Essence3, E3

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

The area has really developed over the past 5 years, with newer retail and pub establishments opening, turning Bow into a very desirable area to live for young central London workers. The proximity to Victoria Park is brilliant, which provides excellent outdoor space and facilities. There are significant development plans currently being considered by Tower Hamlets council which will further improve the area. Mile End Tube is ~12 min walk, no. 8 bus is also very good for City and West End access. I have private parking at the residential development (at cost), but parking on streets is very restricted, and I understand there are restrictions on residents permits. Bin collections are hit and miss (especially Recycling, which is high in volume, and sporadic in pick-ups). ASB is a particular issue, my development recently being subject to a Closure Order due to ASB and break-ins.

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

With either silence, significant delay, or gross incompetence.

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

In hindsight, I wouldn't buy off-plan, or at least, not without properly considering the layout. I was hugely disappointed with the internal layout, but this was very much a failing on my side. Not a particular issue for my property - but I'd suggest good practice things to look out for in new properties are internet connectivity, mobile phone signal, what the neighbours are like, exposure to any outside issues (bins, traffic noise, etc), parking availability, access, any current local disputes/issues, ASB issues, council tax charges, (if in Flats) Service Charge costs. Knocking on a neighbours door can often yield a lot of helpful information :-)

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

Great place to live. 5-10 minutes walk to tube & dlr which will get you into central within 20 mins. 15 minutes bike ride away from shoredtich/old street and it’s a short walk from Victoria park which is a nice day out in the summer. I would say the convenience of living above a tesco would outweigh the con of the constant sound of lorries reversing - I can’t lie, it’s annoying at 6am! Ive seen a bit of anti social behaviour and have been told by other residents that cars have been broken into in the underground car park which is meant to be secure.

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

I have no complaints. I’ve never contacted the management company regarding any problems but I have seen people cleaning the carpets in the hallways and people fixing the lift. Nice and friendly people too - which goes a long way.

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

That you can’t have 2 hours peace from deliveries. Poundland, tesco and Iceland lorries are always on Cardigan road.

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

The overall area is nice and there are plenty of shops. There is also a nice market on some days and the park is right nearby. Right besides a Tesco Metro.

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

The apartment listing actually didn't say that the washed was included which was a surprise to me when I moved in.

What is the best feature of your home:

The quality of it. Does not feel cheap or old and it's nice.

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

I love the area, the Roman road with it's exciting shops and cafes, the amazing Victoria park and the Mile End park are so located within 5-7 minutes walk. Two tube stations and a DLR station are within 15 minutes walk what is convenient. There is some traffic noise and antisocial behaviour can be quite disturbing.

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

Nothing comes to mind.

What is the best feature of your home:

Location. Proximity to parks and Tube stations. Big windows providing good amount of day light and consequently warm in winter.

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

The area is great, close to Victoria Park, shops on Roman Road. Thee can be a lot of ASB in the area and this is something residents are trying to improve in collaboration with police and housing associations. We have great neighbours in our block.

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

How our original housing association was going to be bought by another company.

Please share one thing (or more) which you would change about your development:

Have a new housing association. Ideally one that was locally based and not part of a national company that has no connection to actual residents.