London exit opens up more new home options in Cambridge
Louise Hutchins has moved into a full-furnished Redrow home in Cambridgeshire, which has given her the chance to escape the stress and cost of London living.
She has relocated to St Neots where she has been able to get onto the property ladder, and she has bought a bigger home in a desirable neighbourhood, which would not have been in her budget in London.
Louise says: “I was renting in West London, which is incredibly expensive, and wanted to buy a beautiful property that was good value for money. For the price I’ve paid for this house I would barely have afforded a studio apartment in London."
“You either have to settle for something the size of a postage stamp to live in a nice area or make a sacrifice about the location. I decided to look at it differently and consider moving further away from the capital. I have friends who live in Potton and they suggested St Neots.”
Louise immediately loved the show home when she visited the Redrow development in the Cambridgeshire town, particularly liking the contemporary design and the open plan design, and she was keen to reserve the ready-made property when it was released for sale.
Louise continues: “I wanted a house rather than a flat, with some outside space and an easy commute to London. It ticked all the boxes. It’s under an hour’s commute to work door to door including the walk to the station. Buying the show home cost a little bit more but it was already decorated and included the light fittings and curtains and even the furniture, so I was prepared to pay more, particularly when you look at London prices in comparison – it’s a no brainer.”
Previously Louise has lived in older properties, including one built in the 1700s which cost her thousands of pounds to fix a dry rot problem and an apartment in a converted Georgian mansion she describes as “beautiful but cold and draughty.”
She adds: “What really appealed about a new build was being able to walk in and everything was done – there’s no maintenance to worry about. Plus being able to take out a Help to Buy equity loan gave me extra spending power. I’d been renting a furnished flat and because I bought the show home I was able to negotiate buying the furniture too so I could move straight in. All I had to do was bring my personal belongings, buy some cushions and kitchen equipment. Redrow were able to take the pressure out of the move. Shelley, the sales consultant, became my guardian angel and it was all incredibly stress-free. I’m better off now as my mortgage is less than my rent used to be. It’s given me financial flexibility.”
All of the Abode style homes in St Neots have now been sold but those looking for a high specification new home in the Cambridgeshire area will find a good choice of Redrow homes at Sanderson Manor in Hauxton and at Alconbury Weald near Huntingdon.
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