The neighborhood of Shoreditch? What is it like?

Hipsterville, basically.

Definitely not pretty

Lots of nightlife, good for Vietnamese restaurants

Beards

Buses rather than tube

OK if the price is right.

As everyone else has said, but there are still some pockets of the traditional lower-class residents who are sometimes not happy about the gentrification. Keep situational awareness if you're wandering around and don't be brash if you find yourself in a non-hipster environment.

Have you checked the areas that people suggested on your other thread?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/seriously-overwhelmed-on-airbnb
There should be some good ones in those areas.
A lot better than Shoreditch, unless you are looking for "hip".

Yes Rebecca I'm looking everywhere..... I had just never heard of Shoreditch.

I even found a place in Bethnal Green that I want but I think my hubby will veto it. It's a airbnb and it cones with 2 resident cats you have to take care of......LOL I was in love with their picture but have no idea about that area or how long to get into central London from there.

There's no lack of trendy food in Shoreditch. Traditionally it is where inexpensive - ok I'll be honest, cheaply made and cheap looking - factory made furniture was made in the 19th century; very down at heel but now hipster. The http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/ Geffrye Museum contains a series of living rooms showing how the furniture and furnishings changed from decade to decade - very very interesting. The museum is free entry. There is also a guided tour of 19th century tenements at one end of the building - that has a small cost but is very worthwhile IMHO.

Before staying in Shoreditch or surrounds I'd check carefully on street view.

Shoreditch has Old Street tube on the Northern Line Bank Branch and buses, as well as the Overground to New Cross and New Cross Gate, where tourists are very rare and would do well to watch their backs.

Bethnal Green was traditionally Jewish and some vestiges remain. Now mainly newer immigrants from a bit further east in the world. Going hipster but more slowly than other areas. Solidly lower middle class and working classes until very recently.

Bethnal Green is on the Central Line and has a station on the overground.

Can I strongly suggest if you are looking at Airbnb in those areas to take extra care. Much of the area is social housing - what we used to call council houses - in large high rises or entire estates of mid rise flats. There have been several stories in the last few months of tenants hiring out the flats without knowledge or permission of the housing association (who do the work for the councils now) which is totally illegal, or if the property is owned by tenants without the permission of the owner. A fair number of the properties offered have been found to not exist, or use photos of other properties.

Buyer beware, and if the person offering the property wants to go outside Airbnb channels to email, and especially if they try to get you to pay outside the channels run the other way.

I've stayed in Whitechapel, near Shoreditch, and I had a wonderful time. Maybe because I live in a large city with the hipsters and immigrants I didn't think it was too different from home. Never once felt unsafe, and I'm a party girl who stays out kind of late. I can send you the info on my Airbnb if you'd like.

Emily yes please.