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 at Abbeville Apartments has been a positive experience overall. The development is modern, well maintained and has useful amenities including a gym, resident lounge and communal spaces, which help create a friendly community feel. The location is very convenient, with Barking Station only a short walk away, making it easy to get into Central London or Canary Wharf. There are plenty of local shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants nearby, and having Asda next door is especially useful for day-to-day shopping. The area is lively and multicultural, with good access to parks and open spaces nearby. Transport links are one of the strongest points, although trains and buses can become crowded during rush hour. Like many busy London areas, there can occasionally be traffic noise on the main roads and parking spaces are sometimes limited. Bin collections are generally reliable and the building management is responsive, though the surrounding high street can feel busy at weekends. Overall, it’s a convenient place to live with strong transport connections and good local amenities.

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

The building management team has generally responded promptly and professionally to any issues raised. Mohammed, Samson and Hassan have all been particularly helpful, approachable and responsive when dealing with maintenance requests or resident concerns. Communication is usually clear throughout the process, and most issues are resolved within a reasonable timeframe.

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 into Abbeville Apartments is how busy the surrounding area can feel during peak commuting times, especially around Barking Station and the nearby high street. The transport links are excellent and very convenient, but trains and buses can get crowded during rush hour. I would also recommend checking parking arrangements early if you own a car, as spaces can be limited for both residents and visitors. On the positive side, the sense of community within the building is better than expected, and the resident facilities such as the gym and lounge are genuinely useful. The on-site staff, including Mohammed, Samson and Hassan, are approachable and helpful, which makes settling in and dealing with any issues much easier.

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

Nothing in barking the market is diverse but no real good bars, restaurants maybe in 10 years it will good but I’ve ended travelling to Stratford or Hackney to have a good day or evening

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

Never any contact once got told I could go into a payment plan but my rent was fully paid & then when I got into a payment they refused to give me a new lease … why even suggest ?

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

The bills, £150 a month is crazy enough but sometime went up to £250 for a one person bedroom that’s ridiculous. 2k can you get you a very nice apartment in a much better location. Remember they are owned by a company outside of the UK that want to use young professionals as a way to exploit them to get there good earned money. Maintaining the apartments are non existent I twice made a maintenance issue & got an email to say it was fixed no one came to fix it

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

There are plenty of local shops and supermarkets nearby, including ASDA, which is only a short walk away. Transport links are excellent, with frequent buses and easy access to major routes, making commuting simple. The neighbourhood is generally calm, with good parking availability and reliable bin collections. I rarely experienced any anti‑social behaviour or noise disturbances, which made the area feel safe and comfortable. After moving away, I realised just how convenient this location was, and I am genuinely considering returning.

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

The building management team were consistently responsive and supportive whenever I raised an issue. Whether it was a small request or something that needed urgent attention, Mohammed and Hassan always handled it promptly and professionally. They communicated updates clearly and followed through until the issue was resolved. Their level of service was exceptional and one of the main reasons I enjoyed living in the development for 3 years.

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

I wish I had known just how well‑managed and comfortable the development was before moving in. After living here for 3 years and then relocating to a different place, the difference became very clear. The convenience of the location, the excellent management team, and the overall quality of the building are things I truly appreciate in hindsight. Knowing this earlier would have made the decision to move in even easier—and it’s why I am now considering returning.

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

Good transport links to Central London wirh District and Hammersmith line and also C2C Service. A lot of fast food places and supermarkets arround.

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

Exceptional service for any issue we'd faced since we're in the property. Samson, Muhammad and Hassan are always very helpful and professional. The maintenance team is also incredible.

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

No any complains about anything. We got exactly what was advertised.

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

I’d highly recommend Momento Barking as a built-to-rent option in East London. The local area has a good range of shops, supermarkets and services on Barking High Street and nearby — from Vicarage Field Shopping Centre and big-name chains to independent cafés, restaurants, bars and markets, so everyday errands and socialising are very convenient. There are also pleasant open spaces and parks, including Barking Park and riverside walks along the River Roding, which are lovely for exercise or relaxing outdoors.

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

Building and property management have consistently been responsive and professional, with maintenance requests handled efficiently and clear, timely communication throughout. Mimi at the front desk is always welcoming and smiling she genuinely seems to love what she does, and as a resident, her warmth and positive energy really make a difference to the overall experience of living here.

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

One thing you don’t always get from a typical viewing is how much the community and management team influence the day-to-day experience. The building feels much more welcoming once you’re actually living here, the staff are approachable, maintenance is handled efficiently, and the communal spaces are genuinely used by residents rather than just being “show pieces.” For new neighbours, I’d recommend making the most of the facilities early on (especially the gym and co-working spaces) and introducing yourself to the team they’re very helpful if you ever need support. Also, if you commute during peak hours, give yourself a little extra time as the station can get busy. Overall, it’s a convenient and well-managed place to live once you settle in.