The apartment design is well thought-out (hidden storage etc., furnishings and fittings that fit the space), the furniture is stylish, and there are a few other nice touches (textured wallpaper in the living room, for example) that make the place feel a bit nicer than the standard white-walled boxes you can rent elsewhere. My own apartment building is a bit too close to facing the balconies of the flats opposite, so this is something to consider in choosing an apartment The development is not currently full, so I’m not sure how this will affect living in the long-term, when the place fills up more.

The clubroom was a great feature (until lockdown closed it), although some users were occasionally selfish and would come in and start watching films without headphones while people were clearly in there working from home quietly. Parking is a problem, and I think £10 a day is too steep for residents to park on the street outside (£5 would be fairer).

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

The development is within walking distance of the city and easy travel distance (by regular bus from the main road nearby or 45 minute walk) of the University of Manchester. There’s not a lot to do in the direct area, but there’s a large Sainsburys 5 minutes down the road, a JD Sports gym, and a small Co-op and local bar on the development itself. This generally suits me very well (although more green space would have been nice during Covid lockdown!), but would be less suited to someone who wants to be right in the city centre.

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

I wish I had considered how close to the balconies opposite my own balcony would be (but this has been exacerbated by lockdown and everyone having to stare at each other all day every day!)

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

Very quickly and comprehensively. Everyone I have interacted with has been professional and willing to help.

The apartment itself is great: well finished, large for the area, although the communal areas aren’t upkept as much as they should be.

Moving in was a breeze, and GetLiving are pretty quick to fix issues that are raised about the flat or other areas of the village. They’re not always super fast or forthcoming, as some issues are fixed with bodgejobs rather than fixed properly.

We’ve had some issues with loud parties late at night: noise reverbates and travels from the winter balconies, echoing around the internal courtyards.

It’s also expensive, paying at the top end of the full zone 2 market although EV is a little further out than most z2 areas. Yearly inflation rentals are fine, but we have been shocked by the amount which our contract was renewed at (and not looking forward to next year).

Overall, we’d 100% recommend East Village and Get Living.

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

The area is great for getting into work in the city or Canary Wharf. Being so close to Westfield is great for shopping and little bits. Sainsbury’s isn’t open proper hours, which is annoying at weekends.

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

Facing into the courtyard is great, but bad neighbours can make it not so good.

The building management team is also very responsive and helpful. Any issues or concerns that I have had have been addressed promptly and professionally. The building is kept very clean, and the common areas are well-lit and well-maintained.

In terms of property management, I have had a good experience so far. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and they are always available to answer any questions or concerns I may have. Rent payments and other administrative tasks are easy to manage through their online portal.

Overall, I highly recommend this development to anyone looking for a modern and well-maintained building with excellent facilities and attentive management.

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

One of the positive aspects of living in my local area is the abundance of green spaces, with several parks and open areas providing a relaxing escape from the urban environment. These spaces are well-maintained and provide a range of recreational activities for both adults and children. In addition, the easy access to these green spaces is a huge pro, as they are within walking distance of many residential areas. This makes it easy for residents to enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air and exercise.

I also really enjoy the local coffee shop, Signorelli. The price is a bit higher, but the quality of the pastry and breakfast make life better. It would be amazing if we could have a more quality local coffee shop opened to provide residents with more options.

However, there is one negative aspect that should be mentioned. The local bars can sometimes be noisy in the evening, and when there is an event, the noise can continue until around 11 pm, which can be a nuisance for some residents, particularly those living in close proximity. Despite this, the overall positive aspects of the local area far outweigh this minor drawback.

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

Overall, I am very satisfied with my living experience in Get Living. However, one issue I have encountered is that parcel deliveries can be tricky at times. On occasion, I have lost parcels inside the building, and without CCTV it is difficult to determine where they have gone. In my opinion, more attention should be paid to the security of the inside of the building to prevent such incidents from occurring. Despite this issue, my overall experience with Get Living has been positive.

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

Personally, I am very satisfied with the building management team. Whenever I have needed maintenance on my flat, they have been quick to respond and resolve any issues efficiently. The maintenance team is both friendly and professional, and I appreciate their dedication to ensuring the building is well-maintained. Overall, I am quite happy with their service.

The flats are nicely furnished, common spaces are kept clean, anything broken is fixed quickly. All great on that front.

However I must admit that I am no longer happy with the quality of life in this development considering the premium rent price one has to pay to live here. The main problem is constant noise coming from the dog area in the courtyard which Get Living introduced some time ago. It’s very difficult to enjoy a nice peaceful summer evening in the flat with the sound of ~10 dogs barking echoing between Get Living towers. Some residents tend to play with their furry friends in the courtyard even as late as 11pm or as early as 7am and locking windows to reduce the sound is only viable during winter as flats get hot during summers.

In short, if you decide to live here, prepare your sleep pattern to be adjusted.

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

There’s a lot of restaurants in the area and a big Sainsbury’s in the building. Great for public transport with bus stops next to the building, 2 tube lines 5min walk away and a train station with trains to Gatwick and Luton airports across the street.

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

Level of noise generated by dog courtyard and constructions in the area

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

Yes, we had few things break in the flat over the years however all issues were resolved very quickly.