Software Engineer Upgrades To A Bigger Apartment

When software engineer Machel Slack’s living room suddenly became his office too, he knew it was time to upsize from his one-bedroom flat in South Norwood.

After being forced to work from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 38-year-old bought a two-bedroom apartment at Bellway’s Fielders Quarter development in Barking Riverside – and insists it was the best decision he has ever made.

“I was living in a one-bedroom flat when the coronavirus pandemic arrived and suddenly I was told not to go into the office but to work from home,” he said. “All of a sudden my living room had to become my office too and it was far from ideal. Like many people, I started to feel the strain as there was no clear line between where work ended and my own time began.

“I had previously thought about upgrading to a bigger place but then it became almost a necessity, and I knew I had to get an apartment with two bedrooms. I grew up in Streatham Hill, and wanted to stay in London to be near to my family and friends.”

Machel did some research online and contacted Bellway who invited him to a sales open day at London Bridge.

“I went along and was impressed with how they operated and liked the look of the apartments they were building in the London area. A while later, the sales team contacted me and told me about Fielders Quarter at Barking Riverside and I was immediately sold. I reserved the apartment and the team at Bellway did the rest."

Machel purchased his two-bedroom apartment for £335,000 and moved into the property in May.

“My monthly mortgage payments have gone up from £730 a month to £950 but it’s more than worth it to me to have all this extra space. Now I have an extra bedroom and I have set that up as my home office.

“My bosses have designated certain roles as being permanent ‘working from home’ positions and mine is one of them. That would have been a nightmare at the old one-bedroom flat as my living space was also my working area and they both got mixed up and compromised. But now my work/life balance suits me perfectly.

Fielders Quarter

“The spare bedroom is my office at home and that is how I treat it. I go in there to work and when my shift is done, I can close the door and that is it. But I also have a bed in there so that it can be used as bedroom if a friend or relative stays over. Now my living room is just that - a space where I can fully relax and unwind after a working day.”

Machel said that living in Fielders Quarter has improved his personal life too: “I’ve met a few of my neighbours, who are really nice. We have a WhatsApp group with the wider community, which helps us keep up to date with the local activities.”

Machel said his family and friends who have visited him have been impressed by his new home.

“They are all blown away by how much space there is in the apartment,” he said. “They also love my balcony which, as it is south-facing, is a great place to catch the evening sun.

“Bellway helped me make the place feel like my own by extending the splashback in the kitchen and by putting on new handles on the cupboards. I was also able to go for an upgrade on softer, fluffier carpets which feel great on your bare feet. I have had some new blinds put up and all I need now is a bit of artwork on the walls to complete the look. This is the best move I have ever made.”

Machel said he would recommend both Bellway and Fielders Quarter: “The sales team were very helpful and patient with me and made the whole buying process simple,” he said. “I already love living here and things will only get better as the site develops and more people move in.

“Barking Riverside is a really up and coming location and it’s very exciting to be living here and watching it grow right on my doorstep. One thing I am really looking forward to is the extension of the Uber Boat service to Barking Riverside next year which will run to and from central London along the Thames. That is going to be so convenient – and such a cool way to get in and out of the centre of London. It will be such a brilliant way for my family and friends to come and visit me.”

Fielders Quarter, which is located off Fielders Crescent, will comprise a total of 371 apartments and townhouses once complete. The development is part of the wider Barking Riverside scheme which is transforming the former Barking Power Station site, delivering 10,800 new homes for the local area. There is currently a choice of one- and two-bedroom apartments at Fielders Quarter, with prices starting from £258,655. Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk.

Find retirement homes in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Find Help to Buy homes in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Find new homes in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham