Hackney is a vibrant, trendy, and culturally diverse borough in East London, popular with young professionals and families for its, green spaces, and lively, creative, and bohemian atmosphere. While it offers excellent food markets, nightlife, and strong community feel, it also has high, rising property prices, and some areas have high crime rates.
Hackney is among the top 10 most dangerous boroughs in London. The overall crime rate in Hackney in 2025 was 99 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to London's overall crime rate, coming in 17% higher than the London rate of 85 per 1,000 daytime population.
Although Hackney is an energetic area during the nighttime, noisy back streets, canal walks, and parks are not to be used at late hours. Stroll down streets, prefer being in groups whenever you can, and do not go anywhere without planning your route.
Let's take a walk through London's most prestigious neighbourhood's. When it comes to luxury, Knightsbridge is unmatched. Home to Harrods, Hyde Park and some of the city's most elegant residences, this area is a magnet for international billionaires, celebrities and royals alike.
Once again, Richmond-upon-Thames emerged as the happiest borough in London, and the second happiest place in the country 🏡 Residents here rated it highly for its access to nature and essential local services, as well as the offering of shops and restaurants 🍽️
Where To Live in London | Hackney London Area Guide
Which areas should I avoid staying in London?
While London is generally safe, you might want to avoid staying in areas known for higher petty crime (like Westminster Bridge/South Bank for pickpicking) or those with reputations for drug issues like parts of Brixton, Peckham, or Elephant & Castle, though these areas offer unique culture; instead, prioritize central locations like Covent Garden, South Kensington, or Bloomsbury for charm, or Shoreditch/Angel for trendy vibes, while being vigilant everywhere for phone theft.
Hackney has built a reputation for its welcoming feel, attractive streets, and vibrant mix of people. It's a part of London where neighbours connect, families settle with ease, and young professionals enjoy the perfect mix of convenience and character.
Around 47% of the population come from Black and Global Majority groups, with the largest (21%) being Black or Black British. 36% of the population are White British. Hackney has one the largest groups of Charedi Jewish people in Europe.
Situated in northeast London, Hackney is often considered to be one of the city's main creative hubs, a district filled with markets, music and delicious food galore. The boundaries of the Borough have fluctuated over the decades, and so too has the locals' conception of what defines Hackney.
Yes, Hackney is traditionally considered a core area for Cockney culture, with its working-class roots and proximity to the East End's Bow Bells (St Mary-le-Bow), making it a place where both the accent and Cockney identity have historically thrived, though modern London's demographics mean it's more diverse now, with evolving accents like MLE.
The borough consistently cited as having the highest crime rates, making it the least safe by official statistics, is Westminster, followed closely by Camden and Kensington & Chelsea, largely due to high numbers of theft, tourist footfall, and nightlife, though "danger" varies by crime type and specific location within the borough.
The poorest parts of London are concentrated in boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham, especially regarding income deprivation for children and older people, with pockets of poverty also in Brent, Barking & Dagenham, and parts of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. These areas face high rates of poverty, with some wards like Northumberland Park (Haringey) and Stonebridge (Brent) being among the most deprived.
John's Wood. St. John's Wood is a prestigious residential area known for its quiet streets and proximity to Regent's Park. The area has a suburban feel with all the luxuries of city living, making it ideal for those who want quiet and convenience.
Keep your mobile phone and valuables out of sight. If you're using your phone it's more likely to be snatched from your hand as you're not paying attention to your surroundings, so look around you. And never leave a mobile, any other device, wallet or purse on the table of an outdoor café, pub or restaurant.
According to the 2021 Census data, 6.7% of Hackney's population are Jewish. Hackney residents speaking Yiddish as a main language account for nearly four fifths, (79.3%) of London's main language Yiddish speakers, and nearly two thirds (59.2%) of England's.
Over 3,500 households in Hackney are without a home living in temporary accommodation, often away from their support networks or without the space and facilities they need.
Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the UK?
The nicest but cheapest places to live in the UK often combine affordability with access to nature or culture, with top contenders including Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Hull, Burnley, and County Durham for low housing/rental costs, offering seaside access (Sunderland), rich history (Hull), or proximity to natural beauty like the North York Moors (Middlesbrough). Carlisle also stands out for its proximity to the Lake District and affordability.
Wealthy places in London don't come much wealthier than Knightsbridge. Period townhouses and cute mews set along cobbled streets jostle for attention with lavish new developments, including The Knightsbridge Apartments and One Hyde Park.
