A guide to living in Borough of Hackney

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

Manor House has improved over the years but still faces several challenges. The area has decent transport connections with the Tube and buses, making it convenient for commuting, though stations can feel unsafe late at night. Local shops and cafés are mixed in quality, with a few nice spots but not much variety. Open spaces like Finsbury Park nearby are a plus, but the streets can be noisy and parking is difficult. The biggest concern remains safety, it’s better than it used to be, yet still not a place where you feel fully comfortable walking alone after dark.

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

They rarely, if ever, respond to issues raised. The approach seems deliberate - they ignore complaints until residents lose patience or give up. It feels like dealing with a system that knows most people don’t have the time, energy, or money to keep pushing. As a result, many eventually move out or rent their flats just to recover some of what they’ve lost. It’s an exhausting and deeply frustrating experience.

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

I overestimated Hackney Council’s involvement in the regeneration project and thought it would bring real improvement. In reality, it’s just another gentrification scheme, focused more on image than on the community. If I’d known that beforehand, I wouldn’t have bought here. That's why we will leave when possible....

What is the best feature of your home:

The best part is that it’s our home - a comfortable space we’ve made our own, where we can shut the door and forget about everything outside.

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

Where our block is is perfect for transportation there are supermarkets and shops Galore in the local area however there are also too halfway houses very close and several beggars near the local tubes station and also one or two gangs hanging around which makes the area feel quite unsafe however aesthetically they have done a really good job there is a reservoir where they go boating it's absolutely beautiful and you would not think you were in London. There is a fair amount of green space and we are surrounded by private blocks which are very well cared for unfortunately our block seems to be frequently overlooked especially when it comes to things like window cleaning which has not been done in over five years

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

The high price of living here, everything is a bill

What is the best feature of your home:

When I initially moved into my flat I was told that the Wetlands would remain as they were which was fantastic as I had a beautiful view of London however two years later they built a horrible monstrosity blocking out most of the view which left me rather annoyed I still do those sit on my balcony and look out at the view that I still have and do appreciate it

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

The area is still lacking in local shops, restaurants, bars etc outside of Woodberry Grove road. But some new amenities have opened very recently (Cafe, Tesco, Gym). There has also been a very concerning increase in crime in the area recently too. There is still a lot of noise in the summer from concerts in nearby Finsbury Park. The Wetlands footpath walk has been close for quite some time now. Traffic noise/congestion is still an issue on Seven Sisters Road. The junction should be yellow boxed.

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

When the security lock on the building front door became broken, it took two week to fix. In that time anyone could enter the building. A few months ago they replaced the internal signage in the building and damaged some of the walls in the process. Most of the signs were fixed, but some have still not been fixed.

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

The concerts held in Finsbury Park during the summer. They cause a lot of all-day noise in the heat of summer where you can't open your windows. The concerts also bring a lot of anti social behavior to the area, mainly Wireless Festival.

What is the best feature of your home:

It's closeness to Manor House underground station, Finsbury Park and the Wetlands.

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

I love the open spaces and green spaces, really good for daily walks especially in the summer. Range of local shops are ok now that we have a Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Could be a better range of eat in places.

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

I do love the community feel of living at rowan apartments as it’s so close to other blocks such as Hornbeam. I’d be careful with leaving bikes etc outside as theft is high! This applies to the whole of London though.

What is the best feature of your home:

The best feature of my home is the kitchen it’s very big (4 bedroom house) it means we can fit in a sofa and dining table

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

Quite far out from the busy parts of London, which leaves you without the easy amenities, but it leaves you with peace and quiet. Transport is 10-15 min walk, which is usually okay, except for in peak summer. The quality of residents has gone as more people started smoking on the balconies leaving terrible smells. Residents with children sometimes let them loose, causing a lot of mess.

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

Some flats are priced differently, causing different calibers of residents moving in. Some are great, some are not.

What is the best feature of your home:

The concierge is the best thing ever. Parcels, security or just a friendly face. Amazing.