Knights Park, CB3

However, we do wish that maintenance fees would be used to better look after the public landscaping. It can look neglected and overgrown; even natural areas need care as the seasons change.
Our villas have issues with the solar panels not working as they should, but work is being done to adjust the height and angles to maximize their efficiency. We appreciate the communications we have had regarding this.

We would also like some more sheltered or semi-covered areas in the square or nearby to gather. For example, where the large, long tables are situated just beyond the Square near the PostDoc building can be extremely windy at the best of times. We would like to use them more often, but would like a windbreak to help.

We are surprised that so few businesses have opened up in Eddington, but I suspect the rent is very high. Can something be done to attract more businesses and offices?

Additionally, the birdblind Fata Morgan Teahouse needs to be looked after. Garbage is left behind, small fires are started by kids, and it feels as if nobody checks in periodically. A few minutes of maintenance every couple of weeks would remedy this. Brook Leys is an asset we all enjoy, and is a welcome escape from the city.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

This location has the best of both worlds; we are minutes from downtown Cambridge by bicycle or bus, yet birdsong, trees and ponds surround us. I like the friendly, quiet and very safe neighbourhood feeling with a mix of ages and ethnicities. Indeed, we enjoy meeting our neighbours regularly and know we can ask for help whenever needed. The schools, grocery store and other shops add to the liveliness. Parking is not a problem, especially as Park & Ride is a five minute walk away. The excellent underground bin collection keeps Eddington tidy as well.

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

Wall to wall carpeting, especially on stairs, is best avoided as it is high maintenance and never as clean as bare floors or rugs that can be shaken out. I do wish the stairs were not carpeted, or had only a runner.

Also, do order your curtains or blinds ASAP. Privacy can be an issue once you move in, so you might need folding screens until the curtains are installed!

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

Yes, it can take a while, and the pandemic made everything more challenging for all. I am confident that things are improving and that the management has not lost sight of priorities.

4

Facilities

4

Design

5

Location

4

Value

3

Management

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Nice Sainsbury’s and a hair salon nearby, but still lacking many other things. Convenient bus with a good route, but some serious timetable issues. Very quiet and peaceful. Personally still probably the best place to live in Cambridge.

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

The bus timetable is very unrealiable, cannot be trusted, especially, at peak hours.

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

I asked something in the building to get fixed. Got a response that it would be done soon. It got fixed over a year later.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Eddington is relatively well managed. However, the customer service team that is supposed find solutions to technical issues in the house during the first 2 years of purchase moves matters very slowly. Issues tend to drag on for months until they are finally resolved.

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

n/a

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

please see comment above – there are some incidents that are still ongoing,

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

The walkable distance of the Sainburys, Argos, and the Dulcedo bakery are key selling points of this property. My friend just moved into a 3/3 and he stated the same convenience of location.

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

How slow management is to respond to broken things in the home.

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

Slow to respond. 3 months to fix heating problems and by the time it was fixed, winter was long gone.

Management fee is a bit too expensive though, and the separate accounts for utility bills and management bills that go to the same company and same bank account are also frustrating.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

With the Turing Locke and Hyatt Centric now in place, the choice of open spaces are excellent with the bar. The park is also nice. Sainsbury super store is 2 minutes walk. Choice of restaurant remains an issue, with only one in Hyatt Centric. There is another cafe plus occasionally food trucks. The only public transport that links it to city centre is the Universal Bus, which is very very very bad. Delays and last minute cancellations of 5+ buses are daily.

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

That U Bus is so unreliable. A car or a bike is crucial.

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

I dislike how the direct debit of bills are handled, which was not really dealt with. But I figured way myself to run it smoothly by now.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

No traffic noice. Parking available. Bin collection could be better. Sometimes a bit noise from environment.

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

Not sure if I have something specifically. Nice place.

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

I did not have so many issue. When I had agency solved for me quickly.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Getting into the centre of town is an easy 10 minutes in a designated, luxurious bus. We can also walk to various places from Storey’s Way, a gorgeous stroll through a natural setting that changes over the seasons. Birdsong is always to be heard, and we might see wildlife if we’re lucky. Here in Eddington, we have a variety of ages and families on our street, which we love. Already, we’ve had gatherings, picnics, art shows, and celebrations. Some Fridays we head over to Dutch for socializing with neighbours. It’s right here, in the hotel near Sainsbury’s. I love meeting a friend over coffee at Dulcedo in the plaza.

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

Ordering curtains or blinds before moving in is a great idea; we didn’t have any neighbours at first, so it was less of an issue, but for people moving in now it is very helpful. Alternatively, get folding screens. They are an inexpensive option that look nice too.

I also wish I would have had some options in the kitchen. I don’t like the cooking range, as it is slippery and all my beloved pots and pans won’t work on induction, so I had to invest in new.

The microwave is very weak, even on the highest setting. Unsure why.

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

Yes, we have been working on problems with the solar panel effectiveness which I think can be fixed relatively easily for maximum benefit.

The construction is excellent, so we haven’t had problems, other than a defective skylight. A layer of class seems to have a manufacturing defect, and shattered.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

Brand new Sainsbury’s a couple of minutes away. Currently just a single bakery and occasional food vans. A bus station getting you to the city centre in around 25 minutes.

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

Poor soundproofing around the front door, everything from the hall is very audible.

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

Quick to respond by email, though it is already more than a month I am waiting for something to get fixed.

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

The main square is still full of vacant shops (not sure if this is COVID related?) it would be good to know what the plans are. Guest parking is a problem, I resent having to pay for my weekly cleaner to park. We should be allowed a certain amount of free hours a year. There are a few things we feel were overlooked in terms of practicalities, there is no communal outside space directly outside out apartment buildings, for residents to gather and children to play (other building s have a shared garden for example) and there is no compost/organic waste disposal or allotments for residents. There is also lots of water pooling in the planted beds.

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

N/a

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

Encore are our building managers – we have experience of them before and expectations are very low!

Please tell us what you like and dislike about this area:

I personally enjoy living in a quiet area. However, I sometimes feel there is a lack of essential facilities around like post office, GP etc. Otherwise pretty good.

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

Deliveroo/Uber eats didn’t reach here until recently. Considering the lack of restaurants around, it was pretty annoying.

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

Yeah, generally the next day. Kept in touch about things that happened during COVID. Appreciated.