A guide to living in Croydon

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

Cambridge itself was a very enjoyable place to live, with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafés, green spaces and things to do. There are good transport links around the city, and I found it relatively easy to get around using buses and walking. The main negative for me was the particular accommodation rather than the wider area. Traffic and busy periods can make transport slower, but overall I had a positive experience of Cambridge itself.

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

I wish I had known that I would not be able to use the communal fridge at all because I encountered mould and was uncomfortable storing my food there. I also wish I had known that I would effectively be expected to clean up after other tenants, despite paying rent to live there rather than act as a live-in cleaner. I wish I had known how little effective management there would be when tenants repeatedly failed to clean or maintain communal areas. I repeatedly raised concerns and asked for meaningful action, but often felt that my concerns were acknowledged without the substantive action I was asking for. Most importantly, I wish I had known that the quality of living during a short tenancy would feel like it was given less importance because I would not be staying long especially since it seemed as if being a stydent contributed to the expectation that I should have excepted this behaviour. A viewing cannot show you what it is actually like to live in a shared property when communal areas are repeatedly left dirty and you are the person dealing with the consequences.

What is the best feature of your home:

Reflecting back on everything, the service I got from Vertex opposed to what I was paying for there was nothing good. Communication about issues with Vertex specifically Rachael who was my lettings agent was like begging for

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

We have a tram stop outside and East Croydon station within a 5 min walk. The area is up and coming with some really good places to eat.

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

They have been prompt and have been very helpful as well as respect privacy.

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

Try and view at least 2 apartments before making a decision, that’s what I did and the staff gave me a choice. This does help you potentially see different floors/views and size of rooms.

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

Quarters is conveniently located close to restaurants and shops, and most importantly the train station.

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

I’ve not had any issues during my time in this apartment

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

Absence of a gym can be a limiting factor for many

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

Couldn't be much closer to trains buses trams. Restaurants shops pubs etc also. Parking is paid but they gave me free parking over the weekends I moved in and out. Anti social behaviour is everywhere in Croydon, the street is generally fine I had no trouble.

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

They respond very quickly and fix things within hours. Even on a bank holiday someone came out specifically just to fix my radiator.

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

Greggs is shut on Sundays. The coop is great it is round the corner and open till 11pm. Don't walk down alleyways at night. The side entrance to the train station isn't open early morning or late night so be careful when trying to time it. Flats facing the main road get very hot in the summer, Croydon doesn't have much green space. Council tax and tfl to zone 1 are expensive in Croydon. The flat is very safe, the staff are great, the flats are modern and well furnished. The price is fair.

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

The development feels very secure and safe, the neighbours are very friendly. The area is surrounded by an abundance of coffee shops, local supermarkets and gyms. It is very well connected with surrounding parking, great transport links into central London via train, the bus and trams near by can be handy too.

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

They have responded professionally and with a timely fashion. For example, when two of the lifts were broken down at once the team were patient and responded to my questions.

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

I would say the wi-fi can be unreliable at times, additionally the council tax bands were unfortunately unknown at the time. Sometimes a lift does break down, which can make the waiting time slightly longer. However, overall I am pleased with the development.