A guide to living in Leeds

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

: The area around LiveOasis Merrion Street Gardens in Leeds city centre is vibrant and well-served. The Merrion Centre, a short 5-minute walk away, offers a diverse mix of shops, including Morrisons (the city centre’s only comprehensive supermarket), Home Bargains, and independent retailers, catering to daily needs and student budgets. Nearby St Johns Centre (5-minute walk) and Trinity Leeds provide chain stores and additional retail options.Restaurants are plentiful, with high-end spots like Miller and Carter, authentic Asian cuisine at Little Lotus, and upcoming Mediterranean tapas venues, alongside casual options like My Thai and Pizza Express. Bars such as The Wax Bar and JukeJoint, Belgrave Music Hall, and The Key Club offer trendy, inclusive vibes with craft beers and live music, fostering a lively night-time scene.Merrion Street Gardens itself, a small 0.75-acre green space, provides a tranquil spot for relaxation with benches and a playground, ideal for lunch breaks or escaping city bustle, though it lacks on-site toilets. Nearby Millennium Square hosts events, enhancing open-space vibrancy, but green spaces can feel limited in this dense urban area

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

I've been at LiveOasis for a few months, and it’s been a solid experience. The apartments are sleek—love the big windows and modern vibe, perfect for studying or chilling. The Wi-Fi is super fast, and the gym is a nice bonus, though it’s not fully open yet, which is a bit annoying. Location is ace, with Morrisons and cool bars like Belgrave just minutes away.

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

I wish I’d known how noticeable the traffic noise from Merrion Way and the city centre loop would be, especially during early mornings and rush hours. The modern apartments at LiveOasis have decent soundproofing, with double-glazed windows, but if you’re a light sleeper or prefer a quieter vibe, the constant hum of vehicles and occasional sirens can be disruptive.

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

Live Oasis Merrion Street Gardens is located in a very central part of the city, close to everything you could need including shops, entertainment, and even both of the universities.

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

There was a time when I had a leak coming through my ceiling from the apartment above into. I reported this via the building's maintenance app and was told it would be dealt with within 24 hours. Long story short, this took over a month to be solved after multiple complaints and several follow-up maintenance reports. This is my only experience using the maintenance system and I hope it has improved since that time.

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

The main thing would be the constant construction work that was taking place during my time here. When I moved in back in early 2024, I was told that the facilities would be available by September 2024. However this didn't end up coming to fruition until after over a year. I was told that this delay was due to issues with the contractors and not YPP, although, I think communication from the management team could have been better during this time. On a positive note, my current experience here is a positive one. The YPP staff are friendly and the facilities are great. Now that the building is fully completed, I would recommend Live Oasis Merrion Street Gardens as a great place to live!

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

It's quite close to everything, you're pretty much at the heart of the city center and you get the easy access to buses, train station and shops... The noise however is damning especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

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

Yeah, every issue raised through the portal system is treated with urgency

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

The apartment in itself is noise proof but not enough to save you.

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

LiveOasis at St Albans Place is in a prime location in Leeds. You're minutes away from the city centre, with a great range of shops, restaurants, and bars nearby—everything from local cafes to major chains. The area feels vibrant and well-connected, with plenty of open spaces like Woodhouse Moor within walking distance. Public transport is reliable, with regular buses and Leeds train station not too far. Parking can be limited, and bin collection is consistent but occasionally disrupted by streetworks. Overall, the street is lively but not too noisy, with minimal antisocial behaviour.

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

The building management has been responsive and helpful, usually resolving issues promptly and keeping residents informed.

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

I wish I had known how limited the parking options are nearby—it can be a challenge if you have a car. Also, during peak times like move-in weeks, the lifts and maintenance services can get quite busy. I'd recommend planning around that.

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

Living in my area on Wade Lane, Leeds has both good and bad sides. There are many shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and takeaways nearby, so it’s easy to find what you need. The Merrion Centre and Trinity Leeds are close, and you can walk to them in a few minutes. Buses are easy to catch, and the train station is about a 10–15 minute walk away, so travelling is simple. But during busy hours, traffic can be slow. The street is mostly quiet, but sometimes at night, there can be noise because it’s near bars and clubs. The bins are collected regularly, but sometimes they get too full. Parking is hard to find. There’s not much anti-social behaviour, but it can happen once in a while. Overall, it’s a nice place to live with a few small problems.

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

The building management has been quick and helpful in responding to any issues. Maintenance requests are usually handled within a day or two, and the staff are friendly and professional.

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is how noisy it can get during weekends due to nearby bars and clubs. It’s manageable, but light sleepers might want earplugs. Also, parking around the area is very limited, so having a car here isn’t ideal. I’d suggest future tenants plan around using public transport or walking.