Alma, E1

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

Alma is in a very convenient E1 location, with a great range of shops, cafés, restaurants and bars nearby. Brick Lane, Spitalfields and Shoreditch are all within easy reach, and transport links are excellent with Aldgate East and Liverpool Street nearby. The area can be busy and lively, particularly at weekends, with some traffic and city noise, but this is generally manageable. Parking is limited, although this is expected for central London.

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

Building management always responded quickly and they were friendly and professional. They go the extra mile for you.

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

Actual storage space once you’ve moved your belongings in could be improved. Noise levels at different times when windows are open but when closed the windows are great for keeping noise out. Effectiveness of the heating and cooling systems could be improved.

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

The building has a good range of supermarkets, coffe places and dinning places walking distance - the property management often negotiates discounts or benefits for residents and the tube station right outside.

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

Sattar in maintenance really goes above and beyond, his response is always prompt when something needs attention and he goes above and beyond to help residents.

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

The team makes the process smooth, from ensuring the place is in top condition, to setting things up, to the paperwork, it gave me a lot of confidence in moving in, even when i didn’t see the place beforehand.

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

Alma is in a fantastic location with a wide range of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars all within walking distance. Transport links are excellent, with Aldgate East, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations nearby, making it very convenient to travel across London. The street is generally lively but feels safe, and building management keeps communal areas and bin collections super well maintained.

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

The building management team has been responsive and helpful whenever I have raised an issue. Communication has generally been clear, and any concerns have been addressed in a timely and professional manner. Overall, I have found the management to be extremely friendly and committed to maintaining a positive living environment.

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 in is how busy and lively the area can be, especially during peak hours. While the location is extremely convenient with great transport links and amenities, the surrounding streets can sometimes feel quite fast-paced and noisy compared to what you might expect from a viewing. It’s not necessarily a negative, but it’s something worth being aware of before moving in so you know what to expect day to day.

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

Location is quite good; next to Aldgate East station and ~10 mins from Aldgate Station and ~20 mins from the city by foot. There are quite a few good restaurants near by and I think the Alma team have secured some discounts for residents. Soundproofing and the living space is good.

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

The team has been excellent; helped a lot and made the move-in and move out process very smooth

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

The Alma team organize a lot of free building events which have been really great, for example Yoga sessions, socials during holidays and more

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

The area is very convenient and has a good mix of shops, restaurants and cafes, so daily life is easy.

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

The building management team has usually been helpful and responsive whenever I raised an issue. They communicated clearly and dealt with things in a reasonable amount of time.

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 in is how much the quality of the staff would shape the experience of living here. A typical viewing can show you the building and facilities, but it cannot really show how friendly, patient and helpful the reception and management team are in daily life. That has made a big difference for me. I would also say that if you ever have a question or small issue, it is worth speaking to reception, because they are approachable and usually very helpful.