Does anyone here live in Hornchurch/Elm Park?

DonGotti

I'm looking to move to a nicer part near east London, and the houses in Elm Park/Hornchurch seem lovely and relatively reasonably priced being close to the tube stations. However a few people I have spoken to have stated that it is quite aarea?

I know the area isn't very ethnically diverse, but are the things I'm hearing true? Anyone from these areas that can advise?

Neoneo

The problem with the area isn't racism, it's that a lot of residents from Ilford and around them areas travel to Romford and hornchurch and cause problems. There has been race wars and all sorts at local colleges (the reason they go to them as they are the nearest good colleges). But generally the areas are safe and i certainly wouldn't say they are racist areas.

Hornchurch and Elm Park are lovely areas though, you won't see much trouble at all and they have great transport links into london.

lotusflower_2

My OH grew up in Hornchurch and would say that it is racist - he's Asian.

rach29

I think "race wars" is putting it a bit strongly There was one incident.

This is the court report after the fact :

[text removed by MSE Forum Team]

It is true that there is a high percentage of black & asian students at Havering Sixth form college (in contrast with the local area). It offers far better results and facilities than colleges in Barking & Dagenham & Ilford and, therefore the brightest students from those areas often apply. The above mentioned incident happened 2 years ago and I have heard no reports of any problems since.

As for Hornchurch, Elm Park and the surrounding areas it is fair to say that they are less ethnically diverse than areas such as Ilford or Barking, however I am not aware of any particular racial sensitivities and I have lived and worked in the area all my life.

You may wish to speak to people from within the ethnic community to discover wether there are any issues however. They would be the best people to comment.

DonGotti

Thanks a lot all.

rach29 - very true, but unfortunately I don't know anyone that lives in the area. The houses there seem lovely and the area scores really well on uklocalarea.com, so much better than where I am the moment!

lotusflower - what sort of problems did your partner experience?

rach29

If this helps at all, here are the local Demographics for Hornchurch/Upminster

Housing: Owner-Occupied: 78.1%, Social Housing: 16.2%, Privately Rented: 4.1%, Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 5.0%
Education: Full time students: 2.2%, Graduates 16-74: 12.5%, No Qualifications 16-74: 31.9%
Ethnicity: Born outside UK: 5.2%, White: 95.8%, Black: 1.0%, Asian: 1.7%, Mixed: 0.9%, Other: 0.6%
Faith: Christian: 76.5%, Hindu: 0.8%, Muslim: 0.8%
Gender: Male: 47.8%, Female: 52.2%
Age: Under 18: 21.9%, Over 60: 24.4%

22225

by the way, i think there are better and worse parts of hornchurch. I've heard that south hornchurch is not as nice ( i could be wrong) and elm park is quite near to dagenham and a bit less nice than hornchurch? with hornchurch you get some nice restaurants eg zizzi's and prezzos and some bars. it's still very "essexy" (no offense, sorry).
i have heard things about gangs coming more and more to "nicer" places and causing trouble but i think it's happening everywhere. have you also seen gidea park? what about wanstead/woodford?

DonGotti

Wanstead and Woodford are quite expensive. Both Elm Park and Hornchurch have pleasant surroundings than Manor Park! A lot better. And you can get a 3 bed semi for around £200k. A 3 bed terraced in Barking would be about £230k. And the latter are horrible in my opinion.

I think most areas have problems with idiotic gangs, but the lack of ethnic diversity in EP and Hornchurch does concern me. I may go and visit EP soon just to get a feel for the area.

muskoka

Ok I know Hornchurch very well. Avoid Elm Park (bit rough)and South Hornchurch and you'll be fine. Not sure about rascist. I'm white.

DonGotti

Thanks muskoka. The houses near Elm Park tube (Elm Park Avenue, Diban Avenue) seem really nice so that's a shame. I'll go and look around Hornchurch soon.

ERICS_MUM

What about places such as Gants Hill, Barkingside, Hainault ? There are some nice houses and I think there is a cross section of ethnicities, although I have no idea if they all live "in harmony" if you know what I mean. All 3 are on the Central line.

Or Seven Kings/Goodmayes/Chadwell Heath ? It's worthwhile having a walk or drive around these areas at different times of day - e.g. Friday night (trouble outside pubs, clubs, take aways etc ??) , Saturday afternoons -groups of youths in shopping centres etc). No tube line but easy british rail into Liverpool St.

Good luck in your search, I know those areas quite well and I know what issues you might face if you don't happen to find the "right" area.

Linda xx