{"id":1329,"date":"2026-05-07T07:53:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T07:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yopa.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/?p=1329"},"modified":"2026-05-07T12:42:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:42:18","slug":"whats-it-like-to-live-in-romford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dy36-2.stage.yopa-dev.co.uk\/homeowners-hub\/whats-it-like-to-live-in-romford\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s it like to live in Romford?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A historic East London market town, Romford is a destination that offers the perks of the big city coupled with the joys of slower-paced suburban living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally part of Essex, Romford is now located in the London Borough of Havering. It exudes a quaint charm full of hidden gems, local surprises (did you know about the town’s cheetah racing<\/a> past?), and a top-notch choice of affordable housing options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re a young professional looking to get your foot on the ladder, a family in search of a little more breathing space or simply want a change of pace, Romford could be the town for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s find out a little more about Romford and what it has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport links<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A mere 14-odd miles northwest of Charing Cross, Romford offers easy access to the vast majority of London, making it a popular commuter hotspot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romford Rail Station<\/a> offers regular services (several every hour) to Liverpool Street \u2013 perfect for work and leisure purposes. The station<\/a> also has a London Overground link to Upminster where it\u2019s possible pick up the District line tube and direct connections to central London, Heathrow and Reading via the Elizabeth line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those looking to access Essex, the train station also boasts excellent links to Chelmsford and a host of destinations in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local bus services<\/a> also make it easy to get in and around town, both towards London and venturing further north or east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and if you do need to travel out of town by car, the M25 is right on the doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to your children’s education, there really is no compromise. Here\u2019s the good news: Romford, and the wider London Borough of Havering, is home to a wealth of great primary, secondary, and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) based schools<\/a>, with around
70 primary schools and 10 secondary schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those venturing into the world of higher education, nearby Barking & Dagenham College<\/a> offers a range of courses and vocational apprenticeships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for little ones in need of some early years fun and education, Romford boasts a choice of Ofsted registered nurseries<\/a> and baby or toddler events<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leisure and amenities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its direct access to London and all it has to offer, Romford (and Havering) offers plenty of amenities and leisure facilities to its local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For shoppers, Romford is home to The Liberty Shopping Centre<\/a>, a lively retail hub with an eclectic mix of high street brands and popular eateries all in one place. Plus Romford Market<\/a> springs to life three days a week, with stall owners selling everything from fresh fruit and veg to vintage records and rare trinkets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for a little gym, swim, and sporting action, Romford and its surrounding areas have three leisure centres within reach – one of which boasts its very own ice skating rink<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps unusually for a town on the edge of London, Romford also isn\u2019t short of stunning green spaces<\/a> with excellent facilities and wonderful wildlife. If you\u2019re a family looking for a day of fresh air and wholesome fun, Romford\u2019s Raphael Park is the official home to the area\u2019s weekly Parkrun<\/a>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s on?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both Romford and the wider Havering borough host an eclectic mix of art-inspired events throughout the year.\u00a0 Romford\u2019s Brookside Theatre<\/a> offers musicals, stage shows, live music and comedy for all ages and the Queen\u2019s Theatre<\/a> in nearby Hornchurch (voted the UK Theatre\u2019s Most Welcoming Theatre) specialises in promoting home grown talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the area\u2019s additional highlights for your browsing pleasure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n