to think we will be lucky to get out alive!

[slowlygoingmadinlondon]

Maybe that is abit of an overstatement...

AIBU to think Newham must be one of the worst places to live in the UK?

I cannot believe this will be what many people from all over the world will see of England in 2012.
Highest rate of TB in the country plus?
Crimes local to me in the recent past...

Armed police walking the streets looking for some fruit loop running around with knife after slashing ex throat at bus stop at 8am (lots of people around).
Bullet riddled car found abandoned.
Many many illegal immigrants freely working, driving, committing crime etc.
Trafficking gangs discussing business in local pubs.
Hoodies and thugs freely roaming the streets intimidating folk.
Local hospital filthy and run by idiots.
Local council run by idiots (got a mention on BBC breakfast news yesterday).
Local MP recently stabbed during his surgery.
Religious extremists preaching outside shopping centre.
People constantly spitting in the street.
Local tesco built next to sewage plant so strong stink of shit when doing the weekly shop .
So much benefit fraud the system cant cope .
The list goes on!!!!
Flame me if you like but this place is a dump and no amount of regeneration will change it!!
Cant wait to get out!!

DS only a few months old so no personal experience. But from what I have heard English is a second language in the primary school near me and the local secondary school has to have police by the gate on a morning and afternoon, I also think they have those scanner gate things that you walk under. Also if my experience at the local children?s centre is anything to go by then prob not too great!! (Went once but never again!).
And if they get a good ofsted report, it?s only because they are doing well at dealing with a bad situation rather than great education.

Well it doesn't sound very nice from your description. Not somewhere I have had the pleasure of visiting.

But the Discover centre is nice!

Though must admit that Stratford did feel a bit dodgy...

I'm lovely and I spent seven years living there. I even went to school in Newham and lived to tell the tale

ooooo forgot to mention the 15 and 16 year olds recently shot in the street by balaclava clad gunmen

dh went to school here and said it was not great back then but now its gone to pot. Most of his friends have moved out of the area.

It makes me laugh that Newham council motto is " a place where people choose to live, work and stay" when it should say, " a place where people only live because thay have to or because they dont now any better!"

My opinion.

or because they can stay under the radar of the system as the local authority are to overwhelmed to do anything.

know

I would go back to live there like a shot. Because we are abroad we can't (also can't afford the prices).
OTOH, I do understand the OP, I doubt my DH would be able to tolerate living there.