Retired NHS Workers Use Shared Ownership To Move Nearer Family

Former health service workers Martin and Marion Langdon, who are both now in their 70s, moved to a new home at Vistry Group’s Meridian Gate location in June this year.

Marion is unable to drive after suffering from polio as a child, and when Martin had a heart attack last year, the couple realised that living in Norwich was too far from their children and grandchildren. With property prices much higher in Hertfordshire, Shared Ownership was the solution that allowed them to afford a house with a garden.

Martin says: “We realised that if anything ever happened to me, it would be so much harder for Marion to visit the grandchildren if she was left in Norwich on her own. The pressure to find a home closer to our children was heavily increased last year when I suffered a heart attack. It made us realise the importance of being around family.”

Martin and Marion were previously living in a three-bedroom detached house in Eaton, Norwich and have moved to a three-bedroom semi-detached Eveleigh house type at Meridian Gate.

They purchased a 50% share in the property for £205,000 under heylo’s Home Reach scheme and pay rent on the remaining 50% of the home.

Martin says: “We had been looking for some time and realised that prices were much higher in Royston than they were in Norwich, which is why we eventually decided to go for shared ownership. We were looking at buying a flat, however having a garden brings me so much joy, and I was not ready to let that go.

“We decided to buy the Eveleigh because it was a comparable size to our previous home which we loved. It was warm and felt very well insulated as well as cosy. I also noticed that it was not noisy, even though houses were still being built at the site.”

Having moved in, the couple love their new home and its surroundings on the edge of Royston as well as the peace of mind that being within easy reach of their family has brought.

Martin continues: “Our children are much happier now that we are closer to them. Our favourite room is the kitchen and dining room as we love to cook, and it is also a great space for socialising. Marion and I enjoy going for long-distance walks, for which the location of our house is perfect. There is great access to the countryside and we love going to The Heath Café Bar at our local park, Therfield Heath. Royston train station is also very central and has great services into London.”

Martin and Marion felt well supported by the sales and site team at Meridian Gate through the process of buying their home.

Martin adds: “Our sales consultants at Meridian Gate were terrific. Emma and Elliot were very attentive, always available for us and had excellent communication, too. Rob, the site manager, and Mark, the assistant site manager, came and spoke to me and Marion when we first moved in. They made sure to keep us informed and made us feel very comfortable. I would highly recommend the site.”

There is currently a choice of three-, four- and five-bedroom houses available to reserve at Meridian Gate, with prices starting from £499,995.

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