Stoke Newington: London's hidden gem

Until recently Stoke Newington was a generally undiscovered area of North London. With only bus transport available to this slightly more obscure area of the city, it has often been overlooked by those wishing to live and work in the capital. Recent years has seen Stoke Newington become a bit more gentrified as more young families and professionals started to take up residence.

Located in the borough of Hackney, Stoke Newington is a vibrant hidden gem. With a lot of opportunities for shopping, a great sense of community and gorgeous Victorian terraces, it is a great place for those wishing to benefit from city living in a quiet location.

Part of the charm

Whilst the area used to embody what many people assume city living to be, a little rough, over the last couple of decades an influx of professional residents has led to the area reinventing itself. A host of independent retail and restaurant offerings have sprung up, catering to the tastes and requirements of the new breed of people that have chosen to make Stoke Newington their home.

Church Street is the main area for those wishing to support independent retailers and restaurateurs and there are plenty of different offerings to suit everyone's tastes. As well as the usual small retail units, wine bars and numerous eateries on this busy street, residents can benefit from a farmers market that is held there every Sunday. This market offers fresh local produce and is a must visit.

If that style of shopping and eating isn't for you, the high street, which joins onto Church Street, is host to your more conventional stores and pubs. The high street is great for getting hold of some of your more everyday items and clothing at very reasonable prices, while the pubs offer a friendly atmosphere with a fairly priced pint.

The high street also allows you to take your pick of some truly excellent Turkish cuisine, as a large number of restaurants can be found here, leading all the way down to Dalston. In short, there is no shortage of places to visit on an evening out and there are always plenty of options for great food.

A roof over your head

The majority of Stoke Newington is residential, perhaps part of the reason it has managed to stay so hidden, meaning that there are plenty of property types and sizes available. Another plus side to being a secret city gem is that prices are very fair. With the lack of a Tube station, rental costs have stayed down in comparison to other areas of the capital.

Stoke Newington boasts an impressive range of Victorian terraces, which offer fair sized houses for families. Flats and house shares are also available throughout the area, some in cheaper places than others. As people become more aware of what a great area it is to live in though, prices have begun to creep up. Meaning that if you are looking for houses to rent in London, it is best that you snap one up in Stoke Newington at the earliest opportunity.

Published 26th September, 2013

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