Buying in Shadwell

Wantaflat

BenjiM, how did/are you getting on? I am in the exact same situation to you, very close to buying at the end of Cable Street, actually closer to Limehouse station but still walking distance from Shadwell especially for overground. It's an ex-council flat I'm close to getting. I have been thinking the same things discussed here; the proportion of council housing (unsure what % are these days privately owned) and the strong religious community/identity of the area. Never been to Watney Street but I've just come to the conclusion that the area's proximity to the river, Tower Hill, Whitechapel's Crossrail station in five years and London's key business districts have got to see it developed for the better, not for the worse. If I'm being a foolish optimist anyone is welcome to save me from a bad decision!

I have been in the area (using Shadwell station, walking all the way from there to the end of Cable Street and back) at 9pm and afternoon on a week day, and weekend afternoons and found it really quiet...people just going about minding their own businesses, not much trouble in sight... I'd be curious to know how you get on!

Annisele

Some friends of mine moved out of a flat in Shadwell a year or so ago, mainly because of the crime.

They could cope with people urinating in the stairwells (CCTV showed the culprits didn't live in the flats; never did work out how they got into the supposedly secure block). There were other low level bits and bobs that never really got beyond irritating, but then they had a couple of incidents of arson on the ground floor. Only small fires, but properly bothered them.

I've lived in a few areas of east London myself (still do), but I've never had the problems they did. They might just have been unlucky, but I do think there's a reason Shadwell's cheap.

time2deal

I used to live in Whitechapel, and would walk through Shadwell when I walked home from Canary Wharf, and I would do what I could to avoid it at night. I find the area directly around the station to be quite intimidating at times, although I do think it is improving.

But, I do think when you live somewhere it gets less intimidating generally as you start to see that not every young man is threatening, and most of the kids barely even notice you. Just be relaxed and confident.

I lived close to the Mosque, and I actually found it quite nice. Most of the people attending are families and older people, who don't tolerate kids hanging around. There are incidents, but that area north of Commercial road does seem to be improving, perhaps because, as the poster above says, there aren't so many old council blocks, just warehouses etc that can be renovated.

I do think that eventually the area has to improve, as it is an amazing location for city and canary wharf - but you may need to be in it for the long haul.

Morganarla

It's an absolute shoite hole. Don't wast your money.

charliexyz

I've been walking down Cable street for about 10 years now (I use the East London Line and get off at Shadwell) and have witnessed loads, nothing out of the ordinary for London though. Generally I think the area is on the up, although agree it will be a long time before it is gentrified and all that.

Personally I would try to live towards the Tower Hill end of Cable Street, closer to Waitrose/Wilton's Music Hall/Aldgate East redeveloment, where you (or your investment) may benefit from the redevelopment of the News International site. Although I suspect that is the pricier end.