Tower Hamlets London

I'm looking at taking a job in Bow Road. What's the area like? Is is safe for a single middle aged woman? Is accomodation plentiful and reasonablly priced - either in the area or nearby?

You will find neither plentiful or reasonably priced accomodation anywere in London

I live in this area. Whilst the area isn't as clean and leafy as some of the areas in North London it's not too bad, my biggest issue is there is not enough nice pubs in the area to have a drink or eat at on the weekends!!! My g/f and I have lived in the same area for the last 2 1/2 years and crime has never been a problem for us personally although we do see police notices asking for witnesses to muggings from time to time, just need to keep your wits about you, more so late at night - generally speaking no-one really bothers anyone.

North of Bow Road (close to Bow Church area) is quite close to Victoria Park, I'd choose this area to live in personally. Vic Park is good in the summer for park activities or exercising, they have football fields, cricket pitches, tennis courts and other various large park areas to chill out in. There are also a few large concerts during the summer free/ticketed. Close by Vic Park is Roman Rd markets which is quite well known, great if you want to pick-up some cheap factory outlet clothing, etc. If you like to ride a bike, you can ride along the canal that borders Vic Park to Regent's Canal and go all the way up to Camden Market in about an hour. You can also ride the other direction (East, then North) out where you can get out to Epping Forest which is also about an hour.

There are a few new property developments that have sprung up in the last 12 months near-by Roman Rd, nice modern places with security - Tredegar Rd I think it is. There is also a well known appartment complex called "Bow Quarter" which is a nice complex/gated community in an old converted matchbox factory. It's a little difficult to get rentals in there because it so sought after, and rent is quite steep (£280-320 for 2 bedroom) - but the facilities are excellent (free - pool, sauna, steam room, gym, bar/restaurant, security, grocery store).

Transport connections are pretty good, you can get the DLR to Canary Wharf where there is a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, etc and also a connections to the Jubilee Line. The District Line is the major transport connection to central London and it takes 30 minutes to get into Westminster, it's slow but pretty reliable, it's one of my favourite lines because it's better ventilated than many of the lines and I almost always get seat! There is also the Central Line one stop from Bow Road station (Mile End Station) which'll get you into Oxford St in about 20 minutes. Costs for a ticket per month Zone 2 to 1 is about £90. There are also bus connections that run along Bow Road into the city, #25 will take you straight to Oxford St.

Connections to air travel are a bit of a pain if you need to get to Heathrow (1.5 hour tube trip), but we normally opt to fly out of Stansted which is much easier to get to.

HTH - Cheers