It's urban/suburban, but pretty green. The redevelopment up as far as New Islington has gentrified the surroundings, beyond that the 1970s housing (which preserved the canal route through the infamous, and award winning at the time, shallowing scheme) is now being replaced and the area doesn't feel as rough as it once did. There are plenty of people using the towpath; most will ignore you, a few show curiosity about boats and locks and how they work - the locals don't see many boats through here. You will find kids hanging around, but I have always found them quite well mannered and happy to move out of your way if you ask nicely.
The locks can be heavy, and suffer the usual problems of lack of use. But it's all doable, the main issue is simply the number of locks!