Walthamstow is home to several great attractions, including numerous galleries. The East London neighbourhood is somewhere with a wide variety of housing, a strong local community spirit and excellent travel links. In this guide, we find out what it’s like moving to Walthamstow, including the best places to live, house prices and more.
A brief history of Walthamstow
Walthamstow was first known and spelt as ‘Wilcumstowe’, which means ‘place of welcome.’ AEC was located in Walthamstow and was responsible for the mass production of London’s famous buses. The ‘mile-long’ Walthamstow Market began trading in 1885 and is one of the most iconic markets in the city. Despite starting as a rural area, it’s now largely a suburban, built-up neighbourhood.
Where is Walthamstow
Walthamstow is located in East London and has an E17 postcode. It falls under the London Borough of Waltham Forest and borders Chingford to the north, Leyton and Leytonstone to the south and Tottenham to the west.
Moving to Walthamstow
There’s a strong selection of housing in Walthamstow, including charming period properties and new-build homes. Walthamstow Village is the most popular area, especially the streets around Orford Road.
Buying in Walthamstow
The average sold price in Walthamstow is £563,022, which is higher than the UK national average of £329,547 but lower than the London average (£734,698). Expect to pay an average of £635,138 for a detached home, £678,173 for a terraced house and £396,992 for an apartment.
There’s a varied selection of estate and letting agents in Walthamstow, with chain and independent options available to help you find a home.
Renting in Walthamstow
One-bedroom homes rent for an average of £1,285 per month in Walthamstow, with two-bedroom properties fetching in the region of £1,550 per month. For larger homes, expect to pay an average of £2,175 per month.
Cost of living
If you’re moving to Walthamstow, you can expect to pay similar prices to the rest of London for everyday living. A meal for one person is around £20, while a cappuccino and a pint of milk cost about £3.20p and £1 respectively.
Utility bills are considerably higher than the national average (UK average £155) in Walthamstow, at around £247 per month for electricity, heating, cooling, water and waste disposal. Expect to pay around £29 per month for broadband.
Living in Walthamstow
Open spaces
There are many open spaces in Walthamstow, with Lloyd Park a favourite amongst residents. It has gardens, an area for spots and games, as well as a moat, café and gallery. With its 36.7-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, Walthamstow Marshes is another popular open space.
Transport links
Walthamstow is well served by underground and overground stations located at Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road. Full bus services operate from Walthamstow Central and provide a hopper service, making all journeys simple and quick.
Shopping
You can’t shop in Walthamstow without visiting the historic market that has been trading for well over a hundred years. It has a variety of stalls selling food, clothes, furniture and antique goods.
Eateries
There are plenty of places to grab a bite, from quirky cafes to restaurants serving an eclectic selection of dishes. In the heart of Walthamstow Village, there are several restaurants that produce good old British food with a hearty feel. There is even, a traditional pub, theatre, and an art gallery all rolled into one.
Nightlife
Enjoy creative mixed drinks and unique shisha flavours in stylish settings. Or spend some time at The Duke E17, an easy-going pub with pinball, ales and spirits. It could just be your new local.
Art & culture
The William Morris Gallery is an award-winning gallery based solely on the life and legacy of designer, craftsman and socialist William Morris. Another popular spot is Inky Cuttlefish Studios. It’s a printmaker that holds regular art workshops and showcases work from local residents in its gallery.
Things to do
For more than 40 years, God’s Own Junkyard has served as a cult yard/shop. It’s everything that’s current: retro, made using up-cycled materials, old movie props and neon lights. The place has become an institution in Walthamstow and is a tourist hotspot.
What’s not to like?
Once people move to Walthamstow, it’s a while before they move out. That means finding property here can be quite tricky as it’s in such high demand.
Who lives there?
The London Borough of Waltham Forest has a population of more than 276,000 and a median age of 35.
Typical broadband speeds
The average broadband speed is 117mbps in Walthamstow, which is much higher than the UK national average of 67mbps.
Crime rates
The overall crime rate in Walthamstow averages around 79 crimes per 1,000 people.
Moving to Walthamstow
Move iQ’s property report provides an in-depth analysis of specific properties as well as details about the local area of Walthamstow. If you’re thinking of moving, make sure you get one first!
Last Updated: November 27th, 2023
