Rachel’s Wish For Waterside Living Fulfilled
Rachel Stares grew up in Chichester and has always had a love affair with the water – and has made her wish come true by purchasing a property at Rochester Riverside, a development from Countryside/Hyde on the River Medway in Kent.
Previously living in a one-bedroom flat in West Malling, she has upsized to a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the river.
Rachel said: “I have lived all over the country but I have always dreamed of owning a property in a beautiful location, surrounded by water – making the choice to move to Rochester easy. I chose Rochester Riverside because I wanted to stay in Kent and be able to excel into the next stage in my life. It made sense to move to Rochester Riverside as I got all of it for an affordable price.
“The main reason I chose Rochester was for the water; I now own a property that looks out onto the water, a lifelong dream. I get to spend my weekends exploring the area and going for walks around the riverside. I also have room for family and friends to come stay, and to enjoy the benefits of waterside living with them makes it even more special.”
She used Countryside’s Assisted Move scheme – an initiative by the housebuilder which supports purchasers with their move and means they can avoid some of the hassles of the property chain. As part of the scheme, Countryside organises three independent valuations and handles the sale of the property from beginning to end.
Rachel continued: “It seemed like a no-brainer to use Assisted Move as it took out all of the stress that comes with the house moving process. I did my homework but using Assisted Move was the best option by far.”
West Malling is only 10 miles from Rochester, so Rachel knows the Medway area well, and was drawn by its attractive town centre, independent shops, boutiques and amenities. Rochester is also steeped in history, boasting both a historic castle and cathedral.
She said: “Rochester is a great town with so much history. The amenities onsite at Rochester Riverside, combined with the high street, has everything I need – I hardly ever use my car. I love living within walking distance of the town. All of the shops are boutiques, making the town feel unique and individual.”
Connectivity is a key feature of Rochester Riverside development. It is located within a three-minute walk of the station which provides frequent service to London St Pancras (via High Speed) and London Victoria (National Rail), both offering services to further destinations. It’s vital for Rachel, who is travelling regularly for her work in the property sector.
“My job means I am based all around the country, resulting in the frequent use of trains from Rochester. I also have loads of friends living in London so I’m always on the train to the city at the weekends. I’ve lived in major cities like London and Bristol for many years, so now it is so nice to live a country lifestyle, but have the freedom of being in London in under an hour,” she said.
She is already hgetting to know other residents at the development. “Since I have moved in there have been so many community events, such as various ‘meet the neighbours’ drinks,” she said. “It's so nice to feel a part of a community and everything seems to come with a personal touch. When I arrived, I was greeted by a welcome hamper and a bow on my door.”
A number of new amenities are due to open at the development as Countryside and Hyde look to create a number of new facilities to accompany the existing infrastructure. A new Co-op supermarket and a Costa coffee shop have now also opened, as well as a Travelodge hotel. There will also be a play area and 2.5km river walkway.
Prices at Rochester Riverside start from £217,500 with Help to Buy available. Find out more at www.countrysideproperties.com.
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