East London Property Guide
East London is a vast area covering a number of boroughs including Hackney, Barking & Dagenham, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge, Havering, Waltham Forest, Shoreditch and others.
Travelling around the area is easy because it has a large number of mainline and underground stations. The District, Central, Hammersmith & City and Victoria lines all cover the area, and Liverpool Street is the main rail station.
There is currently a lot of redevelopment work in progress, following on from the large-scale redevelopment work carried out for the Olympics. There is a high demand for properties in the area, which is a fascinating and historic area of the city that boasts many attractions.
East London Property
Most properties in East London are post-war properties because many of the older properties were destroyed in the Second World War, and many that survived were demolished in the slum clearances following the war.
As a result, there is a lot of loft-style living available, which provides amazing river views and is popular with professionals working in Canary Wharf and the City.
Shoreditch has become a trendy area that boasts many premium properties, especially in areas like Wilkes Street, Shoreditch High Street and Wheeler Street. Whereas Whitechapel has more down-to-earth properties, like the low-rise block on Malcolm Road and the high-rise block on Hindmarsh Close.
There are many new developments as well, like Aurelia and Hallsville Quarter in Canning Town, and Oxygen in The Royal Victoria Docks. As a result, there is something for everyone in East London.
Properties in East London are some of the most sought-after in the Capital. Here you can find a wide range of places to buy or rent — from inexpensive flats in ex-councils housing estates, to refurbished Victorian terraces, to spacious luxury flats with stunning views over the city.
The most expensive and desirable area of East London is the regenerated industrial area that is now Canary Wharf. Here, you will find glass-fronted skyscrapers in gated developments. In addition, many other residential developments in other areas of East London have transformed urban neighbourhoods into thriving parts of London.
Just beside Canary Wharf is the Isle of Dogs, part of Tower Hamlets. This peninsula has a wide range of terraced two-storey family homes located in quiet streets. The neighbourhood is popular for families because of excellent schools, transport links, and Mudchute Park and City Farm.
Due to its rich industrial heritage and regeneration, East London has an outstanding choice of converted warehouses offering loft-style living. Many riverside properties are found in Limehouse, Wapping, Canary Wharf, and East toward London City Airport. However, the trendy Shoreditch also has stunning loft apartments with split-level conversions in former warehouses.
East End neighbourhoods like Whitechapel, Shoreditch, and Hackey have a large number of period Victorian and Georgian terraces that survived the Blitz. You can find stunning Georgian period houses complete with bay windows and private gardens in the area between Mile End and Victoria Park. An advantage for local residents is the short walk to Canary Wharf.
The north part of East London has revitalised neighbourhoods like Hackney, Leyton, Stratford, and Clapton. Here you can find village-like communities close to public transport links. There is a mix of housing from high-rise ex-council flats to newly-build two-storey three- and four-bedroom homes with off-street parking. Additionally, this East London area is one of the greenest in the city, thanks to Victoria Park and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
In 2021, the average price for property in East London was just over £500,000. This makes East London more affordable than many other parts of the Capital, where the average cost of buying a house is £620,000. However, house prices depend significantly on the area. For example, in Tower Hamlets, the average property price in 2021 was £510,000; however, apartments in Canary Wharf were selling for £1m to £2 m.
New-Build Properties in East London
East London has undergone regeneration since the end of World War 2. However, new residential developments continue to inject life into East London. Many high-rise apartment blocks around the Docklands area attract wealthy individuals and couples who want luxury living in the heart of the city.
Many new developments offer affordable housing around Stratford’s Queens Elizabeth Olympic Park. Additionally, Hallsville Quarter and Aurelia will bring contemporary living in well-appointed flats in Canning Town. Other notable new housing developments in East London include New Market Place, Legacy Wharf, GoodLuck Hope, and Principal Tower.
East London Properties to Let
East London is a popular place for renters. Many residential neighbourhoods are one or two stops away from Canary Wharf, and the Tube to Central London takes 15 minutes. East London also has plenty of rental housing suitable for families, young professionals, or couples.
The average rental price for a one- or two-bedroom property in East London is under £450 per week. However, the cheapest apartments to rent are in multi-storey social housing estates in Hackney, Whitechapel, and Forest Gate. On the other end of the scale, rental prices in Canary Wharf can be as much as £1,500 per week.
Due to ongoing regeneration, East London is an attractive area to invest in buy-to-let properties.
East London Schools
There are many excellent primary and secondary schools across East London. Here are some of the secondary schools that you will find in the region:
- Stratford – ARK Globe Academy, Beal High School, Beatrice Tate School, Cavendish School
- Walthamstow – Belmont Park School, Holy Family Catholic School, Highams Park School, Kelmscott School
- Newham – Cumberland School, Forest Gate Community School, Kingsford Community School, Rokeby School
- Tower Hamlets – Bow School, St Paul's Way Trust, Wapping High school
There are also many primary schools across East London, including:
- Barking & Dagenham – Becontree Primary School, Dorothy Barley Infants' School, Eastbury Primary School, Five Elms Primary School
- Newham – Avenue Primary School, Britannia Village Primary School, Carpenters Primary School, Drew Primary School
- Walthamstow – Barn Croft Primary, Ferry Lane Primary, Gwyn Jones Primary
- Stratford – Carpenters Primary School, Gainsborough Primary School, Ranelagh Primary School
- Tower Hamlets – Blue Gate Fields, Christ Church CofE, William Davis, St Mary and St Michael RC
East London Regeneration Information
One of the largest regeneration projects in London took place in East London in the run-up to the Olympic Games in 2012. £9 billion was invested in the area, and much of this investment has continued to improve the area long after the Games ended.
The East End is set to see significant population growth over coming years, and many new homes are planned for the area. The sports facilities used for the Olympics are now popular with residents, and Olympic Park has become a popular tourist attraction in its own right.
Improvements include five neighbourhoods that have been created in and near to the Olympic Park, adding 8,000 new homes, the Lee Valley Velopark, the 2,800 flats in the Olympic Village, half of which are affordable housing, a huge data storage facility in the Olympics Media Centre, and more.
History of East London
East London has a long and fascinating history. Centuries ago, it was no more than countryside on the outskirts of the city, with a Roman road passing through. Many centuries later, as London grew, East London's growth became directly linked to trade.
During the 17th century, the London Docks grew considerably. Many trades were established in East London, and these were called ‘dirty’ trades consisting of factories, breweries and slaughter houses. They were located in the east of the city because the westerly winds carried the smells away from the wealthier West End.
Immigrants also play a large role in the history of East London. They arrived on boats in various waves over the decades and helped the area to become a true melting pot of cultures.
The London Docks fell into decline, but it has since been renewed by the London Docklands Development Corporation, which led to Canary Wharf and the surrounding area becoming some of the most desirable real estate in the city.
The Olympics in 2012 led to the creation of Olympic Park and a large redevelopment project in East London. Improvement works continue to be made, which will keep transforming the city further over the coming years.
Transport Information
East London covers a huge area, but it is all well linked with trains, underground and buses. Here are some of the main stations in the area:
- Barking and Dagenham – Barking Station is the main station, and there are numerous Underground stops on the District Line, which goes through the area.
- Bexley – There are various mainline stations here including Barnehurst Station, Bexleyheath, Welling, Crawford, Bexley, Albany Park and Sidcup.
- Greenwich – Lots of transport links on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), as well as Underground stations including North Greenwich Station on the Jubilee Line.
- Hackney – Has numerous mainline stations including Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, Rectory Road and London Fields. The main Underground station is Manor House on the Piccadilly Line.
- Havering – The District Line runs through Havering and has stations at Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster, which is also a mainline station. Other mainline stations include Romford, Gidea Park, Emerson Park.
- Newham – Both the District Line and the Hammersmith & City Line run through Newham. The DLR also runs from North to South.
- Redbridge – The Central Line runs through Redbridge, and there are also various mainline stations including Ilford, Seven Kings and Goodmayes.
Things To Do in East London
East London has many attractions, making it a popular area for tourists, but it also has many things for residents to do. Some of the top attractions include:
- Geffrye Museum – boasting beautiful gardens and stunning period rooms.
- Whitechapel Art Gallery – this has long been a popular art centre in the area.
- Sutton House – a National Trust property with an interesting history.
- Museum of London Docklands – a fascinating museum where you will find out about this history of the Docklands over the centuries.
- The Tower of London – one of the biggest attractions in London.
- Spitalfields City Farm – experience the countryside right in the middle of London.
- Columbia Road Flower Market – one of the best markets in the capital with a relaxed vibe and street musicians.
- V&A Museum of Childhood – see old toys and fascinating displays for a nostalgic day out.
- The Olympic Park – take part in some sporting activities or just walk around and enjoy the surroundings.
Find Out More about East London
To find out more about what this area has to offer, plus the wide range of East London property, feel free to contact our East London estate agents office on 020 7231 1066.
Properties in East London
