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Today I want to bring you my guide to the best places to live in east London for your style. I get asked where to live in London all the time, and now I want to answer that question. There are so many east London neighborhoods you can choose from, so I’m going to show you where you can move based on your unique personal preferences, interests, and work situation. I’ve included an interactive map of all the neighborhoods on my list as well.
Best Places to Live in East London
One of the most challenging things about deciding on the best place to live in east London is that there are so many appealing options. London is enormous, and the East End covers an impressive geographical expanse.
Where to live in the eastern part of the UK capital depends on a variety of factors. These include your own individual style, budget, tastes, and commute to the office (if you have one).
Where your friends (and family, if they’re London-based) live is also important. Traveling from one part of London to another can take a good deal of time.
One of the best pieces of advice I was given when I moved to the UK was to live in an area near people I know.
East London is a great part of the city to live in because it can be less expensive than central London, it’s well-served by public transport, and its hip reputation means there are new and creative things going on all the time.
Most areas in the East End are in easy reach of the tube, Overground, train, DLR, or local buses. Whether it’s your work or a friend’s place, you’ll often be fortunate enough to enjoy a convenient journey.
Keeping that in mind, my list of the best places to live in east London is intended to show you a variety of ideas for areas you can move to.
Whether you like street art or street markets, heritage buildings or cutting-edge contemporary architecture, there’s a part of the East End for you.
No matter if you’re an expat, couple, young professional, student, family, or something else, there’s an area that will fit your budget, style, and preferences.
This blog post also has links to my individual posts about east London neighborhoods. They’ll provide you with additional information and ideas about each one.
Think of this post as the highlight reel and the others as places where you can gain more insight.
After you’ve had a read, you can decide which part of the East End best fits your tastes and circumstances. If you want to buy a property in the city, my guide to how to buy a flat in London can help with next steps.
In any case, I hope you discover the best place to live in east London for you. If you need more inspiration, my free self-guided east London walks will take you through some of the neighborhoods on my list.
The walks will guide you around the high streets, side streets, and secret places in east London, and they’ll help you get to know each area and its distinct character.
If you want to spend a bit of time here before making an official move, you can book a place to stay in the East End here. There are lots of good options, including hotels, apartment rentals, and more.
1. Shoreditch
Since it’s one of the most talked-about east London neighborhoods, I’ll start my list of the best places to live in east London with Shoreditch.
This place has some of the coolest restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightlife in the UK capital, and it’s the ideal place to get acquainted with the hipster culture of the East End.
From Shoreditch High Street to Great Eastern Street, Redchurch Street to Rivington Street, this part of the UK capital is full of street art, creativity, and all things trendy. It’s a popular area for young professionals and expats to live.
If you want to discover the area, my Shoreditch walks and maps can help.
Pros of living in Shoreditch include the proximity to central London and the City, good tube and rail connections, great restaurants and bars, and gentrification (if that’s your thing).
Cons of living in Shoreditch include higher housing prices than some other parts of the East End and gentrification (if that’s not your thing).
If you want to spend a bit of time here before making an official move, you can book a place to stay in Shoreditch here. I’ve stayed at the The Hoxton, and it’s one of my favorite quirky hotels in London. You can reserve a room here.
2. Spitalfields
Just south of Shoreditch, Spitalfields is another of the best areas to live in east London. From the treasure trove of Old Spitalfields Market to the street art around Brick Lane, this neighborhood is bursting with life and color.
Spitalfields also has historic side streets to discover. Puma Court and Princelet Street are two of my favorites. The 18th-century Huguenot silk weavers’ houses on the latter are beautiful.
And that’s to say nothing of the Sunday markets, which bring Brick Lane and the Old Truman Brewery to life with food, vintage goods, and other fun finds.
If you want to see more of the neighborhood, you can go on my free self-guided walk in Spitalfields or my east London street art tour in Spitalfields and Shoreditch.
Pros of living in Spitalfields include the proximity to central London and the City, good tube and train connections, cultural diversity, and great markets, restaurants, and nightlife.
Cons of living in Spitalfields include higher housing prices than some other parts of east London (depending where you live), and busy streets on Sundays when the markets are on.
If you want to spend some time here before making a big move, you can book a place to stay in Spitalfields here.
3. Whitechapel
Just south of Spitalfields, Whitechapel is one of the best places to live in east London for its blend of history and culture. Everything from the Royal London Hospital Museum to the Islamic Cultural Centre and East London Mosque is here.
Add to that the long-standing Whitechapel Market with its vibrant fruits and fabrics, and the Whitechapel Gallery with its cutting-edge art exhibitions, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
A blend of contemporary cafes and famous no-frills curry houses rounds out the scene in this part of the East End.
Pros of living in Whitechapel include the proximity to central London and the City, good tube and train connections, markets and restaurants, cultural diversity, and slightly lower housing costs than other parts of London.
Cons of living in Whitechapel include the wide, busy high street and slightly fewer trendy restaurants and bars than some other parts of east London.
If you want to spend a bit of time checking out the area before moving, you can book a place to stay in Whitechapel here. My favorite is a design-led aparthotel called Leman Locke. You can reserve an apartment here and live like a local.
4. Wapping
Just south of Whitechapel, Wapping is another of the best places to live in east London.
This riverside neighborhood is the site of some of the most historic pubs in London. They sit alongside heritage dock warehouse conversions that are popular places to move into.
Wapping is also home to the Ornamental Canal and historic clipper ships. Wapping High Street has trendy shops and cafes, and Tobacco Dock hosts events all throughout the year.
Pros of living in Wapping include the proximity to the Thames and the City, an Overground station, and slightly lower housing costs than other parts of London.
Cons of living in Wapping include the lack of a tube station and slightly fewer trendy restaurants and bars than some other parts of east London.
If you want to spend some time in the area before making a move, you can book a place to stay in Wapping here.
5. Walthamstow
Next on my list is Walthamstow. This neighborhood is one of the best places to live in north east London, and it’s become increasingly popular over the years.
This area is home to great restaurants, a famous neon art store, and the William Morris Gallery, a museum dedicated to the life and works of the famous English Arts and Crafts Movement designer.
Walthamstow also has historic streets and a mix of heritage buildings and contemporary shops and workshops. Add to that the area’s wetlands, and there are a lot of great things to do in Walthamstow.
Pros of living in Walthamstow include the good public transport links, lower housing costs than other parts of London (which makes it one of the best places to live in east London for families), creative businesses, and community feel.
The main con of living in Walthamstow is the distance from central London (but the aforementioned transport links help with that).
If you want to spend some time in the area before making a move, you can book a place to stay in Walthamstow here.
6. Hackney
Hackney is one of the most popular places to live in east London, and also one of the most hipster neighborhoods in the city.
This expansive area is home to everything from London Fields park to Regent’s Canal and National Trust London properties like Sutton House, the oldest domestic building in the area.
Chatsworth Road Market and Broadway Market are two local favorites for food and vintage goods, Netil Market has mouth-watering bagels and other delicious finds, and the Columbia Road Flower Market is renowned for its blooms.
Add to that bars under railway arches, a hip nightlife scene, inventive restaurants, trendy cafes, and the green space that is Victoria Park, and there are lots of fun things to do in Hackney.
Pros of living in Hackney include the Overground and train connections, creative businesses, Regent’s Canal, trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars, and great nightlife.
The main con of living in Hackney is the lack of a tube station (but the other transport links help with that).
If you want to spend a bit of time in the area before moving here, you can book a place to stay in Hackney here.
7. Hackney Wick
Hackney Wick is one of London’s trendiest areas, and it’s one of the best places to live in east London for young professionals. It’s known for its nightlife scene, which makes it one of the coolest neighborhoods in London.
Sitting along the Lee Navigation canal, Hackney Wick is full of artists’ studios in converted industrial spaces, independent breweries, and trendy cafes. It’s just the place to channel your inner hipster in the East End.
Pros of living in Hackney Wick include the Overground station, creative enterprises, canal, hip restaurants, cafes, and bars, and unbeatable nightlife scene.
The main con of living in Hackney Wick is the lack of a tube station (but Stratford station is just a walk through the park).
If you want to spend some time testing out the area before you move here, you can book a place to stay in Hackney Wick here.
8. Dalston
Dalston is another of the best areas to live in east London. In its heart lies Kingsland Road, a street known for everything from Vietnamese restaurants to trendy cocktail bars.
Ridley Road is another highlight of Dalston. Ridley Road Market has produce and home goods for sale, and it’s a fun place to get into the local spirit.
Pros of living in Dalston include the Overground stations, market, great restaurants, and nightlife scene.
Cons of living in Dalston include the lack of a tube station and slightly farther distance from central London.
If you want to try out this part of the East End before you move here, you can book a place to stay in Dalston here.
9. Hoxton
Hoxton is another of the best places to live in east London. From the green expanse of Shoreditch Park to contemporary art galleries and hip bars, this area has a lot to discover.
Hoxton Street Market is the oldest of its kind in Hackney. It sells food, handicrafts, clothing, and other goods every Saturday.
Hoxton is also right on Regent’s Canal. There are cool bars along the water, and they’re fun places to get into the area’s hipster scene.
Pros of living in Hoxton include the Overground station, proximity to the Old Street tube station and central London, canal, and market.
The main con of living in Hoxton is that some parts aren’t as nice as neighboring areas like Angel, Shoreditch, and Clerkenwell.
If you want to try out this part of the East End before you move here, you can book a place to stay in Hoxton here.
10. Haggerston
Also on Regent’s Canal, Haggerston is equally littered with trendy cocktail bars and waterfront cafes. From Kingsland Road to Kingsland Basin, there are plenty of places to fall in love with.
Add to that the Regent’s Canal Towpath, railway arches teeming with hip eateries, and the green expanse of Stonebridge Gardens, and this pocket of east London has a lot to discover.
Pros of living in Haggerston include the Overground station, canal, and cool restaurants and bars.
Cons of living in Haggerston include that it’s slightly farther from central London and there’s no tube station.
If you want to test out this part of the city before you move here, you can book a place to stay in Haggerston here.
11. Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington is next on my list of the best places to live in London’s East End. This fun area is full of local independent restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, and pubs.
Stoke Newington is also home to Clissold Park, a green space that dates back to the days of William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book in the 11th century.
And that’s to say nothing of Abney Park, an early 18th-century cemetery that’s now a place to walk and take in the city’s natural beauty.
This area is popular with young professionals, couples, and others who are drawn to its village-like atmosphere.
Pros of living in Stoke Newington include the large green spaces, independent shops and restaurants, and community feel.
Cons of living in Stoke Newington include a longer distance from central London and a relative lack of public transport links (although there is an Overground station).
If you want to test out this part of the city before you move here, you can book a place to stay in Stoke Newington here.
12. Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is another popular east London neighborhood to live in. Home to the V&A Museum of Childhood and Bethnal Green Gardens, it offers everything from culture to parks.
It also has its share of trendy East End cafes and bars. Bethnal Green Road has lots of places to eat and drink, and the railway arches on Paradise Row are full of hip restaurants.
Pros of living in Bethnal Green include the tube station, proximity to Victoria Park, independent cafes and restaurants, and cultural institutions.
The main con of living in Bethnal Green is a slightly longer distance from central London.
If you want to try out this part of the UK capital before moving here, you can book a place to stay in Bethnal Green here.
13. Canary Wharf
Back on the Thames, Canary Wharf is another of the best places to live in East London. It’s famous for its fleet of skyscrapers that house many of the city’s banking offices.
This area has reinvented itself in recent decades as a financial hub. It’s a popular place for people who work in the area to live.
Nestled among the steel and glass are landmarks like Billingsgate Market, the Museum of London Docklands, and The Gun, one of the most historic riverside pubs in London. The area is worth a look for its mix of all things historic and contemporary.
Pros of living in Canary Wharf include the tube and DLR stations, proximity to offices (if you work here), eastern outposts of famous central London restaurants, and large shopping mall.
The main con of living in Canary Wharf is a slightly longer distance from central London and the fact that it can be quiet on weekends.
If you want to stay in this part of London before moving here, you can book a place to stay in Canary Wharf here.
14. Limehouse
Just west of Canary Wharf, Limehouse is another popular east London neighborhood to live in. This historic dockland area is home to converted warehouses, and Limehouse Basin has a marina.
Heritage pubs like The Grapes date back to the 16th century, and modern ones like The Narrow by Gordon Ramsay are popular with food lovers.
Limehouse is a fairly residential area, and it’s a good choice for people who work in the City, Canary Wharf, and other places in the East End.
Pros of living in Limehouse include the DLR and train stations, proximity to offices (if you work near here), marina, and slightly lower housing prices than Canary Wharf.
The main con of living in Limehouse its residential nature makes it less of a hub for restaurants and other entertainment.
If you want to stay in this part of London before moving here, you can book a place to stay in Limehouse here.
15. Stratford
Right by Hackney Wick, Stratford is another popular place to live in east London. The area is known for its huge shopping mall, the Westfield Stratford City, and its massive transport hub.
Right by the mall, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a sporting complex that features a mix of stadiums built for the London 2012 Olympics, as well as parks, waterways, and playgrounds.
Pros of living in Stratford include the excellent transport connections, shopping mall, and slightly lower housing prices than other parts of London.
Cons of living in Stratford include its distance from central London and its relative lack of “cool” (but it’s right by Hackney Wick, so you can find hip places if you want them).
If you’d like to stay in this part of London before moving here, you can book a place to stay in Stratford here.
Map of Areas to Live in East London
Best Places to Live in East London
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the best places to live in east London and that it’s helped you pick the right fit for your life and circumstances.
If you’re interested in other areas, you can take a look at my guides to the best places to live in north London, the best places to live in central London, and the best places to live in west London.
If you want to see the whole city in one place, my map of London neighborhoods can help. And if you’re still in the process of trying to figure out how to relocate to the UK, you can check out my guide to how to move to London. Happy moving!
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