Bethnal Green

[hipipol]

Vallance Road

Where the Krays grew up
Been knocked down now

Theres a sort of scrubby park on it now too, which wasn't there back in the day
The woman who used to clean the office I worked in 15 years ago said grew up with the Krays, they lived 2 doors down. I didn't believe her at first, then she brought her picture album in - fuck me I was totally wrong, there she is in old black and white pics, posing ont he bonnet of one thems cars - I could never remember which twin was which, standing on the doorstep, opened straight onto a narrow pavement, talking to them and their Mum.

I liked Jean, her funeral was amazing, proper black horses on the hearse and stuff, 11 years ago now. Doubt I'll ever know anyone like her again

 

[Yelkcub]

Bethnal Green's cool.

The Camel does good pies. The Florist on the same road is ok too. The Star of Bethnal Green has some good stuff (I'm a little biased on this last one as my mate owns it).

My only negative is wouldn't want any female friend of mine walking too far from the tube late night. My perception that it could be dangerous may be unfounded, but I'd still worry.

Oh and if all that Krays stuff floats your boat, their regular cafe haunt Pelucci (or similar) is still there

 

[5t3IIa]

Bethnal Green's cool.

The Camel does good pies. The Florist on the same road is ok too. The Star of Bethnal Green has some good stuff (I'm a little biased on this last one as my mate owns it).

My only negative is wouldn't want any female friend of mine walking too far from the tube late night. My perception that it could be dangerous may be unfounded, but I'd still worry.

Oh and if all that Krays stuff floats your boat, their regular cafe haunt Pelucci (or similar) is still there

I walk from the tube all the time and have never had any problems or felt the least bit intimidated by my surroundings after the first couple of weeks.

It's like most places: as soon as you live there and it's familiar it's not scary at all

 

[dynamicbaddog]

I don't live there but I like the place a lot and often ride my bike over Tower Bridge and explore round there - good markets and places for food, Victoria Park is ace plus you have the advantage of being not far from the river which is handy for nice scenic walks etc

 

[T.H.R]

I walk from the tube all the time and have never had any problems or felt the least bit intimidated by my surroundings after the first couple of weeks.

It's like most places: as soon as you live there and it's familiar it's not scary at all

Yeah, to be honest we're moving from Brixton area and I didn't think it could be much worse than round here, even though Brixton is not as bad as people seem to think.

I feel safe in Brixton, Camberwell, and Elephant, yet people who've never lived round these parts think they are dangerous slums. Maybe it's mostly scaremongering.

 

[Upchuck]

Bethnal Green's a fucken hole.

 

[hipipol]

TBH honest I am never sure whether to laff or be scared of all the Banglaboys in their wannabe Compton kit....

I hear they can be well rough, but then....

I aint gonna cross em to find out

 

[5t3IIa]

TBH honest I am never sure whether to laff or be scared of all the Banglaboys in their wannabe Compton kit....

I hear they can be well rough, but then....

I aint gonna cross em to find out

Banglaboys dem screech up and down my road all hours in their Audis and Maserati. Yes, Masterati. There are some perfect round tyre marks up the way. Thing is, after a year+, I'd wonder why it was so quiet if they stopped.

 

[RubyBlue]

I think Bethnal Green's ok - no worse then a lot of places and if you're near the tube it's very convenient - I'd happily live there. Same as Whitechapel - if you're near the tube it's great. Depends what's important to you, a good mate of mine has just moved from Whitechapel to a dreary North London suburb but his girlfriends having a baby and their needs have changed.

 

[5t3IIa]

My neighbours have a baby and they play out in the communal garden and and have BBQs and go to the park to look at the ducks

 

[RubyBlue]

tbh if I lived there and had a flat I was happy to bring a kid up in I would stay - Victoria park is great - I could never see myself leaving central London but my mate and his G/F decided the suburbs were better for them. I don't think schools in Enfield are any better then Bethnal Green - which I think was one of their reasons for leaving.

 

[fogbat]

Banglaboys dem screech up and down my road all hours in their Audis and Maserati. Yes, Masterati. There are some perfect round tyre marks up the way. Thing is, after a year+, I'd wonder why it was so quiet if they stopped.

I don't think I could take that.

Within a week I'd be laying out planks with nails innem on the road to catch their tyres

 

[5t3IIa]

I don't think I could take that.

Within a week I'd be laying out planks with nails innem on the road to catch their tyres

It's not so bad. Oh wait - have you actually heard it round my way?

A controversial point perhaps but I think it's different for men around here, or a lot of places. None of the kids around here have ever paid any attention to me but I have heard that they have fronted up to at least two of my male friends when I've sent them around the corner to buy onions or wine or whatever. I'm aware I get a slightly skewed view of what it's like living here.