A guide to living in Oxfordshire

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

Bad Aspects; -Constantly under construction from sites nearby (on going for 4 years, still in action for min. 2 more) - No parking availability unless you wish to walk a fair bit to your car/ fight or look for parking spots because PeaBody are such stingy aholes, that they need to rip money off you if you dont have a parking permit (hard to get) The area is genuinely really boring, there's nothing exciting around and no good walks, really. - the homes were made cheaply & poorly, the grass on the homes has had to been replaced, the door and window hinges have literally started falling off after a year and a half, some of cabinets were missing the softening components to stop them from crashing every time you close them. The carpet was untucked in some areas. Good notes; -really good placement for living in oxford, as you have a bus near you & shops for everything near you.

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

That the parking was going to have to be a survival of the fittest and I have to get into constant fights with everyone.

What is the best feature of your home:

The fact that its still technically in oxford, and not outside of it.

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

Overall, one of the strengths of the area and of the street/block in particular is that it feels extremely safe, albeit noisy because of the ring road close-by (but the building has really good noise insulation!). Transport to the centre is relatively limited and the works on Botley bridge have been a hurdle. However, there are other positive sides that outweigh these disadvantages, including the availability of shops at the retail park (10 minutes walk away) and a good café downstairs. Although the block is clearly up and coming (with more businesses opening up soon, such as a good yoga studio), one thing that could improve is variety in restaurants.

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

The building management and reception staff has been very responsive to various problems, particularly plumbing issues on different occasions.

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

New builds can be unpredictable in terms of structural, such as plumbing, issues.

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

The property is on Botley road. The only disadvantage is the bridge to Oxford being under construction. We rely on public transport, so that means we are severely delayed getting to city center. However it is set to open in the next couple of months, so hopefully that will be solved.

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

I requested help with repairs at home. They arranged for repairs within the week.

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

Maybe that the flat does not receive direct sunlight during any part of the day.

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

Overall, living in my local area has been wonderful. It's close to downtown and the building/flat is super nice.

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

Yes, they have. And I owe a lot to the building management team for this. Originally, I was living in apartment that did not allow me to have pets. Since I wanted to get a dog this year, I approached the building management team for support and to see if I could move apartments. It was a lot of work on their end, but they were super supportive, and in the end it worked out! It really demonstrated how much work and care they devote to the residents here, and I am very blessed to have them run my building. Really great people that work here - nothing but respect and gratitude on my end.

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

I guess it took me a while to figure out how the washing machine works. But, that was mostly my fault since I didn't read the welcome packet thoroughly enough. I also really underestimated the community I would find and build here. My neighbours are really lovely!

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

Great location with shops nearby and a pub within walking distance. Great transport links that work well for our needs.

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

Not yet had to raise any repairs but have received all the necessary contact information if we need to raise a repair

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

What the finalised development will look like- if more parks will be built etc