It may have seemed like an impossible task, but civil servant Angela Shaw believes she’s found the ideal home to suit three generations of her family.
Angela, 62, moved into an Oxford Lifestyle property at Redrow’s Worden Gardens development in Leyland just before Christmas with her 21-year-old son, and her mum, Jean Babb.
Angela says: “As you’d expect there’s compromise on all our parts with three generations of our family living under one roof – but there was no compromise when it came to choosing the house we wanted. The Oxford Lifestyle was perfect because with three large bedrooms, each with its own en-suite, we all have our own private space. It doesn’t seem small at all, and it works really well for us.”
Although the family has only been there for a few months, Angela says: “It already feels like home. It feels comfortable, it feels easy to live here, it feels right… and it feels like us. This is my forever home.”
It was a combination of changes in their lives that led to the family members moving in together: Angela unfortunately got divorced, and her step-father sadly passed away two years ago.
Angela continues: “Mum had never lived alone before and was finding it quite difficult, so we decided to move in together. Worden Gardens was ideal, it’s only a short drive from Eccleston so mum can still do all the things she used to; she can see her friends and they can come and see her. Although I lived in Blackburn, I used to drive to Leyland when my son was little to go to Worden Park because it’s such a lovely park so there are lots of lovely memories.”
Angela and her 81-year-old mum looked around at a lot of properties before they settled on a new-build, not least because they didn’t want a home that needed a lot of work or maintenance.
And after viewing others, they knew it had to be Redrow.
Angela adds: “You can see the quality and the higher standard of finish on everything. The way the houses were designed and the space around them stood out – comparing them with other houses was like comparing apples and pears, they were so different. There’s lots of greenery around the development and lovely walks which is great for me and our dog, Teddy the Cockapoo. It’s so well-kept and cared for, it’s just a lovely place to live; and I feel safe.”
The three-bedroom Oxford Lifestyle proved to be the perfect style for all members of the family. It’s built on the footprint of what would normally be a four-bedroom house, so there’s plenty of living accommodation downstairs with a generous lounge, cloakroom and utility, and an enviable kitchen and dining room with double doors at the rear. Upstairs, however, instead of four bedrooms and a family bathroom, there are three larger bedrooms, each with its own en-suite, and the main bedroom with a superb dressing area.
Angela has moved from an older three-bedroom house which had been extended upstairs and downstairs, and she says she loves her new home. Angela says: “With a new home it’s like a blank canvas and so you can design it and furnish it exactly how you want. We chose Redrow upgrades including a granite-style worktop and kitchen island – I love it when friends come over and we can sit and chat while I finish cooking dinner - and fitted wardrobes in all the bedrooms. Mum had her bathroom fully tiled and we had spotlights in the bathrooms and kitchen, and an internal door into the garage which is really handy. We have got solar panels which were fitted as standard and, although it’s too early to tell what a difference it will make to our energy bills, I’m looking forward to finding out, plus it’s nice to know we’re doing our bit for the environment.”
The family have chosen a warm grey colour scheme to flow throughout the house with pops of colour in a funky red velvet armchair in the kitchen beside a picture of a woman drinking a glass of red wine, and bright multi cushions on the grey leather sofa in the lounge.
She adds: “We are very fortunate. We have been able to stamp our own personality on it, and it looks like a show home.”
She says everyone from Redrow helped to make the buying process as smooth as possible which was especially welcomed having gone through a difficult period herself, and with the upheaval for her elderly mum.
Angela concludes: “When there were hiccups, Redrow were there to help and sort everything as quickly as possible and they kept us up to date. We were never left floundering and nothing was ever too much trouble. The neighbours at Worden Gardens are lovely, there’s a community spirit and everybody wants to help everybody out. It was difficult but now the future looks brighter for us all.”
Worden Gardens has a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes still available with prices starting from £162,995.
It will eventually be a community of 200 homes, close to towns and cities like Preston and Manchester, and open countryside. There is a good choice of primary and secondary schools, as well as a supermarket, smaller shops, health centres, and pubs nearby.
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