A guide to living in Borough of Barnet

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

It’s quite conveniently located next to the Thameslink station bridging the distance from central London to zone 3 in about 15 mins. Lots of shops, massive shopping centre, padel spots etc. Location is relatively quite safe with minor disturbances occasionally that are also handled by the on site security.

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

Extremely prompt, professional and sweet people who offer assistance at any given point.

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

Constant Disruptions on Thameslink Ongoing Construction

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

I've been living at The Draper since January and it's been a great experience so far. The local area is well served: there's a good range of restaurants, cafés and shops within walking distance, and the nearby parks and green spaces are a real plus for getting outdoors. Transport is generally convenient, with the Northern line right there, though the line does have its problems: when there are disruptions on the Edgware branch, Colindale residents often end up having to get off further down and finish the journey by bus or taxi, which adds a fair bit to the commute. Day to day, living here is quiet and straightforward; I haven't had issues with traffic noise or anti-social behaviour, and bin collections are regular. The one recurring problem is the recycling area, which is often infested with flies because residents leave general rubbish in there rather than recyclables. Overall, The Draper is a great place to live, particularly given its proximity to the parks, restaurants, cafés and shops. There are some issues, but I'd put these down to teething problems in such a new development :)

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

The building management has almost always responded to any issues promptly.

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

The building complex is well-located and has all the amenities you will need! Incredibly convenient :)

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

Great area, local shops and amazing restaurants! Very safe. With 24-hour security, concierge services, parcel storage, high-speed Wi-Fi and a strong focus on creating a welcoming resident community

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

Very responsive! Quick to fix any issues. The staff are all great and respectful.

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

If I knew how great this development is I would have moved in earlier.

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

The area itself is lovely. The complex itself is not 30 minutes to King’s cross as advertised, however. This is excluding the walk from the building to the station. It feels very safe, can sometimes be loud with windows open, however it is well soundproofed so when closed it’s nice and quiet.

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

Very quickly, only had one or two maintenance issues which were dealt with within 48 hours.

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

I wish I’d known that the pool and classes weren’t connected to the building, although this is not a big deal. I also wish I’d known that the lights on the rooftop don’t work, and that you have to pay to use the barbecues as this was not communicated at all during the viewings, and we were told we’d have access to the barbecues within our rent depending on availability.

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

The area has a good range of local shops, cafés, and a few restaurants, making it convenient for everyday needs, though options are limited in the evenings. Public transport is reliable, with frequent buses and a nearby train station, but parking on residential streets can be difficult. Bin collections run smoothly, and while there is occasional anti-social behaviour, the neighbourhood is generally peaceful and safe.

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

The water supply stopped working for a short time, but the building management responded immediately and had it fixed within minutes, which was very efficient and reassuring.

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

The local community is incredibly friendly, and neighbours often organise small get-togethers which make settling in much easier. I also didn’t realise how peaceful the nearby park is in the evenings, perfect for a quiet walk after work.