Alma, E1

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.

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

My wife and I love living in the Alma in Aldgate. Commuting from here is incredibly easy with tube stops at Aldgate East, Aldgate, and Liverpool not far away. There are so many great, affordable restaurants nearby as well that we can easily walk to on Commercial St and Brick Ln. Great pubs as well, the Culpeper and the Buxton are our favorites.

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

They are always responsive and do their best to address any issues that we’ve had right away.

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

Large Sainsburys, Waitrose, and Iceland supermarkets are all within easy walking distance from the Alma. Getting to Heathrow is super easy - from Aldgate East take the District line east to Whitechapel, then change to the Elizabeth line and head west to Heathrow. Usually takes about an hour.

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

The local area is quite convenient and in a safe neighbourhood in general despite in the east side of the city. Perk is many restaurants and grocery stores nearby, including Asian supermarkets, as well as cinema.

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

Facilities are managed properly and timely by the team on-site. There were occasional issues with the central energy system but the team always prioritise and act promptly. If there is any small issues with the apartment, e.g. water leakage, etc. the on-site engineer team take care of it quickly leave your mind at peace.

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

The community host and team were very friendly which helps you to take care of anything you need, from parcel delivery to apartment maintenance. Small downside is that the AC for heating was not very effective during winter (also central standing charge will be on utility bill). This is a hardware issue I think of the equipment and instalment of the system of the building (other instalments in the apartment, e.g. HVAC were good).

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

Living in my local area is great overall. There’s a good range of shops, restaurants, and bars nearby, along with well-kept open spaces. Transport links are convenient and reliable, making it easy to get around. The building itself has bin chutes, which are very convenient, but the council-provided external bins are often overflowing. I don’t park here, so I can’t comment on parking availability. Aside from that, the street is generally quiet, and there are no notable issues with anti-social behaviour or traffic noise.

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

Building management have responded well to any issues raised, communicating clearly and resolving problems promptly and professionally.

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

If you work in the city - it is a huge quality of life improvement to be able to walk to work!