Forum

East London - UK

Moving to (East London) UK

Contribute to the community by sharing information to help the Desi community connect and support one another. Provide details about apartments where the Desi community resides. Answer questions from those moving here for work, school, or other reasons. Share information about areas or buildings with a significant Desi population, including rent costs, utilities included, accessibility, availability of laundry facilities, and other relevant details. Note: This section is not for posting apartments for rent—please use the classifieds section for that. The goal is to offer guidance and answer questions for people planning to move to this area.

 

1. South Asian Community

• Predominantly Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani communities, with smaller populations of Sri Lankans and Nepalese.

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2. South Asian Areas

• Tower Hamlets: Large Bangladeshi community, particularly in Whitechapel and Brick Lane.
• Newham: Mixed South Asian population, including Indian and Pakistani.
• Ilford (Redbridge): Predominantly Indian and Pakistani families.
• East Ham: Strong Indian and Tamil presence.
• Leyton and Walthamstow: Mixed South Asian communities.

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3. South Asian Main Market Areas

• Brick Lane (Tower Hamlets): Famous for Bangladeshi cuisine, clothing, and cultural shops.
• Green Street (Newham): Known for Indian and Pakistani shops, jewelry, and restaurants.
• Ilford Lane (Redbridge): A hub for Indian and Pakistani groceries, clothing, and restaurants.

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4. South Asian Grocery Stores

• Tayyabs Halal Supermarket (Whitechapel): Bangladeshi and Pakistani products.
• Spices Village (Ilford Lane): Indian and Pakistani spices and fresh produce.
• East Ham Market Hall (East Ham): Indian and Sri Lankan groceries.
• Pak Foods (Green Street): Wide selection of South Asian ingredients.
• Sahara Cash & Carry (Walthamstow): Popular among the Indian and Bangladeshi communities.

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5. Transportation

• Tube Lines:

  • Central Line: Serves Ilford, Stratford, and Leyton.
  • District Line: Covers East Ham and Upton Park.
  • Jubilee Line: Connects Stratford to central London.

• Buses: Extensive bus routes connecting South Asian areas to other parts of London.

• Elizabeth Line (Crossrail): Convenient for commuting from Ilford and Stratford.

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6. Religious Places

• Temples:

  • Shri Nathji Mandir (Upton Park): Popular Hindu temple.
  • East Ham Murugan Temple (East Ham): Tamil community hub.

• Gurdwaras:

  • Singh Sabha London East (Seven Kings).
  • Gurdwara Sikh Sangat (Leytonstone).

• Mosques:

  • East London Mosque (Whitechapel): One of the largest in the UK.
  • Masjid-E-Umer (Walthamstow).

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7. Cost of Living in East London

• Rent:

  • 1-bedroom apartment: £1,200–£1,500 per month.
  • 2-bedroom apartment: £1,500–£2,000 per month.

• Utilities: Around £150–£200 per month for electricity, gas, and water.

• Transportation:

  • Monthly Travelcard (Zone 1-4): £200.

• Groceries: Affordable in South Asian markets, with weekly costs ranging from £50–£100 per family.

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8. Best Public Schools in South Asian Areas

Elementary Schools:

• Mayflower Primary School (Tower Hamlets): High-performing school in a diverse area.
• Winston Way Primary School (Ilford): Popular among South Asian families.
• St. Stephen's Primary School (Newham): Excellent ratings and diverse student body.

Middle Schools:

• Plashet School (Newham): Known for academic success and inclusivity.
• Wanstead High School (Redbridge): Popular in Ilford and Wanstead areas.
• Leytonstone School (Leytonstone): Offers strong academic programs.

High Schools:

• Langdon Academy (Newham): Well-regarded for academics and extracurricular activities.
• Seven Kings School (Ilford): Highly rated among South Asian families.
• Mulberry Academy Shoreditch (Tower Hamlets): Offers excellent academic programs in a multicultural setting.