Victoria Park Village

[JacquesHarlow]

Dear Mumsnet

AIBU (haha) to consider moving to this place?

Since I last posted in Property about destinations, a lot has sadly changed in my life.

My #1 favourite place I've visited in London in the last 5 or so years is Victoria Park, and the so-called "village" area around Lauriston Road.

I don't have any friends in that exact area to ask how it is, but does anyone either live there, or know about life there? I'm looking at a place which would be just off Victoria Park Road, a two minutes walk max to the main shops and restaurants.

Is it safe there?

I have two young girls who will be with me most of the time. I am mixed race if that even matters. Will we get harassed by 'the yout dem' in Victoria Park for example, or walking about our business?

Also please - if you're comfortable enough to call bits of London "Stokey" or "Awesomestow", and you already know everything there is to know about London, then please don't come on here and insult me for being a bit green and not knowing this area, or asking 'pearl clutching' questions. If I was looking for a Waitrose I'd move to Crouch End or the like.

I know the proposition of VPV, I'm just curious to know what life is actually like there especially for young women and their mother, if we're to be alone etc.

Thank you in advance.

Know the area well as my ex had a flat there and so i stayed over a lot. It's one of the most diverse areas in London so no issue with racism towards the mixed race. It's also one of the safer parts of East London. Newham and Hackney are far more violent/stabby because gang activity there is more prevalent. Tower Hamlets where Victoria Park and surrounds is, is is not so bad. Never felt unsafe walking around and I'd often go running early morning 7 am or come back alone from nights out very late, past midnight sometimes. There's a lot of young solo women out and about most times of day. And also lots of families. Good amenities, restaurants, pubs, cafes - obv Victoria Park but also the canals that are lovely to run/walk/cycle (avoid those after sunset - not dangerous but canals/parks in general avoid after dark).

Regarding your children - as long as they avoid hanging around the streets near the big estates (not that they would), they'll be fine. I've never seen youths harass anyone in Victoria Park because it's always pretty crowded and popular with groups of yuppies (keep the gangs away). Natural precautions you'd take anywhere in London. Good luck!

I'm South Asian for context btw.

I’ve lived elsewhere in Hackney (Clapton, London Fields) and Newham and have spent a lot of time in VPV - I’d say it’s the safest of all of those areas. Definitely very mixed demographic as with most areas in London from millionaires to council flats and everything in between, and very mixed racially.

I love the park and would love to live there.

Well I live in ‘awesomestow’ and I’d live in Victoria Village.

I've lived in Tower Hamlets (E1) for 20+ years and go to the park a LOT. It's a lovely area. Very mixed, very relaxed, great for families (of all colours, shapes and sizes). My cousin and his partner and their 5 year old live in a flat overlooking the park and they love it.

No problems as a lone woman there, and very child friendly.

It's a lovely area as far as I can tell. My daughter lives in London but not Victoria Park, she couldn't afford it. We do visit the area for little trips though and I think Victoria park village would be a great place to live.

I lived there for a while and loved it. I used to walk round the park alone regularly and never once felt unsafe.

I lived nearby for 20yrs and never felt unsafe. Its diverse, so I can't see being mixed race an issue at all. I'm not sure what 'the yout dem' in Victoria Park means? Is this a saying or a misspelling of something else???

Regents canal is lovely to walk along, right to limehouse or the other way to Islington (and further). The park is great, except when they have large festivals and large parks are boarded up. The cemetery park used to have a festival every year, and interactive foraging and kids activities. https://fothcp.org/ The childrens museum in Bethnal Green is also nearby and free. https://www.vam.ac.uk/young

VPV always felt like yummy mummies having meet ups with their babies or young single people. To me, it felt far less families and older people- but mainly because they weren't hanging out at the pub/restaurants I was in, or walking around the park.

The only downside I recall was limited grocery shops nearby and expensive. Late night off licenses and organic veg type shops. I can't recall any supermarket larger than an express, little shop. If you are happy to travel or get home delivery, then that isnt a problem.

I lived around there about 18 years ago when I was mid late 20s and bloomin loved it.

I can't recall any supermarket larger than an express, little shop.

There's a decent size Tesco about 5 mins walk north on Well St (and a few extra mins on to Lidl), and another one a further 5-10 mins walk in Hackney 'proper'.

This is supremely helpful - really appreciate this!

Also sorry for my silliness - "the yout dem" was me leaning on my father's Caribbean language - it just means "youth". :-)

I understood you OP, don’t worry!

I lived just through the park on the BG side for ten years and it’s the happiest place I ever lived. We moved out a bit further to buy a house but still dream of moving back. Friends are still there, we all have teenage girls and they regularly go out in VP on their own (mine even go up there to meet after school).

It’s my absolute favourite place, move there at once 😂

I live right by VP (south of the park) and love it here. No problem at all with being mixed-race, or walking alone. The park is fab and has a happy feel - would 100% recommend.

I live not far from VP at all and spend a lot of time around there. Lovely, lovely place to live!

I could have written this post. I lived around there for years and loved it. I'd move back in a heartbeat but DH prefers living outside London.

It is diverse in every way - socially, culturally, racially. VP is so beautiful - great for families, and feels safe, especially at that end of it. And Hackney, London Fields, Bethnal Green are all in easy reach for great markets, cafes, museums and galleries, including the brilliant V&A childhood museum.