Places to Avoid Living in London

London like every other city in the world has a few rough patches to avoid if you possibly can. We have been living peacefully in London for the last three years and would like to share some of that advice with you folks out there. Remember that cheap is not always the best option when choosing a new area to move into. Obviously, the costs are spiralling when you have just moved to London. Living expenses can be quite depressing sometimes but unfortunately, if you want to live in a nice neighbourhood without any trouble then we strongly recommend you move into an area which is not too cheap. You do not have to move into an area which is the cream of the crop.

We have lived in a very “posh” area as the English call them not too long ago and it was a completely different scene as to where we are living now. The “posh” area got too expensive and we moved into south east London which is a little bit “dodgy” but not too bad if you know what to look out for. As a general rule, we have found that West London can be quite a “posh” area and you’re more likely to enjoy yourself living there but you could enjoy East London just as much.

According to our own personal experience and stories we have heard we would strongly recommend you not moving into any of these areas unless you can really not help it. By the way, hope this article did not put you off moving to London but educate you a little bit more on life in London.

Brixton – Located in Zone 2 and quite centralised when it comes to working in the city but has a known reputation which will make grown men avoid that area at all times of the day. I always travel through Brixton and it does look quite interesting but the fact that I’ve seen way too many police cars and tape in the high street has made me think twice about visiting.

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Stratford – Located in North East London has become quite dangerous over the last couple of years. A lot of street gangs have taken over the area which makes me a little bit too nervous to travel in that area.

stratford-london-map.jpg

Stoke Newington – This area have seen a lot of stabbings lately between teen gang members which makes me wonder what the kids are up to these days. The area is not all that bad but the teenage gangs are really making the place look bad. London had 17 teenagers killed this year due to teenage gangs going after each other.

stoke-newington-london.jpg

Acton – Various men have told me about this area and said that they would not want to live there. The area has a lot of outside influence with so many nationalities and cultures under one post code. The area seems to come alive during the day during trading hours but at night it is a whole new ball game.

acton-london-area.jpg

People do bad things in all London Boroughs if you catch my drift. Do not tempt anyone by walking around with flashy Ipods, mp3 players and digital cameras if not needed. Always check around you when you walk down a street and be a little bit observant. If you see anything out of the ordinary, tell someone.

The bottom line is that this is a rough guide based on experiences. We’re not here to change your mind about where you want to stay, not at all! Bad areas can become good areas and the other way around.

***** Tell us why any of these areas should be reviewed and changed and we’ll stick your comment up here.

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Comments

  1. 1
    Anna Costa // February 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Hello! I found your site on google and i just had to say that it’s been quite helpful. The information is pretty direct and extremely useful. I’m a single mom and i’m planning to move to London when my daughter’s school ends in june, so i started researching good places to live in London with a teenage daughter. If you have any tips or sites that you know of that would help me refine my research i would be forever grateful! This specific article has already helped a lot! Already marked on my map for areas “cut-off” of my “places to look at”.

    Congratulations on the web site!
    Best!
    Anna Costa

  2. 2
    Dominic // April 19th, 2008 at 11:02 am

    ummm… where’s Hackney and Tower Hamlets?

  3. 3
    Author: Stooly // April 19th, 2008 at 11:19 am

    Dominic, you’ve got an excellent point there! Think we should review this article a bit. Another article is in the making to discuss all the places you should have a look at when making those final decisions.

  4. 4
    x // July 10th, 2008 at 3:24 am

    Hi
    good website but can you update please. i have friends who live in France and they are very concerned about what happened in London last week so it will be useful if you can mention the other places so i can forward your site to the students in UNI in france who are thinking twice about coming to london to continue their studies. thanks again

  5. 5
    Elizabeth // November 20th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

    Is Barnes a nice place to live?

  6. 6
    Author: Stooly // November 29th, 2008 at 5:51 am

    Barnes? I would say that it is a very nice place to live in but you will probably pay an arm and a leg to stay there. It’s what a lot of people call “posh”.

  7. 7
    Elizabeth // November 30th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    How posh? Is it over-the-top ritzy like Beverly Hills? I am just looking for a nice area where I can send my daughter to the store and not worry that she will be mugged or kidnapped on the way. I really like the schools in Barnes. What do you know about the area?

  8. 8
    Ze // December 24th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

    Hi
    I’m about to move to london (still looking for a cheap-but-not-so-cheap-that-will-get-me-robbed-and-stabbed house) to finish my studies, and wanted to say thank you for all the helpful information you have here.
    Once I’m living there I’ll surely try to contribute to your website.

  9. 9
    Author: Stooly // December 26th, 2008 at 4:42 am

    Ze, thank you for the kind words!

    You could always leave another comment with your experience so far and we will stick it online, might help someone else. We’re in the process of revamping the site as it feels like the information is all over the place!

  10. 10
    magdalena // February 11th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    hey there
    i’m moving to london quite soon. all i know is to avoid the east side although i’m sure there’s decent places there!
    how is the area that contains islington, hammersmith, wandsworth and westminister? i guess i’m talking about a general central location. anything would be useful at this point! thanks!

  11. 11
    P // February 20th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Stoke Newington? What a load of rubbish. Youv’e missed out most of the percieved ‘dodgy’ areas (Peckham, Hackney etc.) but the truth is most areas in London has it’s fair share of crime.
    As long as youre not an idiot walking around at night with an ipod or a member of a notorious gang you shouldn’t have any problems.

  12. 12
    Author: Stooly // March 1st, 2009 at 8:16 am

    magdalena, I personally loved living in the South West of London but I now live in the South East… although not as nice but not bad if you know how to stay safe.

    Westminster and Hammersmith will be quite expensive… but if you can afford it, then go for it. Islington? That place gives me the shivers but all areas have a good side and a bad side…Wandsworth is quite cheap, not bad, I like the area but like I said, each area has their good side and bad side.

  13. 13
    Author: Stooly // March 1st, 2009 at 8:16 am

    P!

    You’ve got a valid point. I was thinking about your comment the other day and decided that I am going to review this guide completely… your help would be appreciated. Any tips?

  14. 14
    Jester // March 31st, 2009 at 7:28 am

    This website gives the crime stats for any postcode a far more objective view on crime in any area.

  15. 15
    Gladys // May 12th, 2009 at 3:26 am

    I’m thinking to go to live to london. I come from buenos aires originally, but I’ve been living in England for 18 years know. I would like to buy flat in an area which is cheap but with lots of things to do, like music, has to be multicultural. I like to go out at evenings and I do not drive, I’ve got a bike. I like to have breakfast in cafes. Can someone help me to find THE place?
    Thank you very much,
    Gladys

  16. 16
    ashleigh // May 18th, 2009 at 5:39 am

    Hi, i live in east london, have done all my life, i come from east ham in newham, its ok, not much crime, not really any gangs as such, its quite a small town really bit shabby round the edges, loads of different cultures, to be honest its very crowded now, i would like to move to another area, just for a change really as i have lived in this borough for years, i have found a house in walthomstow, very close to billet round a bout, so more north, but i have heard terrible things, there is lots of crime, gangs wearing bandanars on their faces, robbing and stabbing people, and some gun crime, the house is lovely and was really looking forward to going to another borough, is walthomstow really this bad, i have young children so they would grow up in this area, can some one help, is it that bad, iv got a n headache thinking about it, stay in newham east ham or go walthomstow, help please

  17. 17
    Author: Stooly // May 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    ashleigh,

    I have done a bit of research to help you with your decision in moving to Walthamstow. According to the crime figures for the rolling year, it seems like Walthamstow is much safer if you compare it to Newham. The MET does have a plan to introduce more Safer Neighbourhoods to patrol problem areas. Here is the link directly to that Safer Neighbourhood, get in touch with them, they are a friendly bunch and will help you out with any queries regarding safety.

    http://www.met.police.uk/teams/walthamforest/highamhill/index.php

    Oh, and I would definately poke around the council’s website for advice about raising your children in the area.

    http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/community.htm

  18. 18
    anam // June 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    hi
    i lived in walthamstow for about 5 years…n i must say that now i don’t feel myself any more safe because of the crime rate.
    i would definately waht to move from here.

  19. 19
    Author: Stooly // June 9th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

    anam, thanks for your input! :)

    It seems like crime is on the increase all over London, nobody is safe anymore. I think we need to stand together as a community to make a change for the future.

    What crime bothers you the most?

  20. 20
    sandrar // September 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.

  21. 21
    david // February 5th, 2010 at 9:05 pm

    i am from australia, and i feel that places in london are either crap, or too posh.. its really hard to find just a decent balanced part of london with normal average type people!

  22. 22
    Katie Prior // February 19th, 2010 at 7:27 am

    Hello! I have lived in Brixton for 10 years and have never been a victim of crime. Its a brilliant area to live in if you want to live in an urban environment and London is an urban environment! I live on an extremely friendly and community minded road. I have many friends in Stoke Newington with families and they love it. Your basis for marking these areas as non-livable is extraordinary! You’ve travelled through Brixton and that is how you’ve made your judgement? As a previous poster has said, London is a big city and there is crime in any area I’m afraid. You just have to be street-wise and embrace life in a big city. Fear may stop you from experiencing the best of this wonderful place.

  23. 23
    morthon // February 28th, 2010 at 8:07 am

    Hi,

    I am moving to London as from the 4th March…and I am looking for a nice place to live in near Canary Wharf…which areas do you advise me??

    Best regards

    Morthon

  24. 24
    Mirra // March 7th, 2010 at 9:26 am

    Hi,
    I found your website on google. At this moment I look where to live in London and which area better when I live now.
    I lived in Tottenham, Seven Sisters, Walthamstow and now I live in Custom House (East London). All these areas are bad, but cheap. you should be careful every time. in my area (Custom House) and especially in my street where I live now, it’s very dangerous, because police is coming everyday. Crime, crime, crime!!! Really tired! Don’t live in Newham Borough!
    I’m a single mum and have 3years old daughter. I think to move to Richmond Borough Council area. Better, I will pay more, but I and my daughter feel safe.
    I found useful your article!!!

  25. 25
    Peter // April 6th, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    I’m about to move to London as well. Thanks for your website, it’s really helpful!
    So, we know the bad areas of London, but can anyone say what would be a really nice and safe place for living? I’m not a celeb or millionaire so of course I’m not looking for a really “posh” place. I want that area to be nice, safe (if this word has a meaning in London), not too cheap but not too expensive. Please can anyone name those places, that would be really helpful.

  26. 26
    Marion // April 8th, 2010 at 1:01 am

    I lived in London for 8 months, firstly in a share house in Kilburn for 3 months then East Acton. I wouldn’t recommend Kilburn, many businesses have shut down on the high street, making it increasingly deserted. I agree with your statement about Acton, it is fine during the day on the high streets, but like all places you need to keep your witts about you. I lived in East Acton, fairly quiet, and never felt unsafe or uneasy. It is multicultural, Polish and Aussies alike, but yeah I found no problems with it.

  27. 27
    Lee // April 13th, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    Ive been moved around poor parts of London all my life and can honestly say that the worst places for things like muggings, drugs and gang violence in order would have to be…
    1. Peckham
    2. Dagenham
    3. Brixton (never lived there but heard stuff about it)
    4. Edmonton

  28. 28
    Anthony // May 3rd, 2010 at 3:34 am

    Hello all,
    I saw how helpful you all are and thought i would try and see if anyone could help me with my dilemma.

    I will be moving to London this September and am looking for a safe area to live in. Me and my fiancée will be commuting to London Metropolitan and Greenwich so it has to be roughly 5miles from each destination.

    Tower hamlets seemed ideal for us but i was shocked to find out how bad it is there!

    Anyway, if anyone can help me out, it would be much appreciated, this moving business can be overwhelming.

    Thank you!

  29. 29
    East London Lad // June 18th, 2010 at 10:55 am

    Put it this way, you go around being scared, people will pick on you. You go around flashing your wealth and/or thinking you’re a big shot, people will pick on you. Hold your head up and keep your eyes open and you wont go getting stabbed up. Stay out of people’s housing estates if you don’t know the estate very very well cos that is the playground of lots of little ba$tards who dont like new faces. If you have an accent, dont go speaking loudly in areas like Stratford or Hackney cos you will stand out like a sore thumb. Same for on the tube. When you are in non tourist areas dont walk around with a map in your hand – makes you look pretty alien!

    Areas to avoid if you’re new to the city and some full stop:
    Stratford, Hackney (especially Homerton), Dalston, the whole of Tower Hamlets, Harlesdon, Peckham, West Croydon there’s more but i’ll let you find out….. :D

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