Friars Walk, Reading, Berkshire, RG1

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

Ebb and flow is surely the best place to live in Reading, the location is great, the building looks beautiful inside and out and the community team does a great job in looking after all us tenants.

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

Building management responds promptly and attentively

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

Wish i had known this place before, so i could have moved in earlier

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

Area is very convenient and welcoming. The only little drawback is the music heard sometimes until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and coming from a neighbouring bar.

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

The building management team has always responded quickly and efficiently.

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

The only thing that comes to my mind is the Loftliving app and the activities.

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

Living in my area has a nice balance of positives and negatives. There’s a good range of local shops and a few decent restaurants and cafés, though nightlife options are limited. Open spaces are well-maintained and pleasant for walks. Transport links are fairly reliable, with buses and trains available, though peak-time congestion can be frustrating. On my street, parking can be tight, especially in the evenings, and bin collections are generally consistent but occasionally delayed. Anti-social behaviour is rare, though traffic noise is noticeable during rush hours. Overall, it’s a comfortable place to live with room for improvement.

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

Yes The building management responded quickly and professionally when I reported my broken dishwasher. They arranged for a contractor to attend within a short timeframe, kept me updated on progress, and made sure the issue was resolved properly. I felt supported throughout the process and appreciated how straightforward it was to get the problem sorted.

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 strict the development is about noise and gatherings after 10pm. While I completely understand the importance of keeping the community peaceful, it does feel a little restrictive at times, especially when hosting friends or enjoying social evenings. A slightly more flexible approach would make the atmosphere feel friendlier without disturbing others.

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

The Ebb team, Yousra and Veronique have made living here quite pleasant. As a student they have supported all of the needs I had and allowed for a smooth transition into living here. The atmosphere in the lobby is very pleasant and clean, and the amenities such as the gym at and the common kitchen make it’s very practical and social. As for the restaurants, there is amazing service all over the central area and access to a range of different cuisine.

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

We haven’t had many issues in our apartment, however the team have supported my for the utilities payments.

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

I wished I knew about it sooner. It would be great if there were tours of the buildingfacilities during term times.

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

Living in Reading offers a good mix of conveniences and some challenges. The town has a wide range of shops, from big supermarkets to independent stores, and plenty of restaurants and bars offering diverse cuisines. Open spaces like parks are well-maintained and great for outdoor activities. Transport links are generally good, with frequent trains to London and other cities, plus buses serving local areas.

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

They were prompt and attentive, always responding quickly. The 24-hour concierge service is excellent and very reassuring, providing helpful support whenever needed.

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

I wish I had known that the gym is open 24 hours, which is really convenient and something I really liked. On the downside, water and electricity aren’t included in the rent, so those bills can add up more than expected.