Once a rather run-down district of East London, Stratford has undergone a truly impressive transformation over the past few years.
Once an area where only the disadvantaged came to live, Stratford London is now a thriving hub within easy reach of the heart of the city.
Who would have thought when news of the 2012 London Olympics was posted that this up-and-coming neighbourhood would become one of the most popular places to live.
Thanks to this legacy, developments including the world-famous Westfield Shopping Centre have revitalised local high street retail while the London Aquatics Centre has given the E15 postcode a new lease of life. Meanwhile, the newly created E20 postcode is now one of the most desirable areas near central London.
Residents living in the houses and flats here can benefit from the extensive development in this part of the capital.
The wealth of restaurants and bars, entertainment facilities, retail outlets and outstanding local transport links that have led to property prices, whether for a house or a flat rising exponentially over the last decade.
Read this area guide and discover the top reasons to buy or rent property in Stratford London.
So, is Stratford a good place to live? In this article, you’ll discover:
- Houses And Flats In Stratford
- Transport Links
- Leisure Facilities In Stratford London
- Schools and Universities
- Shops, Bars and Restaurants
Houses And Flats In Stratford
A decade ago, most of Stratford’s properties were traditional terraces of houses and flats; however, over the past few years, more than 20,000 new properties have been constructed in the local area.
East Village, the former athletes’ village for the London Olympics, now consists of rental homes along with brand new cafes and shops.
Meanwhile, next to East Village and by the park, L&Q housing association has paired up with Taylor Wimpey to create Chobham Manor housing scheme.
Also on the park’s western edge, there are more new homes, making this local area the next big thing for property investors looking for rental buy to le and purchasers looking for a new family house or flat in East London.
The postcode E20 is a top place for people who prefer living in a new building. A new one bed flat here will cost around £450,000, a two bed flat will start at around £550,000, and a three bed apartment around £630,000, most of which share excellent facilities like roof gardens and gyms.
There are fewer newly built houses, but a 4 bed home in the Chobham Manor development has a price tag of about £850,000.
For people who like living in something a little more traditional, the 3-bed Victorian terraced homes in E15 sell for around £500,000.
They are the best choice for any prospective landlord looking for an investment or those who wish to buy a larger house at a fraction of the cost of those for sale in other areas within Transport for London’s Travel Zone 2.
Not all properties here are so expensive, though. There is much available to satisfy first-time buyers with affordable new homes and shared ownership schemes to choose from as well as new build rental homes in East Village proving a popular place to live with a wide range of people.
A three bedroom property here is available for rent at around £500 per week.
Over the next year or two, there is more development already in the pipeline in both the E15 and E20 postcodes.
More family homes are on the agenda to accommodate the needs of the large number of parents who wish to relocate here to take advantage of the high standards of education that the institutions in this area of London can offer their children of all ages.
Transport Links
Stratford London is located across travel zones 2 and 3, offering outstanding travel links into outer and inner London.
Sitting on both the Jubilee line and Central line, the area benefits from speedy underground connections providing those who need to get into Central London and the City with a direct service to the heart of Oxford Circus within just twenty minutes.
Travel to Canary Wharf or Liverpool Street Station can be done in less than ten minutes, ensuring that living in Stratford is convenient and well-connected no matter where you may be travelling to.
There are also excellent overground services to Islington and Highbury, while the DLR connects the area to South East London.
There is even a local train station (Stratford Station) that offers high-speed links direct to King’s Cross/St Pancras, connecting this thriving neighbourhood to the remainder of the country.
International travellers can benefit from National Express buses which link Stratford East directly to Stansted Airport with just a 50 minute travelling time for those going abroad.
Since it’s easy to get in and out of Stratford via various transportation methods, all of this adds up to it being one of the best options for commuters who want to enjoy a home life with a less frantic pace but within easy reach of work in the capital.
Leisure Facilities In Stratford London
Homes in Stratford East are well provided for in terms of leisure facilities. Perhaps the best known and most remarkable leisure venue in Stratford East is the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park development.
The biggest park to be opened anywhere in Europe within the past century and a half, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park gives visitors the chance to revel in the legacy of the world famous 2012 Olympics which were actually held right here.
The park is free to visit and contains parklands, playgrounds and waterways along with plenty of pretty areas where locals living nearby can take time out to relax and enjoy nature.
There are also many great former Olympic venues that share the grounds here in E20 such as the Copper Box Arena, London Aquatics Centre, London Stadium and Lee Valley VeloPark which are now used by the public to take part in many sporting activities.
Of course for fans of football, West Ham United are based in this part of the city, which makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to get closer to the football action.
Schools And Universities
Family homes here are really popular thanks to the many schools you can find in the local area. Stratford has more than 10 primary schools (including one that is so new that it even hasn’t had its first Ofsted inspection).
There are two other schools which offer all-through education (from early years to Year 13) as well as two secondary schools with an Outstanding Ofsted rating. There are three secondaries that are rated Good. Two highly rated sixth form colleges are also in the area.
The University of East London is also based here. This makes the areas close to the UEL campus extremely popular with student renters who rate Stratford highly as one of the top places to live for nightlife, culture and, of course, shopping thanks to the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre.
Shops, Bars and Restaurants
There is no shortage of retail therapy in Stratford. Once best known for West Ham United, this area is now better known for Westfield Stratford City – a new retail centre near Stratford Station.
This is one of the best places to get your hands on virtually anything you need to find and is the first choice of shoppers from not only Stratford but also the wider surrounding area.
However, it isn’t just about the modern, bright lights of Westfield. Stratford is also home to one of the most buzzing high street environments in the capital with market stalls and a vibrant community feel.
There are plenty of eateries and drinking spots here too. You’ll often find images posted on social media from the spectacular Barge East floating bar and restaurant while Old Stratford is home to traditional cafes and pubs.
In the modern East Village, new eating spots are regularly popping up, with three of the most popular being Mamalan, where Chinese street food is on offer, Tina, We Salute You (a lovely coffee shop) and La Gelateria where you can find amazing ice creams.
