Elmsbrook, OX27

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

Bin collection is 9/10, the cafe in the Business Centre is family-run and a great meeting point on Friday mornings. It’s peaceful with no traffic noise thanks to the triple glazing and it’s relatively rural area. Many houses have cameras installed and we have a group chat where we can share any anti-social behaviour in order to nip it in the bud.

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

They were prompt about a couple of minor snags, such as a replacing a screw in one of the faucets which had oxidised. Everything works perfectly. The house is well-insulated, it keeps the heat in, when it’s cold,m; and the house is cool in the hot Summer, provided the blinds are used at the right times, of course.

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

There should be cameras in the glass recycling area as (although rare) it has been used as a place to dump random things which need to be taken to a tip. I also wish it had a pub which served organic dishes. Due to variously reasons, there has been a delay in completing other parts of the development. I hope it is finished soon.

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

Living in this area is mostly great. The area is clean, and the community is friendly, with helpful neighbours all around. While on-street parking is very limited, each house does have its own garage and driveway, which helps. The estate is really missing a grocery shop, which would have been incredibly convenient. Bin collections are reliable, and there's minimal traffic noise or anti-social behaviour, making it a peaceful and pleasant place to live. Open spaces are available, though they could benefit from more attention and upkeep.

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

I wish I knew that there is no plan to build a grocery shop. I was told that it will be build within a year of us moving in, however after 3 years here we still do not have a shop that we can walk to.

What is the best feature of your home:

Solar panels and wall insulation. The house is warm in winter and does not require much heating.

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

Amazing neighbours, beautiful area to live in. You couldn’t get a better community of people to live amongst.

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

How awful A2 Dominion is to deal with. Otherwise all good.

What is the best feature of your home:

The area, the size of the property for your money.

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

The good aspects, the communal grow beds are great to use, close to the fields. It's quiet, there are regular buses in case we need it. Our elderly neighbours use it often. We share one electric car which we charge at home in the parking spot. I share the car with my husband and we are happy with our 2 parking spaces: one for visitors. 20-30 mins to the nearest shop, so I prefer to drive. Only issue, sometimes, there are discarded rubbish by the glass collection point which is a pity. Some neighbouring houses in Phase 3 leave broken bikes and bins lying around which annoys me. They should be warned/penalised.

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

To check for snags in the garden and shed as the felt on the shed roof had to be replaced already (5 years in)

What is the best feature of your home:

The triple glazing, the patio doors and garden. The solar panels and underground water collector.

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

There is a bus every 30min that can take you to the nearby shops, there are play areas and outdoor gyms.

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

Unfortunately this could be improved with better time frame for improvements

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

The heating and hot water is paid separately and we were not informed about the standing charges when buying the house.