A guide to living in Borough of Barking and Dagenham

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

Living in Barking has been a great experience, especially at APO. The area is developing rapidly, with more shops, cafes, and restaurants popping up all the time. There’s a good mix of big-name supermarkets and local convenience stores nearby, and you’re close to lovely open spaces like Barking Park and the riverside walks. Transport links are excellent – Barking Station is just a short walk away and gives quick access to the District and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as Overground and c2c trains into central London. The area feels safe and welcoming, and the community is diverse and vibrant. Parking can be limited in certain spots, but the building offers bike storage and good local transport makes having a car optional. Bin collections are reliable, and the street is generally quiet with minimal noise or disturbance.

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

The building management has been responsive and professional, always addressing issues quickly and keeping residents informed throughout.

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

One thing I wish I’d known is how active and social the APO community is—there are regular events and communal spaces that make it easy to meet people, which is a great bonus. Also, the train noise from Barking Station can be noticeable in some apartments, so it’s worth checking the flat’s orientation if you’re sensitive to sound.

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

The area is really convenient as close to supermarkets and train. The building is located in a peaceful area next to a nice park.

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

Yes, we previously had a minor issue with the electrical not working temporarily and a member of the maintenance team resolved the issue quickly.

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

There’s nothing I’d wish I had known before moving in.

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

Honestly, I really like living in my area. It’s got everything I need close by – shops, cafes, parks, and decent transport links. The vibe is pretty friendly and there’s a nice mix of people around. That said, parking can be a pain sometimes, and it gets a bit noisy with traffic now and then. But overall, it’s a good place to be and I feel quite settled here.

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

Building management has been responsive and quick to sort out issues when reported

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

You would see great sunsets in the balcony and I just love them ! I live in 8th floor and the view is so great !!!!

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

Living in this area has been a mostly positive experience. It’s great having a local shop nearby and being close to several major supermarkets, which makes day-to-day errands really convenient. While there aren’t loads of restaurants or bars right on the doorstep, Stratford isn’t too far and offers a much wider selection when needed. Transport links are excellent, definitely one of the standout positives. It’s easy to get around, and I really appreciate that this part of the area is quieter and slightly removed from the noise and busyness near the station. That sense of calm makes a real difference. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, especially when friends or family come to visit. Bin collections are generally reliable, and for the most part, the behaviour of residents is respectful. That said, there’s definitely room for improvement when it comes to people being mindful of cleanliness in shared spaces. What I really love is the design of the area, the sense of intentional community, and how friendly and supportive the staff are. There’s a clear effort to create a positive living environment, and that goes a long way.

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

More often than not, the response has been fairly quick.

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how important it is to be extremely meticulous when checking for marks, faults, or any minor damage in the flat before you settle in. Some things aren’t immediately noticeable, but once you live in the space, you start spotting small issues that were already there. It’s easy to assume they’re not a big deal, especially if they were clearly there before you moved in, but I’ve since heard from neighbours who were charged for things they didn’t cause when moving out. So my advice would be to document everything, even if it feels small or insignificant at the time. Take photos, flag it to management, and make sure there’s a record. Charges can come later for things that seem minor or that weren’t your responsibility, and that can be frustrating. It would also be helpful if residents were given a clearer idea of potential maintenance issues from the start. For example, certain areas might need cleaning or attention more frequently, or specific things might happen like unexpected dirt build-up if preventative steps aren’t taken. These are things that property management are probably aware of but that aren’t always communicated clearly. A checklist or heads-up about these kinds of things would go a long way in helping new residents avoid surprise issues later on.

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

The good side about Apo barking is their location. They are close the motorway giving easy access to different parts of London and beyond making this a privilege from drivers. Barking station provides several train options and they are reliable at most times. The development is 10mins away from the station which isn’t much and keeps the chaos away from where we live.

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

There is usually a back and forth with this most times, at the end it’s usually a compromise from both parties.

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

Try to keep your flat free of damage to avoid any unnecessary extortionate damage costs.