A guide to living in South West England

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

Good things about the local area: - Everything is really close, you can walk to the station in ~10 mins, to Cabot Circus shopping centre in ~10 mins, Wapping wharf, old town, you name it! - Every Weds & Fri there's an excellent (slighttly pricey) food market just outside the building in Finzel's Reach - I'm not a drinker but if that's your thing there are so many great spots to socialise, have a wind down (every Tues there's even a free run club organised by Left Handed Giant). - Some really nice gyms (one in the building as part of the tenancy) around the local area too, mostly affordable and a range of options that will suit whatever your preferred movement type is. There's a new pilates place opening next door to Hawkins & George - Liviing rightt next to the water, perfect for a good walk! Downsides if any?: - Sometimes you do get a bit of noise outside, but it's nothing major. Usual stuff (bins being collected, people chatting, socialising late at night) etc. Keeping your windows closed does help a lot so it's not unbearable IMO. - We've not had any issues at all. But I can imagine walking around Castle Park late at night miiiight be intimidating for some, but it feels pretty safe and most people are just doing their own thing. Like with many places, you should be alert and use your common sense. Everything is well lit and generally there's always people around (including security/police) since it is the city centre.

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

Sadly, we actually had a number of big issues when moving in, the foremost being the heating not working properly/at all, the extractor in the flat bathrooms being too weak, leaks in the cupboard - but again, the team handled this as quickly and urgently as they could. These things happen and it's been great to see how it's been dealt with. Anytime there's any issue big or small, it's always handled promptly and professionally.

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

You'll have a great time here, and (as long as you engage in things going on here) you can build a great community/home. Hawkins & George has honestly been an A* 10/10 experience for us :)

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

Proximity to Bristol Temple Meads and City Center. Quiet street. Sainsbury Local steps away. Mokoko Cafe offers pastries and coffee the best in the city.

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

Yes. Respond thru email fast enough but fixing them takes a while.

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

The definition of 24/7 Concierge is quite different. Best to check what is covered and what’s not.

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

The local area is very convenient. Box Makers Yard is close to Temple Meads station, which is great for commuting and travelling, and it is also within easy walking distance of Bristol city centre. There are plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars nearby, so day-to-day life is easy without needing to drive everywhere. Transport links are good overall, with trains, buses and walking routes all nearby. The street itself is generally fine, although it can be busy at times because of the central location. Traffic noise is sometimes noticeable, but not unexpected for this area. One issue is that rubbish containers can overflow during holidays or busy periods, which makes the area look untidy and can be unpleasant. Parking availability around the area is limited, but having access to underground parking helps, when the gates decide to participate in society.

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

Building management usually responds within a few days when I raise an issue. The responses are generally helpful and polite, and the team are approachable. Some recurring issues could be fixed more permanently, but overall communication has been good.

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

One thing I wish I had paid more attention to before moving in is how the building feels during normal day-to-day life, not just during a viewing. The practical things matter a lot: how deliveries are handled, how easy it is to work from home, how busy the communal areas feel, and how well the building deals with regular resident traffic. In that sense, Box Makers Yard works well overall. The parcel room makes deliveries much easier, the working space is genuinely useful, and the building feels convenient for everyday living. I would tell a new neighbour to make proper use of the shared spaces, because they do add value beyond just the apartment itself. The only practical tip I would give is to be aware that, like any large residential building, small recurring maintenance issues can happen, so it is worth reporting problems early rather than waiting for them to become annoying.

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

Overall, the location is excellent. It is very convenient for daily life, with good transport links and easy access to shops, restaurants, bars, and other amenities. The layout of the development is well designed, and there are pleasant open spaces nearby. Getting around by public transport or car is straightforward, which is one of the biggest advantages of living here. However, there are two main issues. First, the underground car park entrance gate is not always functioning properly, which raises security concerns and increases the risk of unauthorized access. Second, some tenants do not dispose of their rubbish responsibly. As a result, unpleasant odours sometimes come from the bin storage area, and there have been occasional sightings of rats around the refuse room. Apart from these issues, the overall living experience has been positive.

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

The building management has generally been responsive when issues have been reported and has communicated updates when appropriate. However, some recurring problems, particularly the underground parking gate and waste management concerns, have taken time to resolve completely. Overall, management has made efforts to address residents' concerns, but there is still room for improvement in preventing these issues from reoccurring.

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

I wish I had known that the underground car park entrance gate can occasionally be unreliable, which may create both inconvenience and security concerns. I would also have liked to know that waste disposal can sometimes be an issue, as a small number of residents do not always dispose of rubbish properly, leading to unpleasant odours around the bin storage area and occasional pest problems. On the positive side, the excellent location, convenient transport links, and easy access to shops, restaurants, and local amenities have made daily life much more convenient than I expected. These advantages have significantly outweighed the drawbacks during my time here.

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

The property is well located. It's close to a local Sainsbury and the principal train station. There is a large parking 2mins away so it's fine

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

They come to your appartment to see what's really wrong. They've been helpful to me.

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

How efficient the parcel collection is. It helps a lot when you are not there and even when you are.