Then there’s the general malaise and disdain that management gave me in trying to help resolve my problems. I didn’t have internet for nearly a week (management was supposed to set it up), and the solution provided was that I fix the problem myself, except the issue was they never registered my apartment. My bathroom door lock was broken and wasn’t fixed for about 2.5 months, when the repairman showed up, completely unannounced, to take a look. The building is in the 1 year warranty period, where a 3rd party is responsible for all repairs, and I interpret that as a hand-washing of any responsibility to get issues fixed. My balcony door was also unable to lock for about 2 months, and no one particularly cared about fixing it. With all the break-ins and thievery of packages in the building (we were promised a concierge we never got until recently, after a spat of robberies in the building), it didn’t inspire a lot of confidence that they were fine to keep my balcony door unchecked. I actually think I’ve been fairly lucky to not have any packages stolen as many other residents have complained about having theirs taken.

On top of this, I was shown an apartment on a higher floor and promised the train noises wouldn’t be a problem. Spoiler alert – it’s a huge issue, and if it weren’t for the two month free rent, I would have left here as soon as my lease allowed me to. It’s a consistent theme where the sales people promise you ease and simplicity, but you find out what you were promised and what was delivered are very different. When I brought up these issues, they were ignored for weeks, and I asked to be escalated to the manager of multiple properties. Even getting a call back from her took about 3 weeks, with a possible resolution of moving me to another unit in the new building that was opening. Lo and behold, the sales agents claimed they were never told of this and leased up most of the building before I even got a chance to look at any units (the manager claims she told them, so someone was lying to me). Also, I found out that if I moved too much higher I’d be charged higher rent, even though I was originally shown an apartment on a higher floor. The apartments are significantly overpriced for basically no amenities, mediocre build quality, and horrible management.

I found out they’ve started implementing some positive changes (hiring security, getting rid of the rats near the bins), but that’s only because the tenants literally formed a union to force some positive change.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

The bad:
The train noise is incessant and becomes like a bad nightmare after a while. I bought a white noise machine, which helps, and thankfully, the tube usually stops around 1 am, but it starts right back up around 530. Don’t expect to sleep in much.
The trash bins/recycling are frequently not picked up which is frustrating, but I’m not sure who’s at fault on that one. Traffic noise is ok, but there is a lot of construction going on which can be distracting and close streets nearby.

The good:
You have good accessibility to the Canning Town station, so it isn’t too bad to get into central London (the Jubilee and DLR are relatively well connected). There is a nice Morrison’s and some decent cafes/restaurants around (nothing major yet but there is definitely some investment on this going on). Green space is lacking, but City Island is a nice walk and there’s a small park nearby there.

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

That there would be multiple burglaries, the concierge promised wouldn’t exist, the furniture in the apartments is quite mediocre, and that management would do as close to nothing as possible to resolve the issues.

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

Most of my issues have taken at least 5 follow-ups and never gotten a quick resolution. I’d say my average time between raising an issue and getting it resolved is somewhere between 1-3 months.

This is a Zone 3 property that is 2 minutes from the tube, and 12 minutes from Kings Cross. You really couldn’t ask for more. We intend to stay here for quite some time!

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Two minutes away from the tube, with a COOP right next to us. A new Creative Coworking space just launched opposite the property, and this is a dog owner’s dream. 10 minutes to the Wetlands and a bit longer to the forest. 1 tube stop away from Walthamstow and its lovely village and farmers markets. 1 tube stop from Tottenham Hale’s large stores (B and Q, Curry’s, Argos, etc…) and IKEA is 10 minutes from there. What I dislike is that we are a bit limited in terms of food delivery, but that is changing gradually as more services start catering to our area.

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

Luckily we live on the side away from the property under construction, but we did not know there was construction happening right across. This is no longer a problem for any tenants though, as the construction work has ended more or less.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

I like there is a shop and tube station near by. I don’t like the lack of doctors surgeries and dental practices. The shops seem to be over whelmed by the new arrival of tenants in the new builds.

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

I wish I had known about the car park situation, as mentioned previously there is an ongoing dialogue about what we were promised and the service we are receiving. I also wish I knew dealing with Fizzy as a company was more straight forward.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

There’s nothing I dislike about Walthamstow. By Blackhorse Road we are right next to the River Lea, Tottenham Lock, Walthamstow Wetlands and a comfortable walk to Walthamstow Marshes and Tottenham Marshes. It’s rare to find so much natural beauty in London and yet have excellent access to the central areas. Walthamstow very much has its own identity as opposed to being swallowed up into the capital like so many other areas. It’s very family oriented, yet has plenty to do for young people. The pubs are excellent. Close by the Fizzy development is a Co-op and Lidl is a twenty-minute walk away, with plenty more in the town centre should they not suffice (the town centre is roughly a 25-minute walk). William Morris Gallery is also close by and has some beautiful gardens to enjoy and almost everyone I’ve met around here, both in the development and outside, are incredibly friendly.

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

This was more our fault than anything else, but we’d probably warn somebody who asked about the no smoking rule. Obviously people expect that inside, but I’ve never come across a place that doesn’t let you do so on a balcony or in a communal garden area. We also heard a strange rumour that before we moved in dogs were banned from the communal garden area because somebody was moaning about noise. I think that’s a shame and can’t imagine ever being annoyed by a dog. I suppose I worry slightly (and it is only slightly) that one person raising their voice unreasonably might affect other tenants in the block. This is a concern for us because we definitely want to get a dog at some point.

What is the best feature of your home:

The best feature is definitely the living space because it’s open and comfortable and very spacious while still managing to include all necessary amenities.