Coming from a former old social housing complex, this flat was a total game changer for our family of 4. The whole flat is warm and the gas heating is cheap, quick and efficient. The bill for one winter month heating the entire flat is about the same as what we used to spend in our old flat in a winter month, but only heating the electric heater in the lounge and having a freezing cold rest of the flat. This translates to better clothes washing (drying) conditions, improved air quality (as reduced mold risk) and in general more comfortable living conditions.
Gas stove top, full sized fridge, a dish washer and lots of cupboard space are great features for the kitchen.
The bathrooms are well done, although the faucets would be nicer as true mixing ones, not a warm and cold Stan side by side.
In general, most things have lasted quite well considering that the building complex is now relatively dated (15 years) and most things are still original. You can see the signs of wear, but it’s not bad. This includes the communal areas like bin sheds, hallway and carpets, parking area, front door, lift. In the flat itself, all the fittings, windows, carpets and floors are still in good functional shape.
The flat design is well thought out to give maximum privacy from your neighbour while getting the maximum amount of sun.
The houses have lift and stair access which is great and two of the houses (including ours) have semi-underground parking which is a real bonus.
The lawns, hedges and gardens are very well maintained and the land scape workers seem to be here all the time.
Inside the flat we don’t hear our neighbours apart from noises in the hallway. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if neighbours immediately below us could hear the constant running, jumping and loudness of the kids. Also, the vibrations of other people’s washing machines can be felt all the way to our kitchen on the top floor; which is quite noticeable but not bothersome.
One major dislike that we have is the lack of an outdoor tap by the parking lot downstairs. I guess it is to discourage people from “flooding” the semi open basement parking area when they wash their car. We could really use it though to give our bikes, pram or gum boots a quick clean.
Lastly, although this doesn’t affect us at all, we’ve noticed, especially after rainy periods, how the water pools in some corners of ground flats in some of the houses. Coming from a flat with severe mold issues, I do just wonder how detrimental the constant water must be to those portions of the building wall. Maybe a better ground drainage should be considered.
Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:
Great: Parks, Playgrounds, Shops, Nursery (NHS), Hospital in close proximity. Town is very close which is great for shopping, private nurseries. Quiet residential Area with lots of trees, lawns, parking. Housing development is separated from a bigger road by a wall which brings a lot of the benefits I listed above.
Takeaway places, two shopping areas with good transport links (including bus link to airport) are close by. Other good routes for getting a good bus connection is at the bottom of the hill, on the main road to the main hospital.
The beach and further away parks/playground are only a true 12min drive away.
Dislike: This area has a lot of dog owners and unfortunately, there’s a lot of dog fouling. (Doesn’t mean, they’re necessarily from this complex though).
Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:
We had nothing but positive surprises moving in. Maybe a floor plan would have been a little more helpful but that’s at the discretion of the landlord who advertised privately.
How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:
Our Landlady is the owner of the flat we are renting. She is very approachable for any questions or issues we have while respecting our privacy. Any problems with the flat get sorted rapidly and she always follows up the repairs/checks that have been done.
