7 Reasons to Live in Bethnal Green

Bethnal Green is something of a unicorn. It represents something many Londoners don’t even believe exists; an affordable area in East London with strong transport links to the city, and a plethora of restaurants, bars and recreation spaces.

The area, situated in the heart of East London, has seen a huge investment boost, but it hasn’t lost its charm. It has kept its best asset: its vibrant mix of people and cultures.

  1. Strong transport links

Just a stone’s throw from Shoreditch in the hub of E2, Bethnal Green boasts excellent transport links. Bethnal Green Station is located on the Central Line, connecting it to Central and West London, including Oxford Circus and Notting Hill Gate.

  1. The mix of people

Few places in London have as diverse a selection of inhabitants as Bethnal Green. Students rub shoulders with hipsters, artists, and young professionals. Its melting-pot feel gives Bethnal Green an allure like nowhere else in London.

  1. The excellent schools

Bethnal Green has become a favourite for young families as it hosts Morpeth and Oaklands secondary schools, both with “outstanding” OFSTED ratings. In the way of primary schools, Bonner and St Elizabeth Catholic School are also two local gems.

  1. It’s affordable

Property prices and rentals in Bethnal Green are more affordable than the surrounding areas. The average rental price in Bethnal Green is lower than the London average, and far cheaper than neighbouring Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Dalston, Spitalfields and Hackney.

  1. The diverse food options

Bethnal Green has exploded into something of a gastronomic paradise. Everything from fine-dining European cuisine, traditional English pub food, South Asian restaurants, Korean barbecue, and Ethiopian holes-in-wall can be found in Bethnal Green. London’s iconic Brick Lane is also just a short walk from the area, offering the best Indian cuisine London has to offer on its doorstep.

  1. The Sunday flower market

Every Sunday from 8am until 3pm, the street undergoes a transformation as the weekly flower market descends on Columbia Road. A real sensory feast, the explosions of colour and sweet aromas leave visitors thoroughly delighted, and for an added extra, try London’s best coffee at Gwilym Davies’ coffee cart. You will find him serving cappuccinos from his small cart at the flower market most Sundays.

  1. London’s first cat café

Bethnal Green is home to London’s first cat café. You can find Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium on Bethnal Green Road, where rescued cats provide the perfect companions to good coffee and a peaceful atmosphere.

There are countless reasons to live in Bethnal Green. Many people move to the area for tangible and practical reasons, like good schools and strong transport links. But it is the intangible reasons that keep people there, the welcoming sense of community, the vibrant atmosphere, and the friendliness of the locals.