The James, Manchester, M4

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

I think the overall property is excellent, I love the old red brick and open design of the apartment. Having all the furniture here already was a huge touch for us, and internet included. Especially the gym which has everything you need. For us, the only annoying thing is on the weekends the northern monkey is sometimes too loud, or down the alley ways there is a lot of drunk people being anti-social. If we could get the Northern Monkey bar to turn down the music a fraction it would be amazing!

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

Very respectable and responsive, got things done quickly for us.

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

We wish we got told about the noice from downstairs. Obviously we knew and wouldn’t have changed our position but it would have been nice to be told.

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

Living in the heart of Manchester city centre feels vibrant, convenient, and very well-connected. You’re a stone’s throw from great restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural venues. For someone who thrives on city energy and values walking or public transport over driving, it’s a really good fit. But if you want peaceful streets, lots of private outdoor space, or easy car parking, you might sometimes feel the compromises.

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

They’ve generally responded quickly and professionally. Most issues I’ve raised—like minor repairs or communal-area concerns—were acknowledged promptly and resolved within a reasonable time. Communication has been clear, and follow-ups were made to ensure everything was sorted properly.

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

One thing that only becomes clear after living here is how quickly the lack of storage starts to matter. Even though it was obvious during the viewing, you don’t fully appreciate how limited it is until you’re trying to store everyday things like cleaning supplies, luggage, or seasonal items.

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

Living at The James is amazing. It’s central to everything. The Arndale shopping centre is across the road with loads of shops and restaurants. Across the other way is The Vue with movies bars and restaurants. We are close to 2 tram stops and Victoria station is a stone’s throw away. It’s a short walk to Deansgate and other designer stores. The area is very vibey which makes it a bit noisy on weekends but the beautiful apartment makes up for it.

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

Yes. Our lock on the front door broke and it was dealt with immediately.

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

The noise from the club downstairs can get loud. I think it would bother some people. I don’t mind the music.

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

Locality to shops is excellent and personally for work, it's great. Parking outside is very difficult if needed but that's too be expected in it's location

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

They've always responded fairly quickly and give a positive response

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

I don't think there's anything I regret not knowing.

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

Vibrant area with great transport, amenities, and culture, though busy and sometimes a bit noisy. Rent, parking, and eating out tend to be more expensive compared to surrounding areas.

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

They’ve responded quickly and professionally, addressing issues promptly and keeping residents updated.

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

Storage space is limited at times, so organising belongings can be a bit challenging.