Homes by PIC

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

The local area itself is fine; it’s just that it’s right next to Victoria Station, and the announcements from early morning until late at night can be shockingly loud; sometimes audible even with the windows closed. I’ve seen a fight on Cheetham Hill Road (a man kicking a moving car, causing it to stop in the middle of the roundabout) and I’ve been harassed on Ring Road by drunken people. But overall, it still feels within the usual level of European unsafeness. The residents are louder. The rent is quite high, but the management ran a discount campaign at some point for students to share flats or something, I think, and now there are plenty of very young people as well as older residents. Some of the younger ones occasionally party in the hallway and lift area, which can affect your sleep. There are also people who regularly use the co-working space and shout during online meetings, so it’s not really a usable co-working environment.

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

Every now and then, when residents are loud, we contact the management. They say something to them, but it’s just a temporary, quick-fix response, and nothing really changes. We occasionally get emails asking everyone to be mindful, so I’m sure other people are complaining too, but I’m not convinced the management actually cares

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

I wish I had known that the flat would be this loud, both from the station and from the residents.

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

Living in my local area has a mix of positives and negatives. There’s a decent range of local shops, cafés and restaurants, and most day-to-day essentials are easy to access. Open spaces and parks are well-kept and good for walks or relaxing. Transport links are generally convenient, with frequent buses and good access to major routes, though rush-hour traffic can be slow. My street is usually quiet, and parking is available most of the time around the area although it can get tight in the evenings. Bin collections are reliable.

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

Yes but it has taken a lot of weeks to be solved. Some have still not been solved after months of chasing.

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

Wished I had known that parking was not included for the discounted rent apartments.

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

Easy transport links to other areas of Manchester and out of Manchester. Although the property is next to a train and tram station, the noise coming from there is minimal and is not an issue.

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

Yes, and in a very timely manner, they also contact me by phone if I have not responded via email.

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

I wish I would have know about being able to use the parking facilities when moving in.

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

Good location just by Arndale Loads of good restaurants and pubs around Just by the tram line Good parking close by

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

Yes usually resolved very quickly Typically next day

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

For the rent we pay, there’s better options coming up in the area

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

Generally convenient area. It’s very close to a large Tesco and within walking distance of a tube station, which makes it well connected across London. The downside is that there isn’t a huge amount to do immediately nearby in terms of cafés, restaurants or entertainment. Even so, for day-to-day living and transport links, the location works very well.

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

Overall, the building management has been reasonably responsive, but there is still room for improvement. For day-to-day issues they do reply and try to resolve things, though sometimes it can feel a bit slow or like you have to chase for updates on certain repairs.

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

On the positive side, I didn’t fully appreciate before moving in how generous the storage is in the flat.