I love my perfect little Pocket flat. Pocket Living have enabled me to get onto the market in an area I never thought possible. The great thing about Pocket is that is it for those who live or work in the borough where the development is – plus they price 20% below the market value. So having that combined with Help To Buy enable to get onto the ladder!
The flat is a perfect one-bedroom space. It comes with no radiators, no bath etc to make space for more room. The flat is very well designed – with the perfect cupboard spaces for a washing machine and storage in the hallway.
One item that was missing when I move in though, was a wardrobe – it would have been great to have a fitted wardrobe in the spec (as I know they have provided this in their other developments).
There are only 32 flats in our development, all neighbours are super friendly and we have become a little community. Even having building drinks & bbqs on our communal rooftop terrace which overlooks the city skyline & olympic park.
I love the open aspect to the building – keeps everything fresh and airy. However, I feel that more consideration should have been put into the security design of the building by Pocket/the architects. For example, the first floor wall is low enough for individuals on the street to jump over and gain access to the building (this happened resulting in stolen bikes and parcels). Plus, for the first year (& ongoing) we have had security issues with the design and functioning of the front gates.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
I personally love the area, having lived in the area for the past 3 years before buying my flat in this development. There is always something new going on, a new pop-up, a new bar, new restaurant, new market but it also has a great neighbourhood/community feel! With London Fields, Victoria Park and Chatsworth Road on my doorstep – what isLastly, with so much development going on (not only in the surrounding streets) but also in the whole area, this flat is certainly a worthwhile investment. not to love! Also, a Coop (with long opening hours) on my street corner, a Tesco Metro a 5 minute walk away, and a huge Tesco 5 minutes in another direction. No supermarket hassle!
As Pocket buys ‘cheaper’ land to build on, we are situated next to the overground line, so it is noisy (especially those freight trains’. However, I am so accustomed to it now – I barely notice. Plus, it is rather ideal being smack bang in the middle of Homerton overground station and Hackney overground station, 5 or 7 minutes walk to each of them respectively. Plus, a 10 minute walk to Hackney Downs station which takes you into Liverpool Street Station in under 10 minutes.
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
1. Varnish/seal your floors before moving your furniture into your flat. Unfortunately, our floors were not sealed & we were provided with the wrong care instructions by Pocket. Most residents now have water stains on their flooring – which Pocket is not rectifying.
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