I’ve lived with my husband and kids in a Victorian house in Forest Gate for about six years. It’s a lovely house that had such charm when we bought it but really needed updating.
When we first started looking to buy, Forest Gate was the only neighbourhood we could afford.
My husband rented in Hackney for 18 years but we couldn’t even afford a shoe box there. So we decided to take the plunge and move further out.
We’re lucky it’s boomed a bit. We didn’t realise we had made a smart move but now I feel like we definitely did.
Best eating and drinking
Wild Goose Bakery in Forest Gate Arches is the place for a light breakfast or lunch. The food is inspired by South Africa and recipes that have been handed down by owner Vernon’s ouma, Ruth.
There is a pop-up that’s opened called Missy. They do ferments and pickles and it’s really lovely. It’s part of the Pretty Decent Beer Co taproom, which is also great.
Giovanna’s Deli & Wine does delicious pizza and pasta. Burgess & Hall is the place for wines. There is also a new natural wine store called Dina that does supper clubs and tastings.
For a culture fix
There’s a lot of interesting history around Forest Gate.
Arnold Schwarzenegger lived on Romford Road in the Sixties and trained at what was Wag Bennett’s Muscle Mansion gym. Epping Forest is fascinating in terms of outdoor culture.
There’s a place called the Number 8 Forest Gate Emporium and the guy who runs it is an information whiz. So if you ever pop in and want to know any historical facts about the area, he has you absolutely covered.
To commune with nature
Wanstead Flats is a green area that looks really vast. When you look out you can see the Canary Wharf skyline.
It is an amazing part of London because it really is a hybrid between city and country.
I like to walk from my house to the Flats, get a cup of tea and sit on the benches. Bike rides are fun in the summer, too.
Where I work out
I tend to walk around the Flats. I also love going for a swim and the Olympic Pool in Stratford is just two train stops away.
Grocery shopping
Woodgrange Market pops up every Saturday with lots of organic offerings that everybody loves. On a Sunday there is Leytonstone farmers’ market for fruit and veg.
Head to the Dusty Knuckle float for bread, pastry and sandwiches. There is a brilliant fishmonger as well.
On Woodgrange Road you will find a little French grocery shop called Cups & Jars, which is great but expensive.
Getting around
I’ve got no sense of direction so getting around on the roads by bike is not possible for me. But the new Elizabeth line goes to Liverpool Street in 12 minutes.
Alternatively, the Overground from Wanstead Park takes you to Blackhorse Road where you can jump on the Victoria line. It’s really well connected around here.
Dream street
Anywhere in the Woodgrange Estate conservation area is so beautiful.
There are these tree-lined, grid-like streets that are separated by roundabouts. They were built by an American architect so when you look at it from an aerial view, it looks like America because it’s all in blocks.
Something you only see in Forest Gate
It’s a real melting pot of lots of different types of people, young and old. There are people from Bangladesh, people from Poland. It’s such a hybrid of people who live quite harmoniously.
I talk to my neighbours on either side and it feels like there is a nice community vibe here.
What’s the catch?
There are a lot of underlying issues with crime and I wouldn’t feel completely safe walking around alone at night.
In three words
Eclectic. Green. Busy.
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Schools
There are several primary schools in Forest Gate rated good or outstanding including St Antony’s Catholic Primary School and St Stephen’s Primary School.
For secondary school, Forest Gate Community School and St Bonaventure’s RC School are deemed outstanding by Ofsted.
What it costs to live in Forest Gate
Average flat price: £317,854
Average house price: £585,645
Average price to rent a flat: £1,297 a month
Average price to rent a house: £1,846 a month
