East London

[SlimX]

We are thinking of buying in Bow. Have six month old. Would be really handy for both parents for work (although I'm not due back for a few months yet). Anyone have experience of the area? Tregegar Sq. area? Would be much appreciated...

We used to live in Tredegar Road a few years ago and loved it. But, this was pre DD, so I wouldn't like it so much now, as there weren't any shops etc. Then moved a mile north to Victoria Park which was much nicer all round - lovely park, shops, village atmosphere etc. No tube, but lots of buses. And cheap in a cab back from the city as well. Would you think about living closer to the park?

Yes. The park itself looks great and also the 'village' and facilities there do appeal a lot. But would mean short bus ride instead of walk to work / tube, I suppose. Maybe worth it? Not sure!

I used to live in Southborough Road in Victoria Park and it took 45 minutes to walk to Moorgate, which I prefered to the bus as at least you knew exactly how long it was going to take! Does this help? There was always rumours about getting a tube line as well....not sure if this has come to anything yet.

It might depend on how much you use public transport or a car with your DC and what sort of things you do at weekends. Around the park there are more things to do that could be walked to, and cycle trails along the canal etc, but if you don't mind always having to go somewhere else for entertainment, then maybe Bow would be good

Boringly - have you thought about nurseries and/or primary schools? There used to only be a few good ones around Bow/Vicy Park, so might be worth thinking about these now as well.

Having lived in Limehouse, Whitechapel. Bow and Victoria Park in the last 10 years (before moving out into the countryside) I would recommend Victoria Park only out of all those. Buses are much nicer than tubes anyway!

Or London Fields - also nicer than Bow in terms of park and amenities and there is also the overground plus a tube coming...

Yes, London Fields lovely - I remember the put on the park there well!

Can find a decent primary school in either London Fields or V Park. Maybe I am being unfair but always find Bow a bit grim.

Pub on park, not put!

Bow hasn't really got a centre though has it, no village or focal point. So when I think about it I end up thinking about Mile End Road, which is grim. We used to live in Tredegar Road, which has the railway line at the back, and a ratrun for emergency vehicles at the front. But the square is much nicer. And having 3 tube lines and the DLR within spitting distance was so worth it back in the days when I used to actually leave the house occasionally!

I live in Poplar/Bow area and am selling my beautiful flat

I admit its not the best for schools etc unless you want to pay for private education, but where we are is brilliant for getting into the city or wharf. DLR, bus and tube lines all within walking distance and I walk reg into canary wharf takes 20mins.

Had a fried who lived in Tredegar Sq and another who still lives near there. It is nice but not many amenities, apart from Mile End Leisure Centre just down the road, which is new and great. Victoria Park is lovely but have had friends move out of there recently due to mugging. I lived in Wapping and loved it, and was surprised by how baby friendly it actually was.