The East London town some residents wish was still in Essex as it's 'gone from village to ghetto'

The debate over whether some Essex border towns still belong to the countryside or are well and truly part of London is ongoing. Sometimes, not even its residents can agree on where they live.

Some of these towns were historically Essex, but have become part of Greater London. While a few have retained their Essex identity, others, such as Chingford, have gradually taken on a more London-like character according to some who live there.

Chingford, now a suburban town in East London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, was once an ancient parish of Essex. However, many of its residents increasingly feel that it is losing its village feel and becoming part of the sprawling city.

READ MORE: Is this town in London or Essex? Residents just can't agree

Chingford residents believe the town feels more like London than Essex
Some Chingford residents believe the town feels more like London than Essex -Credit:EssexLive

Tuncay Bulbul, owner of a local fish and chips shop, said: "When I first came here, Chingford had Essex vibes. But after the [2011 London] riots, it feels like a ghetto part of London."

Tuncay added: "In 2011, council tenants were relocated here, while house prices skyrocketed in Tottenham. Now, Chingford is really not the best place to live."

Colette McGrory, who moved to Chingford from Scotland 10 years ago, agrees that until recently the town was more like Essex, but that's not the case anymore. She said: "It used to be Essex, but now it's completely London. Years ago, mentioning Chingford would spark a positive reaction, but now it leaves people feeling uneasy."

A road in Chingford, in E4
Despite being in zone 5, you can reach Liverpool Street from Chingford Overground station in 30 minutes -Credit:Richard Dunn/Wiki Commons

Richard Ashen, a volunteer at South Chingford Community Library, finds the debate difficult, but agrees the area is now more London than Essex. He said: "It feels like a London suburb. Essex is much more rural, and we're very close but not quite there."

Richard believes true Essex lies further afield. He added: "You need to go past North Chingford, towards Epping, to get that Essex feel."

Some believe Essex only starts in Epping
Some believe Essex only starts in Epping -Credit:Acabashi/Wiki Commons

However, some people still believe Chingford is Essex, citing its strong community ties and village feel. Rita, a local florist living in Chingford for six years, said: "It feels like Essex to me. It's a small village where everyone knows each other - London is too big for that."

Safety is another reason some still view Chingford as part of Essex. Long-time resident and cafe worker Florina Malain said: "It's quiet, and I've never seen any trouble. There's no road accidents or kids causing problems with drugs or alcohol, so it's more like Essex."

While some residents cherish the area's village-like atmosphere and Essex roots, others feel the town has transformed into an extension of London, losing its original charm. As Chingford continues to evolve, the question of whether it's more Essex or London will likely remain open.

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