Let’s move to: Haggerston, east London
This article titled “Let’s move to: Haggerston, east London” was written by Tom Dyckhoff, for The Guardian on Friday 29th April 2011 23.02 UTC
What’s going for it? Now that Dalston is practically Knightsbridge, where is an aspiring hipster to lay down his or her bowler hat (trilbys are so 2005)? Haggerston has a modish and affordable in-between-ness. It’s not quite anywhere. It has a name, a park and a new station on the London Overground. But no centre, really. It’s essentially cobbled together from the leftover streets discarded by its more illustrious neighbours. West, De Beauvoir Town; north, Dalston. South, Shoreditch and Hoxton went fancy years ago; even Hackney out east has acquired delusions. Who cares? Because look carefully for a home in-between (a street here or there makes all the difference), and you can be walking distance from the delights of all of them – artisan bread and attitude on Broadway Market, the brilliant London Fields Lido, catfish on Ridley Road Market.
The case against Dark alleys and dubious streets. There’s a strong community, but some might miss the lack of a centre. The pretensions of Broadway Market might drive some to insanity.
Well connected? And lo! The London Overground line did arrive, transporting you north to Highbury & Islington, and tube connections. Copious buses ply Kingsland Road, Dalston Lane, Mare Street.
Schools Primaries: Gayhurst Community, Randal Cremer, Sebright are all “good”, says Ofsted, with London Fields zooming up recently to join them; Queensbridge is “good” with “outstanding aspects”. Secondaries: Haggerston School and Hackney Free & Parochial CofE are both “satisfactory” but greatly “improving”.
Hang out at… Broadway Market, natch, in one of the cafes with too-cool-for-school-or-smiles staff. Or have a nice time and go to the Dove.
Where to buy A mix of delicious early Victorian streets and pre- and postwar housing estates. The rack of streets off Queensbridge Road (Richmond, Middleton et al) are the plum spots, though there’s some interesting property down back alleys. There’s been loads of property speculation, especially along the canal and the London Overground line: mixed bag, though some, like Adelaide Wharf, are lovely.
Market values One-bed flats, from £115,000 for ex council, from £180,000 for period conversions/new builds; two-beds, from £160,000 for ex-council, £250,00 for period conversions/new builds; three-, from £200,000 and £350,000 respectively. Terraces: three beds, from £550,000.
Bargain of the week Four-bed 1960s terrace house on Albion Drive with a nice back garden, needs modernising; £499,995, with Keatons.
From the streets
Sue Wardell “Haggerston Park is a walled haven, away from the overpeopled London Fields.”
Danielle Goldstein “I live in De Beauvoir Town, close to Haggerston station and the canal. I can walk to Angel, Camden, Victoria Park, and avoid the traffic and crowds.”
Kathy Benyon “A truly magnificent Moscow underground-style London Overground station means we’re now wonderfully connected – four stops to Kings Cross via Highbury & Islington. Near the action, but not in the action.”
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