Homes by PIC

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

Living in Arbour in Milton Keynes offers a mixed experience. The area boasts a wide variety of restaurants within a short 5-minute walk, making dining out convenient and enjoyable. The nearby train station is just a 12-minute walk away. The only downside I can think of is the distance and accessibility of big stores for those unable to drive or walk long distances. The area's open spaces provide pleasant spots for relaxation and outdoor activities. Overall, Arbour in Milton Keynes combines convenience with vibrant dining options and decent parking, although issues like transport links and noise levels should be considered.

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

The building management has responded pretty quickly and efficiently to any problems I’ve raised. They are usually helpful and resolve issues without much delay, which makes living here feel well-supported and stress-free.

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving into Arbour is that the water in the bathroom is temperature-controlled, which means you can’t fully adjust it to your preference. It’s not a major issue, but it would’ve been nice to have more control over the temperature. Also, I probably expected the rent to be a bit cheaper, considering the area. While the facilities and design are great, it’s something to keep in mind for future residents who are budgeting. As well as having to pay for the internet.

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

It's great living in walking distance from the train station and the shopping centre, and there's some good restaurants very close. The only negative for me is I have a young son and to my knowledge there aren't any playgrounds around without going into less safe parts of Milton Keynes.

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

I originally had a very high electricity bill when I moved in. Management installed a larger central radiator which helped and looked into a few other possibilities. Electric radiators are just expensive and this will be felt in the cooler months but should balance out in summer.

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

On the good side, probably just how nice everyone is. It really helps with the day to day.

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

Milton Keynes is a modern, well-planned city known for its excellent quality of life. It offers a unique mix of urban convenience and natural beauty, with over 5,000 acres of parks, lakes, and green spaces, including popular spots like Willen Lake and Campbell Park. The city’s efficient grid road system and extensive Redway network make it easy to get around by car, bike, or foot. Milton Keynes is also ideal for commuters, with fast train links to London (about 35 minutes) and easy access to the M1. It has a thriving economy with strong job opportunities, especially in tech, logistics, and finance. The area is family-friendly, with good schools, leisure centres, and entertainment venues such as Xscape and the Milton Keynes Theatre. A wide range of housing options, modern infrastructure, and plenty of amenities make it a great place for families, professionals, and anyone seeking a balanced, active lifestyle.

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

I have no had any problems - spilled a drink once just outside my door. it stained. Flagged it on the app and it was sorted next day

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

Nothing - I knew everything before moving in as family members live there

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

10 mins walk to train station, bars, shops, restaurants are around. Police station is across the street, need to get used of sirens

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

Did as much as they could, some of the issues couldn't be resolved due to specific of the building

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

Hot water is not really hot because of new laws restrictions. So I cannot take a bath, too cold

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

Very close to central MK, can walk into town in 15 minutes. 5 minutes walk from the hub bars and restaurants. Parking is very expensive though £75 a month for a pass here or £6.5 a day in the bays outside. Rooms are soundproof to traffic but police station outside still comes through and super noisy main road if the windows are open

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

Dismissive, or in some cases simply not replied unless I send multiple chase emails or find them in person. I’m still waiting on a complaint reply from 2024 and it’s April now

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

I wish I had known how unfriendly and welcoming reception would be. Me and my partner now use the side lifts to avoid walking through reception when possible. They never say hello or even smile back to us when we walk past and we’ve given up now. I wish we had known that the coworking, gym and 13th floor spaces were not 24/7. I work nights so using coworking after 11pm for video calls whilst my partner slept in our tiny apartment was a huge sale point as well as the 24/7 gym for him (he even cancelled his 24/7 puregym and had to resign up after realising this cause it’s kind of useless to us now). The 13th floor closing at 11 also REALLY sucks, they wouldn’t even let us keep it open by an hour on NYE to watch the fireworks and in summer that will end events so abruptly. The internet they force you to use here is also not private which is a terrible choice for those who need to work from home because it’s unsecured