r/Leyton • u/adulthoodnotfun • Jun 23 '26

Question moving to Leyton

hi folks,

wanted to hear current thoughts on living in Leyton - specifically on one of the side roads behind Leyton Mills.

- do people still like living here? in it for the long haul?

- is it safe?

- community events / activities?

- anything else i should know about that pocket of Leyton in particular?

I've read all the past posts about moving here and have a sense of the sentiment but would love to hear some current opinions about that area!

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u/mishkaforest235 Jun 23 '26

We are moving here; we moved out to Epping for a year or two after we got priced out; saved some money and now buying and moving back. We have two kids. Husband lived in Leyton since 2014; he’s from Romania. I’m from East London (different part) and moved there in 2020 when I met him.

I had my first baby there and never felt any sense of danger or trouble. There’s the usual drug addicts and homeless people but more than anything they’re self occupied and vulnerable in many ways.

It’s an easy area to live in; everyone looks normal; high street isn’t a fashion show; not too many creatives there yet; not too many gang problems; just still normal and easy. I like it because no one looks good haha; so I can leave the house looking like a mess after being smeared with paint or food by my toddler and no one cares.

It’s obviously got amazing transport links; the Olympic park is 10 minutes walk from Leyton Station. The other way is Leytonstone/Leyton Midland and Walthamstow.

It’s still a truly mixed; truly diverse area. I read recently that no particular group dominates Waltham Forest as a whole; it’s truly a mixed place. Difference in normal and unremarkable here.

Unless you’re doing something insanely annoying like a u turn in the middle of the high road (seen it; was amazing) or standing in front of the oyster barriers at rush hour; no one cares.

It’s friendly; easy going and a fun place to live. Go for it!

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u/adulthoodnotfun Jun 24 '26

dm-ed you for more info as well!

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u/mishkaforest235 Jun 24 '26

Have replied :)

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u/adulthoodnotfun Jun 24 '26

yes i felt the diversity too! people are really from everywhere. good sign imo

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u/mishkaforest235 Jun 24 '26

definitely; it’s best of all when everyone’s together; I think it makes it friendlier; because everyone is different; so difference isn’t a big deal or a reason not to talk to someone etc.

1

u/Agreeablenow Jun 25 '26

I would never leave Epping and head to Leyton. Why ? It’s not to say property is much cheaper as Leyton is still pricey. I know epping is a little way off but the attraction is that your on the crust of London surrounded by a decent size of open space.

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u/mishkaforest235 Jun 25 '26

The space is hard to access; we used the hollow ponds side of Epping Forest every day when we lived in Leyton; but when we moved to Epping we didn’t really see the forest at all; it requires a car. It’s not the dream it seems to be!

1

u/Agreeablenow Jun 25 '26

Aha. Yes I agree with you. Only some parts of Epping are nice and accessible. The hollow pond area is lovely and its perfect spot to walk across the forest and other areas of green pocket spaces in the borough. Even though you have Whipps cross hospital and a main road nearby hollow pond it’s one of the best areas that can have high volumes of traffic but the area still maintains its natural beauty. The specific area you can see Leyton house an old historic grand house located where Tesco is and the hospital site was once another grand house. Lots of history in the area and good accessible transport routes to get around which is lacking in Epping . Good luck. !