamlets
Image of Dressage Court, E2

Recently leaping to the top of the East London developments rankings, Dressage Court offers 104 rental-only one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The development also enjoys easy access to Bethnal Green’s tube and rail stations, with great views towards the City and Canary Wharf. In addition, residents can access a 24-hour on-site team along with shared spaces that are free for everyone to enjoy.

Read reviews and details of Dressage Court, E2

2. Sailmakers, E14

Greystar
4.64 (156 reviews) 4.64 (156 reviews)
Area guide to Canary Wharf
Image of Sailmakers, E14

In second place is Greystar’s Sailmakers, a Build to Rent scheme comprising 327 units. It is within the mixed-use Galliard Homes development, Harbour Central. The site is situated on the Isle of Dogs close to the River Thames, and less than a 10-minute walk from the heart of Canary Wharf. In addition, transport links come courtesy of nearby South Quay DLR and Canary Wharf’s DLR and Underground services. Residents enjoy fast and frequent connections to the likes of Bank and Monument.

Read reviews and details of Sailmakers, E14

3. Wardian London, E14

EcoWorld, Ballymore Group
4.47 (136 reviews) 4.47 (136 reviews)
Area guide to Canary Wharf
Image of Wardian London, E14

Climbing to third at the latest update, Wardian London is a unique residential development from EcoWorld and Ballymore. The development offers studio to penthouse apartments. Additionally, thhe development is close to Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line, DLR, and London City Airport. Residents have access to a cinema, a pool and a gym, as well as other facilities.

Read reviews and details of Wardian London, E14

4. East Village, E20

Get Living
4.42 (625 reviews) 4.42 (625 reviews)
Area guide to Stratford
Image of East Village, E20

East Village has steadily climbed the ranks to reach number four. This is a vibrant community offering fully-furnished studios, one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and townhouses. All of these have superfast WI-FI. In addition, parking spaces and storage pods are available for rent and free cycle storage is provided. Also, East Village is extremely well connected by the London Underground, and other train services. These can take you to King’s Cross in seven minutes.

Read reviews and details of East Village, E20

5. Portlands Place at East Village, E20

Get Living
4.35 (34 reviews) 4.35 (34 reviews)
Area guide to Stratford
Image of Portlands Place at East Village, E20

Entering our East London rankings in fifth place, Portlands Place is a mix of studios and one to four-bedroom apartments for rental. The development is the newest addition to popular East Village with unparalleled amenities, retailers and its very own 25-acre garden. Additionally, it is only 15 minutes from The City.

Read reviews and details of Portlands Place at East Village, E20

6. Oxbow, E14

Poplar HARCA, EcoWorld London
4.25 (113 reviews) 4.25 (113 reviews)
Area guide to Poplar
Image of Oxbow, E14

Sixth in our list of the best places to live in East London is Oxbow. This joint venture by EcoWorld and Poplar Harca is just seven minutes away from Canary Wharf and 15 minutes from the City. The development offers a range of studios as well as one and two-bedroom apartments in East India Dock. Canning Town Underground station is only a 11-minute walk away, providing swift connections for residents via the Jubilee line. In addition, the development is just moments away from many of East London’s attractions.

Read reviews and details of Oxbow, E14

7. Apo Barking, IG11

Apo
4.30 (89 reviews) 4.30 (89 reviews)
Area guide to Barking
Image of Apo Barking, IG11

Taking seventh position in East London, Apo Barking is a development situated on the banks of the River Roding and opposite Abbey Park. It features a range of studios, one and two-bed apartments. Residents can choose from a range of flexible leases and apartment upgrades. In addition, residents can access a range of amenities and facilities on site. This includes an exclusive on-site gym, The Barking Local, a co-working and lounge space as well as The Hub, the Apo HQ where residents can get help with any day-to-day stuff. Likewise, there is a members’ roof terrace on the seventh floor. Residents can also manage their home and membership through the Apo app.

Read reviews and details of Apo Barking, IG11

8. London City Island, E14

EcoWorld, Ballymore Group
4.20 (158 reviews) 4.20 (158 reviews)
Area guide to Poplar
Image of London City Island, E14

Eighth in East London, London City Island is a mixed-use 12-acre neighbourhood from EcoWorld and Ballymore. It includes Manhattan-style apartments, and the City Island Social Club. Both of these overlook the River Thames. As well as a wide variety of other amenities, and the English national ballet now headquarters here. Furthermore, it is close to Canning Town station. This is served by the Jubilee line and DLR services. Buses also run to and from the island.

Read reviews and details of London City Island, E14

9. New Garden Quarter, E15

Telford Homes
4.19 (77 reviews) 4.19 (77 reviews)
Area guide to Stratford
Image of New Garden Quarter, E15

Taking ninth place, New Garden Quarter by Telford Homes sits in the heart of Stratford. Just 10 minutes from Stratford station, residents benefit from a variety of amenities with Westfield around the corner. As well as this, the development has a 24-hour concierge, residents gym and landscaped gardens.

Read reviews and details of New Garden Quarter, E15

10. Riverstone Heights, E3

Way of Life
4.02 (25 reviews) 4.02 (25 reviews)
Area guide to Bow
Image of Riverstone Heights, E3

New in tenth place is Riverstone Heights located on the banks of the River Lea. Way of Life’s newest East London residence has a rooftop terrace mid-barbecue, a private lounge and dining room. The building’s first floor is dedicated to co-working; with meeting rooms, phone booths and a kitchen for residents. The inclusive rental package includes superfast WIFI and on-site resident hosts.

Read reviews and details of Riverstone Heights, E3

11. 30 Harbord Square, E14

Canary Wharf Group
4.68 (39 reviews) 4.68 (39 reviews)
Area guide to Canary Wharf
Image of 30 Harbord Square, E14

Taking second place is 30 Harbord Square, another hot favourite of the always appealing Canary Wharf. There’s a great selection of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments here, and every apartment has been designed to a high-specification while all residents benefit from waterside views of the Thames or westwards towards Canary Wharf. Discover Canary Wharf’s latest neighbourhood, Wood Wharf, and the buzzing residential community set within acres of parks, overlooking the O2 and Greenwich.

Read reviews and details of 30 Harbord Square, E14

12. Victory Plaza at East Village, E20

Get Living
4.31 (84 reviews) 4.31 (84 reviews)
Area guide to Stratford
Image of Victory Plaza at East Village, E20

It’s back to East Village again at number six. This time, Victory Plaza offers modern apartments in London at the heart of East Village with 1-4 bedroom homes, including 1.5 and 2.5 bedrooms. So you can easily strike an ideal balance between family life and home-working. Additionally, there are several amenities included, such as concierge access and parcel lockers.

Read reviews and details of Victory Plaza at East Village, E20

13. Fizzy Canning Town, E16

Fizzy Living, Greystar
4.33 (188 reviews) 4.33 (188 reviews)
Area guide to Canning Town
Image of Fizzy Canning Town, E16

In seventh it’s Fizzy Canning Town. On offer here are one, two and also, three-bedroom apartments in a multi-storey building. It actually forms part of the larger Vermillion development, which is a few minutes’ walk from Canning Town Station.

Read reviews and details of Fizzy Canning Town, E16
Street in Stratford
The East Village development by Get Living in Stratford – the highest-rated new homes in Stratford on HomeViews

Living in East London

Along with Wembley and Nine Elms, Stratford has experienced some of the capital’s most rapid redevelopment over the past decade. Property prices have soared in the East London area since the 2012 Olympics, as a new generation of renters and buyers have moved in. Average property prices in October 2023 are £527,401.

Gentrification has long since transformed easterly neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Dalston and Haggerston. In more recent years, more peripheral areas like Barking, Canning Town and Beckton have seen new developments springing up. These have brought with them the new amenities and transport facilities needed to serve these new communities.

East London areas

Tower Hamlets covers a large and diverse swathe of East London. Stretching from the lower tip of the Isle of Dogs right up to Victoria Park in the north and Whitechapel to the west, Tower Hamlets residents vary widely in both nationality and income levels.

Royal wharf e16 birds eye view
Ballymore’s Royal Wharf, E16 development in Royal Docks

To the east of Tower Hamlets lies the London Borough of Newham. This former industrial region is now a popular residential neighbourhood. Attractive new homes cluster around the Royal Docks, with London City Airport and the Excel Centre at the heart of the area’s new economic prosperity.

Moving out into the suburbs, and the borough of Barking and Dagenham offers some of London’s lowest-cost housing. In addition, numerous highly-rated new homes developments can be found here.

Further to the east, the outer London borough of Havering includes the commercial hub of Romford. Residents here enjoy excellent transport links out to Essex or westwards into Central London.

Read more

Explore all East London’s best-rated new developments in our full area guide below.

East London

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 Read more about East London

What is HomeViews?

HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.

written by

Jan Moys

A residential property expert with over 15 years’ experience creating content... Read all

A residential property expert with ov... Read all