Briggs Close, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1

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

This is a great central location in Woking with easy access to shops and restaurants. Train station and bus stops are located very close by. Parking is all part of the Victoria Place shopping centre, which is expensive, but does provide a covered area for your vehicle.

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

The maintenance team are always on hand. Management are happy to be communicated with directly.

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

I would highly recommend viewing different floor plans to see what is right for you, as the small differences can help decision making.

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

Location is brilliant, you are literally above a shopping centre which has a good variety of shops, there is also a wide variety of cuisines around and also a good range of bars. There is also an escape room, the arcades, theatre, cinema and even a culinary experience at the Gordon Ramsay Academy and only 5 minutes walk away from the train station that can quickly get into London Waterloo in 30 minutes.

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

There is an app which you can log and see the status of your issues, we had a few issues but were resolved pretty much the same day, or if there was a missing piece, then you would get an update via the app or a phone call.

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

I guess if I had to nitpick, if you're on the lower levels, you can hear the trains go by, but it doesn't really bother us, we've been here for 6 months now and so far so good!

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

Great location with excellent transport links, cafés, bars and green spaces nearby. The area feels lively, always safe and well maintained.

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

Building management has been responsive, professional and quick to resolve issues raised by residents.

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

I wish I had known how convenient and walkable the area would feel day to day. Everything from cafés and restaurants to transport links and green spaces is close by, and the building has a much stronger community atmosphere than expected from a city-centre development.

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

Living on the canal side of The Arches is incredibly convenient. From the side entrance, there is a Londis less than two minutes away, and the new Sainsbury’s on Highcross Street is right by the main entrance for larger shops. Being so close to a Big Tesco on Narborough Road, Aldi on Woodgate, Highcross, and Jubilee Square means everything you need is within walking distance, including great spots like Wygston’s House. The building is well-set up with two large communal bin areas and two very secure bike storage zones, which is a huge plus. While street parking is permit-only and can get busy, the permit zone is quite wide, so I’ve always been able to find a space nearby. It’s a fantastic location that balances city-centre access with the slightly quieter feel of the canal bend.

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

We’ve had a few issues, but the management team has generally handled them with a lot of care. For instance, our cooker hob shattered on Christmas Eve, which was a nightmare timing-wise. While it took a few weeks to get a permanent replacement, Mia and Abbie were very supportive and even let us use a vacant flat to cook in so we could still cook during the weeks waiting. My only real gripe was with the third-party contractors they hired; they cut the power to my flat without warning while I was working from home, which caused me to lose work on my computer. A simple heads-up would have gone a long way! We’ve also had a bit of a miss with the window cleaners lately—our side of the building (the canal side) seems to have been skipped, so the windows are still quite dirty. Hopefully, the team can get them back out soon! On the security side, there is occasionally some noise or trouble from the nearby student accommodation. Still, it’s reassuring that we have on-site security and good connections with the local police. Despite the odd city-centre incident you might see in the news, I’ve generally felt that the building is a safe and well-managed bubble.

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

I wish I had known just how much there is to take advantage of here! First, don’t ignore the building app or the event posters; Mia and Abbie put so much effort into the social nights, and they are honestly the best way to meet your neighbours. If you work or study from home, keep in mind that the private study rooms are popular and can get snatched up quickly, so it’s worth heading down early or exploring the various 'hidden' cubbies and desks in the communal areas

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

The local area has been really good to live in overall. There’s a solid mix of shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and bars nearby, so everything you need is pretty much within easy reach. It’s also nice having green spaces and parks close by, which makes it easy to relax or go for walks when needed. Transport links are very convenient as well, with regular buses and good train connections that make getting into town or other nearby areas simple and stress-free. On the street itself, things are generally calm and well organised. It feels safe, clean and well looked after, with bin collections done properly and minimal disruption. Parking can get a bit tight at busy times, but nothing major. Overall, it’s a comfortable and easy place to live with a good balance of convenience and peace.

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

The building management team has responded very well to any issues raised. Clinton is amazing, always quick, reliable, and very professional in dealing with problems. He handles concerns efficiently, communicates clearly, and goes above and beyond to make sure everything is sorted properly. Overall, the service has been excellent.

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 much the management and community make a difference to the overall experience. The building is very well run, and issues are handled quickly and professionally, which is not always something you can fully see during a viewing. I would also say it’s worth knowing how convenient the facilities are in everyday life, especially the gym and shared spaces, which really improve the living experience. Overall, it has been a very positive place to live, and I would advise new neighbours to take full advantage of the facilities and how well the development is managed.