A guide to living in Reading

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

The location is great for its transport and ease of getting into the centre of town, the immediate area around the flat block isn't great and can be unsafe especially at night though security do a great job of ensuring the building itself feels safe. Parking is also difficult as all options are incredibly expensive not to mention the lack of availability at the moment for onsite parking, though hopefully this will change with the opening of the new building.

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

They've been fantastic with everything I've raised with them. Recently our toilet broke and they had someone in to fix it the same day. They're always really helpful and friendly and are really the heart of the building. Events have been really fun and diverse, great for meeting other people and making it feel more community focused.

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

I wish I had considered how bad the parking situation is, though the new building may help with this.

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

The building is located minutes walk to town centre which makes it an ideal location for just about anything. There's strong transport links in both buses and being a 10 minute walk from Reading station. Parking can be a pain for visitors as on street is 2 hours only, though there is a relatively cheap car park one road over.

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

The on-site are great at handling issues quickly, usually within a day or two. Any larger issues I've encountered had good communication where I was kept up to date with what was happening and why it was taking so long.

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

The courtyard is north facing so direct sunlight is limited to the middle of the day! You can't change energy/broadband supplier. The energy supplier has been a pain to deal with at times but prices are reasonable so I don't feel worse off by being locked in. Basic broadband is included in the rent (100MB) but can be upgraded for a cost if needed.

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

The local area is vibrant and well-connected, with a good range of restaurants, coffee shops, and independent boutiques just a short walk away. Public transport links are excellent — multiple bus routes and a nearby underground station make commuting into central London very convenient. There is also a good mixture of people from all walks of life ranging from students, to workers to families from all backgrounds. It is a really nice place to live and connect with others.

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

To the best of their ability as we had an issue that was out of the building managements hands.

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

Rent increases. Please clarify before renewing because we had very irrational 37% rent increase although this had nothing to do with the people on site we weren’t really happy with how the issue was resolved as it wasn’t resolved and we feel what we were charged was unfair especially as no one else we knew in that building was paying that much and we still have not had a valid explanation but didn’t have enough notice time to move out.

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

The area around Ebb and Flow is lively and convenient. There’s a good mix of local shops, supermarkets, and cafes within walking distance. Plenty of green spaces nearby for walks or relaxing. Public transport links are strong with nearby buses and train stations, making commuting easy. The street is generally quiet with minimal traffic noise, and we haven’t noticed any anti-social behaviour so far. Bin collections are regular and parking is manageable, though it can get a bit tight at peak times. Overall, it’s a great place to live!

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

They’ve responded quickly and helpfully to any questions or issues we raised. Communication was excellent, and everything was handled efficiently and with care.

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

It would have been helpful to know a bit more about how the Flatfair deposit process works for international tenants, especially the banking codes required for payment. Also, bringing proof of right to rent on move-in day is essential, so have all your documents ready.

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

Being in domain means joining the family, im so happy being part of this family. Im looking forward to come back in September and see my family again, also domain is the best place to social with people. Everyone is friendly and they love to talk.

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

Always quick, they always solve problems fast. Including maintenance team m, i had some issues in my apartment and they solved as soon as i apply it in the app

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

I always heard the apartments and they were lovely