A guide to living in Greater London

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

The Quarters Croydon is an excellent place to live, location and proximity to transport links to Central London and the variously airports in and around London. The noise levels from the main road is manageable when the window is closed, but makes you feel uncomfortable when the weather is warm. The bins are collected on time and the building is kept tidy all the time.

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

Yes, the response in time and get the issue sorted to a satisfactory level.

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

That you have to renew your contract every 6 months, even after living there for years.

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

I’m really pleased that my home is very close to Sutton Station, which makes commuting and getting around extremely convenient. There’s a good range of local shops, cafés, and restaurants nearby, offering plenty of choice for day-to-day needs and dining out. The transport links are excellent, with frequent trains and reliable bus services. The area feels generally safe and friendly, though parking can be a bit limited at times. Bin collections are regular, and while there’s some traffic noise during rush hour, it’s not too disruptive overall.

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

Stuart responded quickly to my request and was able to fix problems regarding the flat efficiently. I really appreciated his prompt and professional help in resolving the issue without any delay.

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

I wish I had known how busy the area can get during peak travel times because of the station nearby. It’s not a major issue, but parking can sometimes be tricky in the evenings. On the positive side, I’d tell new neighbours to take advantage of the great transport links and the variety of nearby shops and restaurants—it really makes daily life convenient and enjoyable.

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

The local area is exceptionally poor in a variety of shops, whilst the only two small off-licence shops on Dorset Road are open over limited hours. A number of shops on Dorset Road close to the junction with Kibworth Street were shut down a few years ago as a result of local authority compulsory order for the redevelopment of the site. Despite the regeneration plan also including some shops, their construction and availability to private businesses is years away. Additionally, the LTN scheme that was imposed by the local authority some years ago, banning all motor vehicles access through Clapham Road as a "rough and ready” and easily implemented measure has become a constant source of stress and frustration to many residents and is damaging local businesses alike. The scheme falls short of addressing the problems that the ban of access to and from Clapham Road has generated for motor vehicle users who live or have business associations within the area. Residents and services providers are forced to access our homes or business only through South Lambeth Road having to endure unnecessary stress and anxiety as a result of additional traffic and driving time, including an increased risk of road accidents, through busy Vauxhall and Harleyford Road that is frequently jammed. Not only because we can no longer access our homes through Clapham Road but also because we can no longer access our nearest convenience stores Lidl and Tesco - unless of course we embark on a tour around Vauxhall and Kennington or Stockwell and Clapham North in pursuit of a turn back to Clapham Road.

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

Yes, but slowly and often well overdue. Services must be provided with reasonable care and skill, which unfortunately is not the case with NHG management. Any apology or other redress offered as an admission of bad service received is undoubtedly void if there is no record of improvement.

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

The merger between NHHT and Genesis that signalled an ever-deteriorating level of service quality and value for money.

What is the best feature of your home:

Its interior design and decoration give a positive note to the otherwise negative aspects of living in the area.

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

The central location of this development can’t be beaten, I’ve used the tube about 5-10 times since 2019. Otherwise walking or buses and Thameslink do the job. The regeneration of Elephant Park is also a plus, I take my son there a few times a week, especially in the summer. Anti-social behaviour can be an issue as we have drug addicts around our development all the time, but isn’t it everywhere in London. They usually do no harm.

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

How much the service charge and heating bills would go up. If not for our residents association we would be screwed with bills!

What is the best feature of your home:

Quiet, well insulated, super central. I love having two bathrooms, and a spacious balcony.

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

I like the proximity of Canary Wharf shopping mall and stations. I hate that there are an increasing number of small crimes in the area e.g. grocery store theft in our street, parcel theft in our building and random teenagers wandering in our building. And I don't like being near to the Britannia Hotel protests.

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

That parcels often get stolen and the residents leave the bin rooms and the lobby area dirty. And you pay high service charge for nothing.

What is the best feature of your home:

Views of Canary Wharf and the clever use of space in the flat.