Living in Newham

Newham is one of the youngest and most ethnically diverse boroughs in Britain, and it has changed faster than almost anywhere in London since the 2012 Olympic Games. It includes Stratford and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Royal Docks, Canning Town, West Ham, Forest Gate, East Ham and Upton Park.

The Olympic legacy transformed Stratford into a major centre for shopping, transport and new homes. The Royal Docks, in the south, has ExCeL London, London City Airport, the cable car across the Thames and the Crystal, which now houses London's City Hall. East Ham's Green Street and Queen's Market are known for South Asian food, fabrics and shops, and West Ham United now plays at the London Stadium in the Olympic Park.

The borough has significant deprivation alongside rapid regeneration, and many residents live in overcrowded or temporary housing, even as large new developments have been built. Its green spaces include the Olympic Park, West Ham Park, Wanstead Flats, Central Park in East Ham and the riverside at the Royal Docks.

Transport is extensive. Stratford is one of London's best-connected stations, the Elizabeth line serves Stratford, Maryland, Forest Gate, Manor Park and Custom House, the Jubilee line reaches Stratford, West Ham and Canning Town, and the DLR serves the Royal Docks and Beckton. The District and Hammersmith & City lines serve Upton Park and East Ham. Renters here usually get a newer flat and a faster commute for their money than in Hackney or Tower Hamlets, but should expect building sites, changing streets and neighbourhoods that look different every year.