De Beauvoir Cycle Gang Strikes Again

It's only been your neighbourhood since you were born. Before that it was someone else's and it will be again. London is in a state of constant change, especially in the East. Dalston has been the haunt of posh media types, artists, musicians etc since before you were born. In the 80s Stephen Fry and hugh Laurie lived there, and after them (in the same house in fact) Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. Plus all their luvvie mates.

Gentrification makes shit places nicer. In Dalston's case it's the inevitable consequence of getting a tube station. Judging by the fact that where I live has changed completely over the last 10 years yet still very much retains its heart, character (and level of crime and anti-social behaviour) I wouldn't worry about it too much. You're not going to become a stranger in your own street.

That's true - There's parts of Dalston that have always been very posh.