Living in Redbridge

Redbridge is an outer north-east London borough that ranges from busy town centres to leafy suburbs on the edge of Epping Forest. Ilford is its largest town and main shopping centre, while Wanstead, Woodford, South Woodford, Gants Hill, Barkingside and Hainault offer a mix of Victorian, interwar and post-war suburbs.

The borough has large South Asian, Jewish and Eastern European communities, and Ilford Lane and the surrounding streets are known for South Asian restaurants and shops. Wanstead, in the west, has a village-like high street, a large green and Wanstead Park's lakes and woodland, and Woodford borders Epping Forest's ancient woodland. Redbridge's grammar schools are highly sought after.

Green spaces include Valentines Park, Wanstead Flats on the borough's edge, Fairlop Waters, Hainault Forest Country Park and Epping Forest. The River Roding runs through the borough, with walking and cycling routes along parts of it.

The Central line serves Wanstead, Redbridge, Gants Hill, Barkingside and Hainault on its loop, as well as Snaresbrook, South Woodford and Woodford. The Elizabeth line serves Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath with fast trains to Liverpool Street and central London. The choice within the borough is usually between two kinds of place: leafy Central line villages such as Wanstead and Woodford, which cost more, and busier Elizabeth line towns such as Ilford and Seven Kings, which are cheaper and faster to the City. Barkingside and Hainault, on the Central line loop, are quieter and more suburban again.