For almost two decades, Jordan Rivera has been an occupational therapist at Homerton Hospital while raising her children in Hackney. However, with the ongoing rise in rents and property values, she is increasingly worried that she might not be able to afford to remain in the east London neighborhood she has long regarded as home.

“I have a strong desire to stay in this area because I’ve lived here for such a considerable time. I want to be close to my children’s school and my workplace, but my current flat has become too cramped,” she shared with BBC Politics London.

Her situation mirrors broader shifts highlighted in recent research examining gentrification across London, indicating that certain neighborhoods are undergoing rapid transformation.

“I’m concerned about the difficulty of finding a larger flat that we can afford in this region,” she continued.

The study, commissioned by Trust for London and conducted by University College London, analyzed a quarter-century’s worth of data, focusing on 53 neighborhoods previously identified as experiencing gentrification in research released in April.

It revealed that an increasing number of wealthier individuals are relocating to these areas from farther away, while long-time residents are more frequently moving out, resulting in swift changes and rising costs in these neighborhoods.

Additionally, the findings showed that these areas experienced significant income growth from 2012 to 2020, coupled with notable demographic shifts, including a decline in families with children and a decrease in the black population.

“All 53 neighborhoods had below-average incomes in 2012 and witnessed considerable growth by 2020,” the research highlighted.

“This new analysis underscores the rapid change and population turnover that gentrification is instigating.”

In Hackney Wick, the transformation is evident from street to street, according to H Hussein, who has run Mapps Cafe for 35 years.

“Oh, this area has changed significantly, no doubt about it,” he remarked.

While gesturing towards some nearby structures, he added, “That used to be the bagel factory. Although they’ve kept the name, it’s now all flats.”

Hussein noted that the neighborhood was far less appealing when he settled there in the 1990s.

Though he referred to the new residences as “very nice,” he mentioned they are financially out of reach for many locals, with some units listed for over £600,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Manny Hothi, CEO of Trust for London, expressed concern over the demographic shifts revealed by the research.

“In these neighborhoods, we are witnessing a disproportionate decline in black households. Alarmingly, there’s also a notable decrease in the number of children living in these areas, which is a significant change,” he said.

“If you look back before gentrification, you would still see children in the neighborhoods. Now, we are noticing fewer children, and schools are closing—it’s truly concerning.”

While urban regeneration has enhanced the appearance and safety of some neighborhoods, the research indicates that gentrified areas are experiencing housing pressures more acutely than other parts of London, forcing many long-term residents to leave the communities they cherish.