Does anyone live in Ilford? Is it rubbish?!

[crystalgall]

Just that really.
I know ilford well and have lived in East London all my life. Hackney growing up,
Walthamstow and now we are looking to move from wanstead/South Woodford and house prices are a LOT cheaper in ilford. But it just seems a bit grubby and rundown. We are totally priced out of Hackney and Walthamstow.

Anyone got anything nice to say about it?

[crystalgall]

Bump

[TheCyclist]

Had some friends who lived there a few years ago. Have to say, Ilford's charms are well-hidden. Seemed to be lots of endless, Victoria roads and dual carriageways. What about Manor Park?

[TheCokeMachine]

PM me, I know it very well.

I assume you are talking North Ilford/Gants Hill? Not the horrible Ilford Lane side

[maybebabybee]

I also know it v well and I'm afraid I would never live there, it's quite rough without being interesting.

[crystalgall]

Yes coke. The commonwealth estate? I was surprised at some of the lovely period houses in Ilford after normally being confronted by huge ugly monstrosities

[crystalgall]

The thing is wanstead/South Woodford have decent primaries but rubbish secondaries whereas ilford has 2 outstanding secondaries as well as primaries. For a rough area the schools are doing well and i mean the state schools not grammar.

[maybebabybee]

It depends what your priorities are. I actually went to seven kings high school for sixth form (think that might be one of the outstandings?) and it was great but I wouldn't want to live there purely on that basis. The schools do well as the area has a high Asian demographic who really value education which is a bonus.

I still wouldn't buy there. There is nothing going on and no character, IMO.

[crystalgall]

We are the Asian demographic maybe

[crystalgall]

And that is exactly what we hate about it. No character. Just a bunch of roads off a dual carriageway.
And yet...yet...so cheap!

[TheWoodenSpoonOfMischief]

It's a bit rough but there are some better areas around ilford.
The good thing about the wider area is that there are so many green spaces not too far and the schools are good.
Go see some properties you like and get a feel for the area.

[maybebabybee]

It is cheap yes, but IMO it's cheap for a reason....the same reason East Ham is cheap.

There are actually some gorgeous properties in East Ham going very cheaply but I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole (and I grew up there).

Have you considered south east London? That's where we're buying.

[TheCokeMachine]

I've messaged you.

[Wincher]

The roads around Valentine's park seem gorgeous - huge period properties with that amazing park on the doorstep. Don't know much about it beyond that though, and I know the town centre is grim! It does have an m&s though

[whathaveiforgottentoday]

I lived in Seven Kings and been local for years, but would avoid iilford despite the good schools. People always seem so miserable in Ilford town centre. good burger bar in seven kings of my drunken memory serves me right. That's it on my positive recommendations.

[Karcheer]

I wouldn't live anywhere near central ilford. Could you get anything nearer Redbridge or clayhall?

[fabulousathome]

Prices should rise as Crossrail will pass through Ilford Station. I was brought up in Gants Hill and now live in South Woodford. Have you considered Highams Park/ Chingford. Much classier than Ilford, but cheaper than Wanstead.

[Rochon]

We have lived in Centreway Apartments in Ilford town center. A lot of highly educated Indian professionals live there and throughout Ilford. I found them to be very quiet, polite and freindly. I would say it is a very safe area compared to other areas of London, there are no gangs in Ilford. Apparently schools are good. It is very convenient for shops. I find the many Indian shops give it an interesting feel and we were never made to feel unwelcome anywhere we went, the opposite in fact. We have also lived in Newbury Park which is also safe but a bit quieter without as many shopping facilities. All this may not be your cup of tea but there is nothing to fear in Ilford

[Flagged]

I live in Ilford well just on the outside of it, Barkingside. I really don’t mind it at all! Lived round here my whole life and it’s close to the train for central London and it’s not the most amazing area but it’s still a good place to live!

[LucheroTena]

It’s gone downhill over the years and the town centre is run down and depressing. Shame as it used to be a nice area. The park and roads around it are still quite nice.

[peachypetite]

No, grim.