Barking is a town that is being wholly regenerated, with much work having already been completed in the town centre a big new project set to deliver over 10,000 new riverside homes. The neighbourhood has the huge advantage of having two Tube lines, the Overground, and rail services, making it exceptionally well-connected for Zone 4. It also has good road links, and is very near London City Airport. Barking also has some of London's most affordable housing - for now - including Thirties semis that would attract families and newly-built town centre apartment buildings for young professionals.
Barking has a local general market that is open four days per week. It is a regeneration area that is seeing a boom in newly-built, town centre homes. New public spaces, shops, and restaurants will continue to come to the area as more housing continues to be built.
The Met police rates this area as having somewhat more crimes per 1000 presidents than London as a whole - 11, compared to 7 for London and for the borough overall. The 2014/2015 crime rate and violence against the person rate were both significantly higher than the overall London rates, and the rate of deliberate fires was about three times as high.
Parking in this area is about average for London. The rate of car ownership is fairly low for London, at one car for every two households. Road links, including the A13 and the North Circular, are good.
There's a range of pubs, bars, and restaurants in the area, as well as a local theatre with a range of productions. Residents may find they are going to Westfield Stratford for a more comprehensive range of places to socialise, but this is likely to change as more new homes and public squares are built. Transport links in this area are very good.
There is a good supply of Thirties terraces and semi-detached homes in Barking, as well as many new-build blocks of flats - this would be a place where one might find an affordable family home. Barking has fairly good access to green space, with the ruined abbey's gardens in the town centre, Barking Park, and Mayesbrook Park offering everything from boating links to cafes, including playgrounds and sports pitches. There is a wide selection of state primary and comprehensive schools that are rated 'good' or better by Ofsted. Over a quarter of the population is a child aged 0-15.
Property in Barking ranges somewhat and includes Thirties terraces and semi-detached homes as well as many blocks of newly-built flats - some of these would make suitable homes for pets. Barking has fairly good access to green space, with the ruined abbey's gardens in the town centre, Barking Park, and Mayesbrook Park offering everything from boating links to cafes.
Barking is a very well-connected part of Zone 4. There are fast trains to Fenchurch Street stations, which take less than 20 minutes, and Overground services to Gospel Oak. There is also access to the Tube, with both the District and Hammersmith & City Lines serving Barking. Upney is also on the District Line. The area is well-served by local buses, and road links - including the A13 and the North Circular - are City London City Airport is very nearby for travelling further afield.