This neighbourhood area is centred around the Olympic Park – with the recent regeneration of this section of the East End undertaken in preparation for the 2012 Olympics. Fronted by the River Lea and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the west, and the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre to the south, the residential development is a beautifully carved development in a fast-emerging area of East London. The International Quarter is at the heart of this neighbourhood, and is increasingly host to businesses and organisations such as the British Council and the Financial Conduct Authority. Deutsche Bank has also purchased a building in the area.

Overall the International Quarter is set to generate 25,000 new jobs. Beyond the new modern apartments and the large Westfields, the area is also famed for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which extends from either side of the River Lea and includes a portion of wetlands for residents to stroll in. The ArcelorMittal Orbit is nearby, as is the London Aquatics Centre and the London Stadium. Stratford International station connects to London Kings’ Cross as well as to the rest of the stops on the HS1 network.

This area has always been associated with Stratford, and during the industrial revolution factories grew in the area. A railway works was built in the area, though by the 1990s it was closed down, and much of the area suffered high unemployment and high crime rates. The land was under-utilised and the area largely dormant – a fact that was taken advantage of during the 2012 Olympics, where it was rebuilt into the Olympic Park, with the main stadium, aquatics centre and velodrome being located in the area. The development was meant to be sustainable, and the transport links as well as athletes accommodation made the area into the amazing place it is today.

This neighbourhood is relatively new, but its claim to fame has been the 2012 London Olympics. Amongst the most famous athletes to have participated in the games (and thus lived in the Olympic Village) is Michael Phelps, who cemented his reputation as the greatest swimmer in the world here. He won four gold medals and six others, after which he announced his (as it were, temporary) retirement.

In an odd departure from the triumphalism of the Olympic Park, a twisted steel beam stands in a corner of the area, hidden behind some trees near the Aquatics Centre. It is a piece of the World Trade Centre, one of only six pieces of the Twin Towers to be sent outside the United States. The structure stands alone, largely unnoticed by others, tempting contemplation of one of the 21st century’s most significant events.

Happily, there are areas reserved for lighter meditation in this neighbourhood – with four themed walking trails to explore, including the aforementioned Wetlands. The park covers 6.5km of waterways and 30 acres of woodlands with the 525 bird boxes and 150 bat boxes in the Park, making it a sanctuary for animals as well as humans.

This neighbourhood is sparklingly new, leading to inevitable discussions about a lacking sense of community. Nonetheless, one local resident said that there are more families moving into the area, and that the place is full of life during the weekends. He also praised the connections to other parts of London via Stratford and Stratford International stations, as well as the safety and cleanliness of the neighbourhood.

As part of the ongoing regeneration of the area, the Olympic Park will ultimately have 10,000 new homes, spread throughout five neighbourhoods – a third of which will be affordable housing. Each neighbourhood will have schools, nurseries, community spaces, and stores within walking distance. While the area was already super-connected, with access to the Central, Jubilee and London Overground as well as National Rail lines, the opening of the Elizabeth line has brought Bond Street a mere 15 minutes away, and Heathrow within 43 minutes.