East London’s been getting a bit of a bad rep recently. Yeah, there’s plenty of bespectled hipsters, wannabe trendsetters and unsigned indie kids floating around, but all that said, it’s still a great place to live. Here are five reasons why I genuinely love East London:
1) It’s the best place to be in the summer…
There is a surprising amount of green open space out east. Super cool London Fields is great for a BBQ and has an Olympic sized 50m Lido pool (!); Victoria Park plays host to the Lovebox and Field Day music festivals and the lesser known, serenely peaceful Hollow Ponds in Leytonstone has a beautiful lake on which you can hire a boat for an hour. But there are little pockets of green everywhere in this area: don’t just take my word for it… get out and explore!
2) You don’t need to have much money…
…to go shopping. In keeping with its inhabitants’ self sufficient DIY approach, there are markets all over where you can find quality vintage garb as well as food, jewellery and furnishings. From Columbia Road Flower Market and Broadway Market (mainly food) to Spitalfields and the markets of Brick Lane (Backyard and Sunday Upmarket - great for one-off and vintage clothing), you’re sure to find something interesting and unique and have a bit of fun in the process.
3) Two words: Brick Lane…
…or in other words: the place for fans of culturally eclectic cuisine…! From the curries of the famous Brick Lane itself to the cottage-industry style food courts alongside it – serving up everything from Moroccan, Spanish and Japanese morsels to Thai and Caribbean dishes - you don’t have to travel far for some tasty and inexpensive food with a homecooked touch. All the world’s flavours in one place. Not to mention a great atmosphere on the weekends.
4) It’s a creative and cultural place…
East London is filled with art and artists: home to the cutting edge Whitechapel Gallery in Aldgate East and White Cube Hoxton Square, there are also hundreds of smaller independent galleries showcasing the work of up and coming artists and designers. Not forgetting some quirky museums, including the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green and Hackney’s very own museum, which contains a miniature 38 bus and an Eel & Pie Shop amongst other strange delights!
5) It’s good for an unusual night out…
Whether you’re a fan of Stoke-Newington, Dalston or Shoreditch, there is a nightlife area here for everyone. Many entrepreneurial and creative spirits and art collectives have set up their own idiosyncratic nights, successfully mixing music with other elements such as art, performance, fashion - even make-and-do! Passing Clouds, The Book Club – which hosts regular life drawing classes and make-and-do session ‘Come Get Felt Up!’ - and Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club all come highly recommended for some distinctly different fun.
Shout out to the east end massive: I wouldn’t live anywhere else. Yezzir. (Words: Aoife Moriarty)
