Briggs Close, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1

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

We decided to move to New Fountainbridge after relocating from Sydney to Edinburgh in March. We loved the area when we visited in 2023 and it's perfectly located for our family near shops, the centre and the local school. We've found the area to be a great location for young families who want to be near to the centre and don't mind the hustle and bustle of the city (although the area is much more relaxed than city centres like Sydney or London!). People have been really friendly and the local cafes and pubs excellent. For larger supermarket shops, we need to get a bus or light rail but getting about is quick and easy. We also love being near the Princess Street playground and the Meadows, both a short bus ride or walk away.

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

We had a few items requiring attention from the inventory inspection. The team allocated someone to look and resolve these within 24 hours. If we need to speak to someone, we can walk 2 mins to the office and get advice or support as needed.

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

Having access to guest wifi in the building, even for a few days would have been great as we were getting set up with our internet and mobile phones. Also a local area guide, listing supermarkets, transport etc would have been handy, but not an issue as so much is easy to to find online.

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

Wellington place is such a great place to live, given the variety of coffee shops, food spots, proximity to the river, security and safety, as well as greenness. Right in the city centre, it’s easy to get to the train station and explore Leeds, and suitable for walks around the block in a green space.

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

Very helpful! Everyone tries to help in any way they can -both during the morning and the night shift. Joshua, Clinton and Keira have been immensely supportive, and the guys during the night shift (can’t remember their names I am afraid) have helped us with matters of bins and heating. Thank you, everybody!

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

I would love to know whether tenants could offer actual workshops. It’s great to get external practitioner for team-building purposes, but accommodating also tenants’ services could really increase their sense of belonging and identity.

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

There are a lot of good aspects of living in the local area. It is easy to access transport, local shops, and other facilities. Everything is a short walk away which is really useful. It’s nice to have the ability to walk into the city centre and be able to access shops and restaurants. One negative aspect of the local area is that there are no large supermarkets nearby. The local shops are a Tesco express, and a Sainsbury’s local which are both smaller and result in more expensive options.

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

Throughout the tenancy, building management has typically responded well to any problems or issues. Staff are helpful, polite, and quick to respond. When there have been issues relating to maintenance, or general complaints or queries, this has been handled swiftly. Clinton has been extremely helpful, answering questions and passing on essential information quickly. He is a friendly, efficient and reliable member of staff.

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

I wish I had known about the sounds from upstairs as it can sound very loud and antisocial.

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

The location is within walking distance of the train station, close to a Wellington Place for job opportunities, right next to the canal (great for walking and staying active), and also quite quiet given it is close to the city. It is a nice blend of city living and calmness. Parking is a very limited if you own a car. However, it is so close to the city centre and train station that a car is not needed. I appreciate that this would be an issue for some people, though.

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

Building management have been great. A credit to the landlord for picking the management team and staff. I could not expect any more from the management than they provide already. Top class A specific shoutout to Clinton. Since moving in, Clinton has been a positive vibe, always smiling and always willing to deal with any problems or support where possible. He is reliable and very visible around the apartment complex. He is a pleasure to interact with.

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

One thing I wish I had known is how delicate the flooring is. Initially, I felt that it would cause issues with receiving my deposit back, but we were reassured that the furniture-flooring combination is known to cause a few issues here and there and that it is not the fault of the tenants.

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

Its a great community to live in, location is good, public spaces are well maintained, there's local shops not too far away, and the train station is just down the road. The area is quiet, but not too secluded that it becomes an inconvenience to get to where you need to go in the city.

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

There are always maintenance issues with a larger property, and some issues do take a while to resolve, but its nothing that isnt communicated about openly, and often isnt in the direct control of the property so its not a massive issue. 95% of things run smoothly and effectively.

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

There is a great social scene that is actively fostered by the property staff, and i regret not engaging with it sooner.