A guide to living in West Midlands

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

The local area is vibrant and very well connected. There are plenty of nearby supermarkets, cafés, and restaurants within walking distance, which makes everyday living very convenient. Public transport options are excellent, with multiple bus routes and a nearby train station. The area feels safe, and there are several green spaces for walking and relaxing. Occasionally, bin collection delays happen during holidays, but it’s usually well managed. Overall, it's a pleasant and lively neighbourhood.

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

The building management team has been responsive and helpful whenever I’ve had a problem. They typically reply within a day or two and take action efficiently. In particular, Kary has been exceptionally kind and supportive—she truly goes above and beyond to help residents and makes the process feel personal and smooth.

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

One pleasant surprise was how quiet and well-maintained the building is. It’s also worth knowing that the management team is very approachable, especially Kary, who is incredibly kind and helpful. If you ever have any issues, you’re in good hands. Also, getting to know your neighbors early can make the experience even more enjoyable.

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

We live in a centralised flat in Digbeth, Birmingham, and absolutely love the short commute into the city centre and its buzzing nightlife. Being right outside a major bus route means transport is incredibly convenient, and we feel well-connected without needing a car. The area feels safe and homely, with a growing community vibe. Bins are collected regularly, and we’ve not experienced any major issues with noise or anti-social behaviour. Parking can be tricky at times, but that’s to be expected this close to town.

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

Management are always quick and prompt and thorough when taking care of our issues

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

They were so upfront about everything that they left nothing undisclosed!

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

Having a Aldi next door is really convenient, with a pure gym opening up soon (august 2025). Good road connection through the A38 to get you in and out of Birmingham and the ring road to assist you getting to other areas of the city. some good bus connection around the site. Next to the Edgbaston cricket stadium, which if you love cricket I'm sure you'll like it. but this does mean that the car park is inaccessible on match days so you will need to organise your car use around that. it is on the pricier sides of rents and they do ask to check income when organising tenancy.

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

reasonably quickly, though as with anything involving human interaction response times may vary.

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

As most of the apartments only have windows on one side, circulating air and cooling the apartment can be difficult.

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

The location of Loudons Yard is great, 5 mins away from Broad street and 15 mins away from Harborne which is ideal, since there are loads of places there for food and drink.

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

They were efficient any maintenance request I have had Reece and Mark fix them swiftly and I did not need to follow up about the matter.

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

I truly have nothing bad to say everyone was so welcoming and lovely they demonstrated where everything was and didn't leave me wondering and having any questions.

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

The Forum is in a superb location within short walking distance to the two main train stations, namely New Street and Moor Street. Even for slow walkers like myself it won't take more than 10 minutes. It does lack proximity to bigger super markets, only local stores are in close walking distance, but this can be sorted if one does bigger grossery shopping or gets deliveries. It is in a very vibrant area of Birmingham, next to bars and restaurants, sometimes it's true too vibrant, however this mostly happens in weekends and days off. The location is really great, the proof is that I haven't changed for the whole duration of my stay in Birmingham (six years)

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

The building management always responds to problems or issues I have raised through the years and they make sure those are get sorted in the less possible time.

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

I can't say that I came up to something that I wish I had known before, except for the fact that I'm a smoker and I didn't know that the only place to be able to smoke was out in the street, rain or shine (mostly rain and wind). So if anyone is a smoker, they should take that into consideration. Smoking is strictly forbidden in the premises, also in outer spaces. Another tip that I could give, is to be careful with how many things you accumulate, as the storage spaces are limited.