While Mile End once to had an unsavoury reputation, thanks to ‘the Shoreditch effect’ the area’s popularity has been growing since the mid-Noughties.
This – along with a few Met Police initiatives – mean it has become a much safer, gentrified place to live. Mile End feels pretty suburban – it’s mostly made up of houses and flats – but it’s still close to central London.
Don’t move here if you like being at the centre of the action – it’s pretty residential.
During the past few years, Mile End has reeled in young professionals looking for an easy commute. The area is also home to born-and-bred Londoners, as well as people from all around the world. There’s a heavy student population (about 20 per cent) so it’s pretty lively.
Active types will want to hit Mile End Park. There’s a climbing wall, which runs classes for different levels throughout the week, and you’ll also find go-karting facilities, plus a sports park with swimming pools and sports courts.
Get your cultural fix from Mile End Art Pavilion on the same site. The glass-fronted gallery space overlooks a lake and holds various different exhibitions.
When it comes to bars, cafes and restaurants you’ve got plenty of options. Aside from the Costa and Nando’s on Mile End Road, the Greedy Cow restaurant (greedycow.com) on Grove Road is renowned for its burgers and Lebanese restaurant The Orange Room has been on Burdett Road for years (orangeroomlebanese.co.uk).
The New Globe pub on Mile End Road is a good London boozer and the Morgan Arms gastropub (morganarmsbow.com) on Morgan Street is a favourite of Mile End resident and filmmaker Danny Boyle. Brick Lane and Shoreditch are just up the road for bigger nights out.
Just north is Victoria Park Village. “It’s just like Islington used to be – it’s really quaint and full of little restaurants and cafes,” says Russell Stone, from WJ Meade estate agents on Mile End Road.
“And on a nice day, Mile End residents walk up to Columbia Road Flower Market.”
There are three Tube lines – Central, District and Hammersmith & City – plus tons of buses to central and north London. You’re a 20-minute walk into the City, and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf by bus.
You’re sure to find what you want, since there’s a real mix of properties – a lot of ex-local authority, mixed with slick new builds and period homes.
The further north you look, the cheaper it gets, but around the Tube is the most sought after – especially in the tucked-away Tredegar Square and Morgan Street, which are quiet, but minutes from the station.
