A guide to living in Borough of Hackney

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Dalston has great options for food, bars, pubs at all price levels and a range of cuisines. The close proximity of Dalston Kingsland makes it convenient to get to a grocery store with a Sainsbury's, Aldi Local and M&S Food Hall about a 5 minutes work from Dalston Works. Allpress (which is coffee/cafe spot) is also super close and is amazing! So is London Fields for big parklands, and an indoor pool. Transport is well connected but it is worth mentioning that you do not have a tube station nearby, however there are two overground stops in close proximity (5-7 minute walk to Dalston Junction & Dalston Kingsland) and lots of bus routes do travel from in and around the complex.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes. Building management has been quick to address any issues we have had or let us know if there are issues/repairs ongoing.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

1. Composition of private tenants vs. other tenants in the Building 2. More about the Dalston area

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I love living in Dalston Works. it's close to both public transport and the many amenities of Hackney and Dalston: there are brilliant restaurants, bars, bakeries and parks nearby, plus a large variety of supermarkets and other conveniences. Sound is a bit of an issue during the summer, as the Overground can be noisy when the windows are open, and kids playing in the courtyard can make a bit of a racket. I also don't especially love the Kingsland Shopping Centre, which—despite containing a giant and very convenient Sainsbury's—is pretty crummy, though never unsafe. (I'd love it if they renovated the shopping centre to make it a more welcoming location, but rents are high enough as it is!) The only other downside is the lack of parking—we ended up selling our car because we had nowhere to keep it. Given that the Sainsbury's car park is nearly empty most of the time, I wish DW could broker some sort of deal to let residents keep their cars there.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Yes, on the odd occasion we've had an issue I've heard from them within hours of submitting a complaint.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There are upsides and downsides to living in a place with terrific insulation. In the winter, the building stays warm and we rarely have to turn on our heat in earnest...but in the summer it's a furnace. I know it's not common in the UK, but as a US expat I long for air conditioning. If DW were to install something like that I would probably never leave.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

It's Dalston! So much going on all the time, and no shortage of places to eat, drink, hang out, see shows at, learn stuff at, etc.! DWorks has lots of coffee shops within a 2min walk + a big Saino's 4mins away and a wine bar literally right outside. Also I have a climbing gym a 6min cycle away which is fantastic for me. Two overground stations (Junction and Kingsland) + loads of bus stops within a 5min walk makes everything pretty accessible. I tend to cycle most of the time and have had no issues with the bike storage as of yet - seems pretty secure and there's always space. Bin collection spot is easily accessible and regularly cleaned out, probably the cleanest and least stinky bin room I've ever had. traffic noise is quite loud if you keep the windows open but I've been living in London so long I think I'm numb to it. not much in the way of ASB but you do occasionally hear people roaming outside at night, but I guess that's also part and parcel of living in a big city. No complaints!

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

generally very quick to respond and find a solution although have had to wait 2-3 months now for a damaged set of blinds to be replaced/fixed :(

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

the building team are pretty tight on fire safety so forget about smoking on your balcony (not that we do, but seen lots of emails about it going around) + have had a doormat removed from our corridor for the same reason while we were aware!

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The local cafes and restaurants are excellent, with delicious food and great service. The area is very convenient, located close to the underground station. There are many supermarkets nearby, meeting daily needs. However, safety patrols at night need improvement, especially near newly constructed buildings, as there have been instances of phone theft observed.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had known the completion timeline for other buildings, as ongoing construction can cause some noise. This information would help better plan the move-in timing.

What is the best feature of your home:

Spacious balconies and well-designed interior layouts offer a comfortable and practical living experience.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Hackney Wick is a great place to live. There are loads of bars, cafes and restaurants within a short walk. From pizza places to fine dining, and amazing BBQ from Uncle Hons at All My Friends. Victoria Park is only a few minutes walk away for summer evening picnics, or to visit the weekly food market. There is a nice community in the building. Everyone is friendly, and on hand if you need a pet looked after when away, or to borrow something.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There is only on street parking, but you don't need a car here to be honest. Hackney Wick station is a 2 minute walk away, with easy links into town.

What is the best feature of your home:

It's well finished with underfloor heating, built in Sonos and we love the exposed brick work. Having the gym is a real bonus.