Retired Couple Downsize To New Home In Hampshire

When Jo (77) and Elisabeth (71) retired to the rural, rolling countryside of Wiltshire from Elvetham Heath in Fleet, they thought the move would be a permanent one. However, they were surprised to find themselves longing for Hampshire and the livelier suburban lifestyle they’d left behind.

At a time when many people are leaving the cities and towns, Jo and Elizabeth went against the grain, settling in a two-bedroom apartment at Hartland Village in Fleet which gives them the perfect balance of community, countryside and convenience they realised they wanted.

Elisabeth explained: “When we bought our three-bedroom house in Tisbury in Wiltshire, we thought that would be our final move. A slower-paced lifestyle and beautiful hills and fields for walking seemed idyllic, but we soon started missing the ease of driving just five minutes to the shops and popping in to see our son and family. After a couple of years, we decided it was time to head back to Fleet.”

Jo, who previously worked in transport, continued: “We purchased the house in Wiltshire for £295,000 and were able to sell it for £352,000, so when it came to finding a home in Fleet we were in a good position financially, especially as we’d paid off our mortgage over the years, making us cash buyers.

“Our son, who lives locally, was the one who pointed us in the direction of Hartland Village; we were delighted to discover we could secure a two-bedroom ground-floor apartment despite the move back to a more expensive area of the country. The fact it was a new-build and maintenance would be a breeze compared to the larger homes we’ve owned was a real draw too. We didn’t even look elsewhere; we made a reservation immediately.”

Jo and Elisabeth purchased their two-bedroom apartment at Hartland Village for £314,000. The couple moved in during July 2020 and are now making their home their own.

Jo said: “Although we’ve always loved having a garden, we haven’t had a chance to miss it at Hartland Village. We’re surrounded by woodland and green space so the countryside never feels far away. We’ve really enjoyed exploring the woodland trails, walks to Fleet Pond and along the Basingstoke Canal.”

Elisabeth explained: “We wanted something more manageable, so being on the ground floor is perfect for us; perhaps one day we won’t want to tackle stairs! We absolutely adore the kitchen, dining and living space; as we’re a corner plot, we’ve got light flooding in from two sides, which makes it a really warm, bright space.

She continued: “We are dressing the second bedroom as another sitting room, so we have even more space to relax and to entertain when family and friends come over. I thought I’d miss my utility room and airing cupboard, but the large walk-in cupboard in the hall is more than big enough for my washer, and there was plenty of space for shelving to store all of my towels, sheets and cleaning products, so everything is neatly hidden away.”

Elisabeth added: “We’re also perfectly located to make the most of Fleet town centre, as well as nearby shops and restaurants – we like to spend Friday evenings in the pub with friends. One thing about living further afield is that you spend so much on petrol and driving to get anywhere. At Hartland Village, you’ve got that sense of village living but you’re only a short drive or walk from everything you need - once the village centre is established, this will become even easier. We’ve got two parking spaces too, so one for us and one for guests if they need it.”

She continued: “We’re also starting to get to know our neighbours as they move in – we’re one of the first households living here, but already we can tell it’s going to be such a lovely community. There’s a real mix of people here, from first-time buyers and growing families to downsizers and retirees like us, it really does feel like a ready-made village.”

Prices at Hartland Village start from £318,500 for a two-bedroom apartment and from £680,000 for a four-bedroom house. Find out more about Hartland Village from St Edward.

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