Ekco Park, SS2

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

The development is in a great area. Aldi is right next door which is perfect and extremely handy. There’s a pub/restaurant right round the corner which serves great food and has a lovely outdoor space that allows dogs too. Southend airport is within walking distance (20 mins) with even more shops to choose from. Prittlewell train station is also within walking distance (15 mins) and runs very frequently, starting early and finishing late which is very handy for London workers. Priory park is right next door with an abundance of green space and a great place to walk dogs, have a picnic, or just a morning/evening walk. Some more food choices around the corner (10 min walk) such as Chinese food, Subway, bakery, etc. Traffic noise is fine, the roads on the development are generally quiet. Parking can be a bit chaotic at times, but everyone has their designated spot(s). Bin collections are fine with some dog poo bins available at the start and end of the development. A very friendly and neighbourly development, with everyone looking out for each other.

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

Not all issues - e.g gardening. They don’t remove the weeds, they just mow over them so they return within a week or 2.

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

I told the building management company they should make a ‘tip’ sheet for first time buyers. As they were marketing at this demographic, there were a lot of things I didn’t know - how to turn the water on for the dishwasher and washer/dryer. How to configure the existing cabling to allow satellite TV (they were going to send an engineer out until I played around with it enough - they themselves should have a troubleshooting guide). Etc.

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

Southend is a good place to live. You’re near the seafront, shops and restaurants but not close enough that it’s noisy. The town isn’t as safe as it used to be, but hopefully that can be changed. Lots of very nice places near by, and being right next to Priory Park is great! Train lines to London within 10-15 minute walk Parking is terrible. Only one space per household and VERY limited visitor bays. People also park on a sharp bend as you enter the estate, which is bound to cause an accident one day. Anti social behaviour is as bad as anywhere in Southend I would say. I feel safe around, but has the odd incident (around 1 a month I would say of some sort) Traffic noise is ok! Near a main road and train line but never too loud.

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

They came and fixed some bits within my first 6 months, however was supposed to be able to use this for 12 months - they said as it is the building age (and not how long I have lived there for) they couldn’t come out after the 6 month period (but how will things get picked up and worn if no one is there….?)

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

Due to the area, we sometimes get an unpleasant smell from the waste treatment plant on the other side of the railway. I wish someone told me this when I moved in as it has been 3 years of having to close the windows sometimes in the heat of summer! (Not all the time, but too often for it not to be mentioned) - apparently the council is working on this and so far for 2023, there are no issues (yet!)