A guide to living in East London

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

E14 is a convenient place to live, especially if you work in or around Central London. The area has plenty of green spaces and riverside walks, which make it feel less crowded than many other parts of London. There are also some great restaurants nearby: Royal China and Noodle Street in Canary Wharf are definitely worth visiting. Public transport is excellent, with several stations close by. One drawback is that street parking can feel a bit insecure. However, this isn't an issue for residents at Fizzy, as the development provides secure underground parking, which is a big advantage. Overall, it's a well-connected and pleasant neighbourhood with a good mix of city convenience and green surroundings.

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

Overall, the building management has been responsive and easy to contact. Most maintenance requests are acknowledged quickly, and smaller issues are often resolved within 24 hours. However, some more complex issues haven't always been followed up as consistently as expected and have required additional reminders. Despite that, the team is friendly and generally willing to help, and communication has been good throughout.

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

We would like to better understand the location and layout of our apartment within the building. We noticed that our apartment is located near the smoke vent room, which appears to radiate excessive heat and creates additional warmth inside the apartment, particularly during the summer months.

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

The local area is very convenient, with a good range of shops, supermarkets such as Lidl, Morrisons, Tian Tian, restaurants, Cafes such as Starbucks, Pret, McDonald’s and everyday services within easy reach. Transport links are a major advantage, making it straightforward to travel to work and other parts of London using the Jubilee line or DLR. There is also a communal garden in the building to take a stroll or for some fresh air with seating and fountains. We also have access to the Fizzy E16 building with its rooftop garden, gym with various classes and events advertised every couple of weeks, space for activities with board games, snooker, air hockey & a quiet work space. Overall, the area is pleasant and practical.

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

Building management has been quick, helpful and professional whenever I have raised an issue. They communicate clearly, respond promptly and make a genuine effort to resolve problems efficiently.

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

It would have been reassuring to know beforehand that the management team handles issues so well. They are approachable and responsive, which makes a noticeable difference to the overall experience of living in the development.

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

Range and quality of shops is excellent as there’s lots to access nearby at every price range. I’ve explored restaurants, bars, and all the parks in the area and have found some real gems including Palooza, my new fave nail salon, and lovely parks that I run to. Transport is very convenient with the tube and DLR station just minutes away. The east side of the street is a bit rougher than the west, which feels more gentrified. Although I don’t feel too unsafe walking at night.

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

Management have always responded quickly to us and in full detail. However, we’ve run into issues where they try go against what was written and communicated in our rental contract, and also contradictory to what members of staff had explained to us. Specifically, we were told we would be receiving a discount for the scaffolding on the building and had included this in the contract, but management had insisted that we shouldn’t be getting the discount at all. This was stressful and quite unprofessional especially as we had several written forms of communication to support our side.

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

Although I appreciate having access to the common areas like the gym and work spaces in Fizzy E16, it’s quite inconvenient that Fizzy Canning Town residents aren’t able to access the building or floor without getting a fob from the concierge. It makes me feels like I don’t have the same rights to the shared spaces even though I should. Several times I have gone to the building and have to wait for the concierge to let me into the front door to then ask for the key. The shared spaces are lovely and very well maintained, but I would like access to be easir.

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

Canning Town is a very convenient place to live, especially for commuters. The Jubilee Line and DLR provide quick access to Canary Wharf, Stratford, London Bridge and Central London. There are plenty of supermarkets, local shops, restaurants and takeaways within walking distance, and the area continues to improve with new developments. There are also nearby parks and riverside walks. On the downside, traffic can be busy during peak hours, and there can be some noise from the main roads and construction work. Parking is limited, but public transport is excellent.

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

The management team has been polite and usually acknowledges reported issues. Minor maintenance requests are generally handled within a reasonable time. However, some ongoing concerns, such as the lack of ventilation in the corridors and the strong odour from the bin area spreading into the lifts and parking area, have not been fully resolved. These issues would benefit from a more permanent solution.

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

I wish I had known that the corridors have limited ventilation and can feel quite stuffy at times. I also didn't expect the bin area to have such a strong smell, which sometimes reaches the lift lobby and parking area. Apart from that, the location is excellent, with fantastic transport links and easy access to shops and other amenities, making it a convenient place to live.

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

Shops: Plenty of local supermarkets, including Lidl, Tesco and Iceland. Smaller corner shops in the area have a range of ingredients - Greek food, Turkish food, Asian food, and more. There are also some Chinese supermarkets which are amazingly stocked, and of course there is the legendary Bargain Zone on Crisp St which sells pretty much everything. Restaurants: A number of Korean restaurants including Korean BBQ, and takeaways. There are a few cafes around including Brewed and Poplar Bakehouse. Bars: Lacking in this area, but Star of the East (nearby) and The Clement Attlee (Limehouse) are nice establishments. There are a few pubs in the Poplar area but they don't get too busy. Open spaces: Bartlett Park is opposite which has a lovely view of Canary Wharf and is great for catching some sun. Transport: Langdon Park DLR and Westferry DLR are a short walk away providing easy access to Canary Wharf for Jubilee Line and Bank. Stratford is also only 10 mins on the DLR. Santander bike rentals are available outside the building, and there are multiple bus routes, including the 115/15/N15 a short walk away that goes to and from central London all night. Street: On-street parking is available and underground parking is part of the property. Traffic noise isn't too bad, but occasionally at night there will be people driving their fancy cars very fast down the road. Antisocial behaviour is minimal, although sometimes there are people letting off fireworks in the park. Other things worth noting: InPost and Amazon lockers are available a short walk away, and Crisp St is a short walk away which has a post office, boots pharmacy, butchers, tailors, and of course the market.

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

Maintenance requests are easy to log in and app, and are often seen to the next day. It is so much easier having a management company to speak to instead of a landlord.

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

I wish I could have more insight into what the 'Fizzy bills' cover - this is maybe a service charge but it isn't very transparent.