What's it like to live in Walthamstow?

[RookSoup]

Dh and I like visiting Walthamstow, especially the area around the village part. But what's it like to actually live there? What's the community like?

I have been in e17 for 11.5 years now and love it. It’s such a lovely community, the town hall and fountains development is brilliant, new soho theatre on its way, lots of brilliant cultural things happening, decent places to eat, 20 mins into town and Epping forest on the doorstep. Obviously it has its big city stuff too - too many cars, bit of grime and anti social behaviour, but can honestly say it hasn’t impacted on my enjoyment of living here. My kid is at primary school, I have a dog and a business there and I know so many lovely people as a result of those 3 factors. I see people I know every time I leave the house but of course, it being london, if I’m not in the mood to chat, I don’t and nobody cares. Community without parochialism. Love it.

My son's just moved to "the village" and is very happy there. It's a peaceful and cosy bubble in the middle of a fairly vibrant urban sprawl. It seems like a young 30-something family oriented community, and when we went to the local pub for a meal, the (very young) children seemed to outnumber the adults - not sure if this is usual though! The parents all seemed to know each other. With lots of people now working from home, there's more opportunities for communities to become closer again I imagine.

I've been there for 35 years now (eek) and I love it. We recently moved house and I was worried we might end up further out but we've managed to stay.
It has a real small town community feel, IMO.
The transport links are fantastic, the Victoria Line is very dependable and it's 20 minutes into Liverpool Street on the Overground.
Epping Forest is right there. I don't think I really appreciated how close it was until lockdown and our daily walks.
also right on the North Circular, the M25 and the M11 so getting away is east too.

Earlier this year i did a 10 week beginners gardening course at the local church, and yesterday I joined a choir!