More than a place to live: how Arbour is building a community in Milton Keynes
- 23rd Sept 26
Moving home is about much more than finding the right apartment. If you are relocating to a new town or living alone for the first time, feeling safe, welcomed and connected can be just as important as the number of bedrooms or the quality of the kitchen.
At Arbour, a PIC Build to Rent community in Milton Keynes, the focus is on creating a place where residents can settle in, meet people and feel part of something.
For one resident who recently moved from London, that sense of welcome helped make a significant life change feel much easier:
“I was born and raised in London, so moving out has been a big decision for me. I had to make sure I had chosen a place where I felt safe as well as have all the right amenities. Arbour ticks all the right boxes.”
Making it easier to meet people
Living in a new development does not automatically create a community. People need opportunities to meet, talk and form friendships.
Arbour hosts events throughout the year, ranging from book clubs, karaoke and sunset socials to larger summer and Christmas parties. The aim is not simply to fill an events calendar, but to give residents relaxed and enjoyable ways to get to know their neighbours.
This can be particularly valuable for people who have moved to Milton Keynes on their own or are unfamiliar with the area.
As one resident explained: “Living on your own can be hard at first, so it’s really important, I think, to feel safe in a new town. Hence why I love all the different socials the team host.”
Wellbeing with a social side
Health and wellbeing activities offer another way for residents to connect. Arbour regularly hosts classes including Pilates, Box Fit and HIIT & Core, many of which are fully booked.
These sessions make it convenient for residents to stay active without having to travel elsewhere, while offering a friendly alternative to exercising alone.
Alongside the classes, residents have access to a well-equipped gym and a range of indoor and outdoor communal spaces. These include three terraces and a landscaped courtyard where people can relax during the warmer months.
One resident described arriving at Arbour as being “like walking into a hotel”, highlighting the open reception, modern furnishings and variety of places available to work, socialise or unwind.
A home that includes pets
Pets can play an important part in making somewhere feel like home, which is why Arbour is a pet-friendly community.
The team recently organised a professional pet photoshoot, giving residents the chance to have photographs taken with their pets and receive a special keepsake. It also created a natural opportunity for pet owners within the building to meet one another. For residents searching for a rental home where their pet will be welcomed, this can make a meaningful difference.
Looking beyond the building
Arbour’s sense of community also extends beyond its front doors. Residents are encouraged to support local causes through a permanent food-bank donation point in reception and a clothing donation bin. The Arbour community has also taken part in Easter egg collections for bereaved children and raised money for the local YMCA through a charity run and bake sale.
A litter-picking initiative involving the team and residents is helping to care for the neighbourhood around Arbour as well as the development itself. It gives residents an opportunity to work together while making a visible difference to the place they call home.
Finding creative ways to reduce waste
Sustainability is considered when activities and events are planned. Wherever possible, the team reuses or repurposes materials already available on site instead of buying something new.
Arbour’s event stage and bar, for example, were created from leftover materials from the development. It is a simple but practical example of how materials can be given a new purpose while creating something residents can enjoy.
A team residents get to know
Behind the events, facilities and activities is an on-site resident team offering day-to-day support. Residents mention the team repeatedly when describing their experience of living at Arbour, from the warm welcome they received to the help provided throughout the viewing and moving process.
One resident said: “The process from viewing all the way through to moving in has been seamless and the whole team have been extremely supportive and helpful.”
Another described the resident team as “friendly” and said they “really do take care of you”.
That familiar, accessible support can be especially reassuring when someone is settling into a new home or moving to an unfamiliar town.
What makes somewhere feel like home?
Modern apartments, a well-equipped gym, work-from-home spaces, terraces and a secure post room all make everyday life more convenient. But the experience at Arbour demonstrates that feeling at home often comes down to something less tangible: knowing there are people around you, having opportunities to join in and feeling that somebody is there when you need help.
As one resident summed it up: “The apartments are lovely and amenities make for a really comfortable environment… the whole team have been extremely supportive and helpful.”
At Arbour, community is not presented as a single amenity. It is created through the everyday experiences, shared activities and personal connections that can turn a rented apartment into a place residents are proud to call home.