A guide to living in Borough of Barnet

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

It’s an 8 minute walk from the tube station which is super handy and so close to central London via tube. It has everything you need/want around here including shops, restaurants and gyms.

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

Yes they have and it’s been dealt with within a few days to even a few hours!

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

I feel that I was told pretty much everything before moving in.

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

The local area is frankly - dreadful. The absence of a square and a high street is noticeable and really does impact your day to day living. We are unfortunate enough to have a direct view into a repurposed hotel that probably houses illegal migrants at this stage, accompanied by a bridge which hosts many homeless people under it. Overall, I would not walk 2 minutes away from where the building is as the safety factor can drastically and dramatically decline as soon as you're out of this square. The actual square, despite being blatantly lied to by leasing that it will open in 2025, will not in fact open until spring 2026. There is absolutely nothing to do around here, especially if you do not own a car. Transport links are not that great either. WHile there are direct trains to London, if you miss one, the next one is very likely to be in 20-30 minutes.... If you're a working professional that works in the city, commuting from here will make your life a living nightmare.

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

Multiple issues have been raised but to no resolution. I occasionally feel the concierge service gaslights me when I raise something as they try to redirect me to the positives of living here....

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

How difficult my day to day life would be when not having a decent high street or being in an area that genuinely feels safe.

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

I find the location convenient. The street is quiet. Ive had friends come round and there has been no issues with parking etc. Everyone in the area is friendly incl other tenants. There’s a lot of young families and a diverse mix of people in the area which is also reflected at The Maple.

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

Quickly and with ease as mentioned above. I also appreciate that the staff are able to respond promptly on WhatsApp to any problems or issues I have had.

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

I just want to give a quick shoutout to the staff at The Maple. Everyone from the concierge to the team at the gym/pool have been helpful, welcoming, patient and kind. There’s been amazing staff behind the scenes as well that helped me with the move in process such as Richard who went out of his way to make the move-in process as smooth as possible for me.

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

The local area is sold as a “lifestyle” destination, but day-to-day it feels fairly limited. There isn’t a proper high street or a fully functioning square yet, so the range of local shops, restaurants and bars is more restricted than you’d expect for the price point, and it can feel like there’s not much to do locally. Transport links also haven’t been as convenient as I anticipated. Getting into central London is doable, but the overall connectivity feels like a downgrade compared with living more centrally, and the commute has had more of an impact on my quality of life than I expected. In terms of living on the street, it’s generally fine, but the wider issue is that the area still feels “in progress” rather than established, which makes it less practical day-to-day than the marketing suggests.

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

Building management has generally been unresponsive and ineffective. When I’ve raised issues, responses are often slow, unclear, or don’t lead to any meaningful action, and following up feels pointless because the same problems keep recurring. Communication is also inconsistent — changes and closures (especially around facilities) often happen at short notice with vague explanations, which makes it hard to trust that issues are being properly managed. Also, they are completely disconnected with the tennant experience. The rooftop, which you think would be accessible throughout your stay, was LOCKED on purpose during fireworks...absolutely rediculous.

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

I wish I’d known how limited the wider area feels once you actually live here. There’s no proper high street and not much in the way of day-to-day facilities nearby, so the “lifestyle” pitch doesn’t match reality unless you’re happy travelling elsewhere for basics. I’d also want to know that as soon as you walk a couple of minutes away from the development, the area can feel noticeably less safe. There’s a nearby pocket that feels quite questionable, and it changes the experience of living here because you don’t feel comfortable just wandering around locally in the way you might expect at this price point. On top of that, I wish I’d known how big the gap can be between what’s said during viewings and what you actually get. My main tip to a new neighbour would be: don’t rely on verbal assurances — get everything confirmed in writing (amenity access, opening timelines, fees, etc.). Management also feels very reactive, with poor communication and little forward planning — facilities can be closed or access changed at short notice with vague explanations, and you often only find out when it’s already happening.

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

The local area is generally pleasant and continues to improve day by day, with new facilities and services being added regularly. There is a good range of local shops and essential services, all of acceptable quality and within easy reach. Public transport links are very convenient, with good access to buses and nearby stations, making daily commuting straightforward. The street itself is mostly quiet, bin collections are regular, and there are no significant issues with anti-social behaviour. The only minor inconvenience at present is some noise from nearby construction work, which is temporary and expected to finish as developments are completed.

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

Building management has generally been responsive and professional, acknowledging reported issues and taking action to resolve them, although some matters have taken longer than expected to be fully addressed.

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 that some facilities, such as the swimming pool and gym classes, may be closed or cancelled at short notice, which is not always clear during a viewing. I would also advise new neighbours to be aware that occasional smells from the rubbish chute can occur and to report them early, as well as to keep an eye on building updates and notices from management.