The Octagon, B3

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

living in this area is really convenient and comfortable. There aren’t many walkable shops right on the doorstep, so you do usually need to drive or get transport to pick things up. However, there’s actually a lot nearby within a short drive. there can be traffic but that is mostly all t city centres

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

All problems i’ve raised were dealt with personally and quickly by lobby staff which i greatly appreciate.

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

Not allowed to have delivery food directly to your door.

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

The local restaurants, especially dishoom . We often get great deals and offers from the restaurants on the paradise estate.

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

The building management have responded in good time manner.

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

I wished I had known about this property earlier, cause it feels like home away from home

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

Negative: no parking at all (besides paying £2,000/year on the parking nearby) and it's overall just an expensive apartment Positive: centrally located, friendly staff, good free gym, beautiful views and apartments

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

We had an issue with the dishwasher and they came and fix it immediately, which was great. I know if I need anything, they'll fix it ASAP.

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

Parking costs. But that's honestly on me. Other than that? Not really anything. I'm happy to live here.

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

Everything is a walkable distance and don’t have to really worry about getting a Uber and transport links are also great

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

Reported an issue I was having with my heating over night and I received a response first thing in the morning to find a way to resolve the issue

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

There is nothing I wish I had known before moving in

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

Overall, living in this area is convenient but comes with some clear trade-offs. The biggest advantage is location: being in the city centre means most daily needs are within walking distance. However, this convenience is balanced by noise, crowding, and some issues with cleanliness and antisocial behaviour. Local shops, restaurants, bars & open spaces The range of local shops and restaurants is very good. There are multiple supermarkets, shopping centres, cafés, and a wide variety of international food options nearby. Restaurants and bars are plentiful, especially around New Street and the Bullring, which is great for choice but also means the area can be very busy, particularly in the evenings and at weekends. Open green spaces are limited within immediate walking distance, and while there are some parks reachable by public transport, the area itself lacks quiet outdoor space. Transport links Transport links are excellent. New Street Station provides strong national rail connections, and local trains, buses, and trams are easily accessible. It is very easy to commute or travel without a car. The downside is that transport hubs get extremely crowded at peak times, and occasional delays or disruptions can be frustrating. Living on the street Living on the street is mixed. Parking is very limited and expensive, making car ownership inconvenient. Bin collections are generally regular, but litter can be an issue due to high foot traffic. Noise from traffic and nightlife is common, especially at night. There is some antisocial behaviour, particularly late evenings on weekends, though this is typical for a busy city-centre location rather than constant or severe.

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

Building management has generally responded in a reasonable timeframe. Most issues were acknowledged and resolved after follow-up, although responses were not always immediate during busy periods.

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

I wish I had known how busy and noisy the area can become, especially during evenings and weekends, as this is not always obvious during daytime viewings. Lifts and shared facilities can also get crowded at peak times. On the positive side, I did not realise how convenient the transport links and nearby shops would be, which makes daily life much easier. My advice to new neighbours would be to consider noise levels and peak-hour usage when choosing a flat, and to plan routines around busy periods.