Anyone Living in Hackney East London ?

Heyhey everyone..

Just wondering if anyone is living around the Hackney east London area ? We have moved into a a studio flat and were wondering how safe it was at night etc..
thanks
Zufan

I'm not living there but I have a friend who lives there and she finds it safe enough to go out and about on her own at night.  It is a high crime area but thankfully it is also a high policing area.  It is only a hop, skip and a jump to other suburbs too, you can go all over the place on the Silverlink from Hackney Central - direct link to the leafier Islington and Hampstead and also Camden. 

Thanks for the speedy reply Britwife.

Wife and i have been here for 4 days now and are adjusting well to the neighbourhood. Once i get the landlord to fix the front door of our apartment..we will feel a lot safer hehe.

We will be looking for work in central london so i hope there is a direct bus route to the london tower area hopefully.

Speaking of transport, would you happen to know if there are there any student discounts on any of the transportation facilities ?
Wife and i both have the International Student ID card...still trying to figure out where it might come in handy.

Zufan

Don't think the IS card is much good for that but check out the Transport for London website, I could be wrong. It will get you discounts on some flights, esp if you book through STA or other student travel places. Oh and it will get you discounts at movies, galleries etc as well.

Yes get that door fixed and get  a double lock!!

There are a couple of student transport discounts. You can get a London Transport photocard which will help you out on the tube and on light rail and a discount rail card if you ever travel outside of London. It's been nearly a year since I applied for mine, but I think I got the rail card by picking up an application at the station and then having the school stamp it and the london transport one by applying online (though I'm sure I had to get the school to stamp them both and for the life of me I can't recall how that worked.) Your uni should be able to point you in the direction of the appropriate applications though!

One word of advise, go to a passport photo place or a booth, get a picture taken and order about 10 prints of it. I swear I've NEVER had so many cards with my photo on - all of my student IDs, all of my transport cards, library cards from a couple different uni libraries - you'll probably need a minimum of 8 passport sized photos!

And welcome to London!! 

Thanks everyone for your fast and helpfull responses.

Yes i am a bit worried about the lock on our front door, the landlord assures me i will be OK but i think i will need to put a dead bolt or equivalent on it as i am very nervous about the flimsy lock on  it right now. Should i attempt to change it myself or hire a locksmith ?
I am sure it will be quite expensive to get it done proffesionally but i can attempt to do myself i suppose..

I will also be checking the student discount transport card as suggested.

If anyone is living in Hackney, please drop me a line...would love to chat a bit about the area .

thanks

Zufan