The Forum, B5

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

Living in my local area is generally very pleasant. There’s a good range of shops, restaurants, and bars nearby, offering a variety of cuisines and essentials. Open spaces and parks are well-maintained, making it easy to enjoy outdoor activities. Public transport links are convenient, with frequent buses and nearby train stations, though traffic can get heavy during rush hour. My street is quiet and friendly, with decent parking availability and reliable bin collections. Anti-social behaviour is rare, and overall, it’s a safe and welcoming place to live

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

Kary and Sajina from the building management team have been very responsive and professional, always addressing issues promptly and keeping residents well-informed.

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

I wish I had known that parking spaces are very limited and not available to all residents, as I do not have a dedicated parking space. It would have helped to plan alternative parking arrangements in advance. However, the community here is very friendly and welcoming, which is a big positive

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

The local area is generally convenient and student-friendly. There are several shops, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance, offering a variety of options. Public transport links are reliable, with regular buses and trains making it easy to reach the city centre. The neighbourhood is mostly quiet and safe, with clean streets and decent lighting at night. Bin collections are consistent, and I haven’t experienced any anti-social behaviour. One minor downside is the occasional traffic noise during rush hours, but overall it's a pleasant area to live in.

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

The building management has been generally responsive and helpful. Whenever I raised an issue, it was usually addressed within a reasonable time. While not everything was resolved immediately, the team – especially Kary – always followed up and made an effort to assist. Overall, I’m satisfied with how things were handled.

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

Also, the heating system can take a little time to get used to, especially during the colder months. I would recommend new tenants check it properly on the first day. Apart from that, I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet and peaceful the building is—even during exam seasons, it remains a good environment for studying and resting. A tip for new neighbours: be proactive in communicating with the building staff—they are super helpful and responsive, especially Kary!

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

I’ve really enjoyed living in this apartment. The location is super convenient and easily accessible to town, which makes commuting and errands so much easier. The security here is top-notch. It’s clear they take residents’ safety seriously, which gives real peace of mind.

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

The building management has been responsive and professional whenever I’ve raised any issues. They address concerns promptly and communicate clearly throughout the process, which really shows their commitment to maintaining a high standard of living for residents.

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 was the actual gym opening hours. I was initially informed by the previous management team that it would be accessible earlier in the mornings, but that turned out not to be the case. It was a bit disappointing at first, but aside from that, everything else has met my expectations and I’ve been very happy living here.

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

The local area is vibrant and very well connected. There are plenty of nearby supermarkets, cafés, and restaurants within walking distance, which makes everyday living very convenient. Public transport options are excellent, with multiple bus routes and a nearby train station. The area feels safe, and there are several green spaces for walking and relaxing. Occasionally, bin collection delays happen during holidays, but it’s usually well managed. Overall, it's a pleasant and lively neighbourhood.

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’ve had a problem. They typically reply within a day or two and take action efficiently. In particular, Kary has been exceptionally kind and supportive—she truly goes above and beyond to help residents and makes the process feel personal and smooth.

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

One pleasant surprise was how quiet and well-maintained the building is. It’s also worth knowing that the management team is very approachable, especially Kary, who is incredibly kind and helpful. If you ever have any issues, you’re in good hands. Also, getting to know your neighbors early can make the experience even more enjoyable.

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

The Forum is in a superb location within short walking distance to the two main train stations, namely New Street and Moor Street. Even for slow walkers like myself it won't take more than 10 minutes. It does lack proximity to bigger super markets, only local stores are in close walking distance, but this can be sorted if one does bigger grossery shopping or gets deliveries. It is in a very vibrant area of Birmingham, next to bars and restaurants, sometimes it's true too vibrant, however this mostly happens in weekends and days off. The location is really great, the proof is that I haven't changed for the whole duration of my stay in Birmingham (six years)

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

The building management always responds to problems or issues I have raised through the years and they make sure those are get sorted in the less possible time.

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

I can't say that I came up to something that I wish I had known before, except for the fact that I'm a smoker and I didn't know that the only place to be able to smoke was out in the street, rain or shine (mostly rain and wind). So if anyone is a smoker, they should take that into consideration. Smoking is strictly forbidden in the premises, also in outer spaces. Another tip that I could give, is to be careful with how many things you accumulate, as the storage spaces are limited.