With any luck after countless delays I will finally be completing on a house in Stratford.

As i've mostly lived in NW before this I know nil of the area. Do any of you live / work / know the area?

Can you suggest a local nice pub for drinks? and one for a sunday roast (i don't mind a nice walk to get to this one)

Do you know any nice breakfast spots?

Is there anything I should test out - nice walks to victoria park? the limehouse cut? the greenway? Hackney?

If it helps I'm moving just off Stratford high road near the bridge and the river

Thanks

Why the hell are you buying a place in a place you don't know a great deal about?

I have visited and wandered round the area - what I was mostly looking for from this was recommendations from folks who already live in the area and have a better understanding than me.

I know nothing of the area.

That's different from what you said above. I spent weeks on and off wandering around Crystal Palace before I bought.

If you are chatting about the bridge next to the Bow Flyover, then I live in that area. I've been here for nearly 3 years now, and can say that it's a good place to live. The traffic racket takes a bit of getting used to, although now I don't even take notice of it anymore. If walking or cycling, you ought to be a bit careful on the Bow Flyover roundabout. It's very busy, and people drive too fast around it. Two cyclists were killed on it within the space of a month. This was a couple of years ago though.

The Morgan Arms in Bow is a quite nice place. The food can be a bit hit and miss - occasionally it's great, othertimes not so. It does boast a good atmosphere though. You've also got the Westfield Stratford, which has a few good places to eat (plus shops, cinema & casino). For breakfast, we've only been to Gardiners (E3 4PH). It's a bit small (hard to get a seat), but the food is good. If you like asian food, then it's worth trying Zains, Kiismat Diner (try the lamb saag!) and Tayyabs.

The transport links are first-rate - good bus service, loads of tube stations close by, easy to get out of London if you have a car. You'll also be right next to National Cycle Route 1, which goes from Dover to the Shetland Islands. I used to use this route to commute to Essex, which was great (no cars), especially in the summer.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I think you'll like living in the area - I've got no regrets.

Good breakfast - The Counter Cafe in Hackney Wick.

The Pie Crust cafe on Stratford High Street does good, low-cost Thai food.

Cheers for the restaurant reviews I'll test them out in particular the lamb sag!

I normally get the tube but I'd be game for giving cycling a go - but perhaps the Bow roundabout isn't best for a first try!