Lockdown Return To The UK For Retired Couple

While for many, lockdown has put a distance between families, the pandemic has brought one retired couple closer to their children and grandchildren by moving home.

Having sold their three-bedroom house with a pool in France and moved back to Yorkshire in the space of a few months, Graham and Janet Beevers successfully met the challenges of buying a brand new home during lockdown – thanks to Linden Homes.

The couple are now settled into their new four-bedroom home at the Cayton Reach development in Middle Deepdale near Scarborough, just a few miles from one of their daughters and Janet’s sister.

Keen golfers Graham and Janet originally bought their property in Eymet, in the Dordogne region, as a holiday home. But in 2004, they moved there permanently from Leeds.

Janet (70) explained: “We only planned to stay there for two years, but it turned into 16! We enjoyed the lifestyle, the wine and the weather and made many English and French friends. However, after chatting with family, we thought long and hard about moving back to Yorkshire and started the process by researching Linden Homes online. We thought that buying a new home from overseas – as well as the pandemic restrictions on travel – might be challenging, but the experience has been very smooth, and we have been kept informed every step of the way.

“For anyone thinking about moving home, our message is ‘Got for it!’ Don’t be put off by these unusual times, you can work with your developer to achieve your goal.”

After studying the Cayton Reach development plans online, the couple selected their preferred plot and Janet’s sister Lisa and daughter Helen were able to visit and view the home on the Beevers’ behalf; sending videos over to France.

Janet, whose mum owned a B&B in Scarborough, has fond memories of the coastal resort and says it is comforting to be ‘home’ and close to their three daughters and nine grandchildren.

Graham (71) added: “The first time we saw the house was when we moved in a few weeks ago and we were amazed at how spacious it actually was. We have enough room for visitors, family and grandchildren to stay – once government restrictions are lifted – as well as using some of the space for a study area.”

Linden Homes also went the extra mile for the couple, fitting hand rails into the home to assist Janet – who missed out on post-surgery physiotherapy due to the pandemic – with her mobility in climbing the stairs.

As well as meeting up with family in person, the couple are also looking forward to joining one of the local golf clubs. In the meantime, they are enjoying walks on the nearby beach and they are putting their own stamp on their new home.

Cayton Reach is just a short drive or 30-minute walk from Cayton Bay and just over three miles from the town centre. It boasts good amenities including a nearby medical centre, schools for all ages and good transport links into central Scarborough. Prices start from £178,950.

Find out more about Cayton Reach from Linden Homes.

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