A guide to living in Birmingham

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

I have been living here since August 26th 2024 and have had several issues with the parking that have not seemed to resolve as time has passed. Everytime I go towards the shutters I am met with anxiety on whether they will open or not even after paying £180 a month for the car park. The intercom button doesn’t even work which again is a shock given the amount we are expected to pay for the car parking every month. My husband has to get out of the car to open the shutters from the inside which I find unreasonable again given by how much we are paying. When I have gone to the desk to raise this issue I was met by agency staff who rolled his eyes at me whilst I raised this issue with him. Jack has given a month of free parking to compensate in the past which I do appreciate but for this issue to continuously arise is becoming quite ridiculous and causing issues for me too.

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

Some staff do not know how to help in terms of reactivating the car pass we have which means I have to continuously come down to reception until I find someone who can help me with my issues.

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

The car parking issues I would have had even after paying £180 monthly.

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

Right in the heart of Birmingham close to Central Station, 10mins to airport, near shops, cafes, cinema and restaurants - you can’t beat Apo for location!

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

All issues such a water heater not working have been addressed and fixed swiftly. Count have asked for more.

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

The lack of parking is a pity but I know the next phase will have a car park. Much needed for residents.

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

The building is within walking distance of the centre of town and Birmingham new street station. There are loads of restaurants, shops and transport services. There is a big car park down the street for those who can’t get a space underneath the building. This big car park is run by the council and you can get a year pass for similar to the price of the building parking space.

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

We can message reception on the my Grainger app and they respond quickly.

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

There is nothing hidden that came as a surprise. You think it would be very noisy being in the town centre but the windows are really good at soundproofing. If you open the windows when it’s hot though it can be quite loud because of the traffic.

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

Within the area there are bus stops, plenty of restaurants and shops. The grand central (main train station) is within 20 mins walking from the flat too. There is not much of any parking available within the area, unless you pay for the private parking within the flat (which we were unable to get as all spots were reserved)

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

Yes they have responded if we have had any minor issues within our property.

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

When checking out or leaving your flat, they are very picky with little marks or scuffs on the wall requiring you to paint the whole wall before leaving.

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

Good Aspects: One of the main benefits of living in this area is the convenience. There are plenty of shops and supermarkets nearby, which makes everyday errands easy. The city centre is just minutes away, offering access to restaurants, entertainment, and more. Public transport links are also excellent, with buses and trams right outside, making commuting very straightforward. Bad Aspects: On the downside, there is a social housing building opposite which is often noisy, and the atmosphere from that area can sometimes feel unwelcoming. Additionally, being so close to Broad Street has its drawbacks, it’s known for being noisy, occasionally feeling unsafe, and generally quite busy, especially during weekends and evenings.

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

The building management has been excellent in responding to any issues we’ve raised. They are always quick to act, especially when it comes to repairs. The team is friendly, approachable, and efficient. Whenever we’ve asked for something to be done, there’s no hesitation or delay; they simply get on with it.

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

Everything was explained perfectly by Isabella when we first viewed the apartment - again, positivity from the team.