Lockdown Leads To An Escape To The Country

Finding themselves under lockdown in their tiny one-bedroom rented flat in Ealing, first-time buyers Georgina Goodwin (26) and Ryan Harris (25) realised that their requirements had made a major shift.

Once they were free to start house-hunting again, Georgina and Ryan could feel that the experience had totally transformed their ideas about their future home. The intention had always been to get on the property ladder, but instead of looking for a two-bedroom apartment in London as planned, the couple decided to head for the open spaces of Kent and leave the city behind them.

“It was utterly miserable,” recalled Georgina. “We really struggled to cope with such small living spaces, especially as we didn’t even have a balcony, let alone a garden. We are both NHS administration workers, so we were trying to work effectively from home as well, and it was very stressful being under each other’s feet all the time and nowhere to escape.”

They found exactly what they were looking for at Dickens Gate by David Wilson Homes in the attractive village of Staplehurst; where they were delighted to discover that with Help to Buy, they could buy a spacious four-bedroom family home with a garden. Thanks to Help to Buy and the access it provides to lower lending rates, they now also pay less in their mortgage every month than they were spending in London on rent.

“Before the pandemic we had always thought we needed to stay close to our jobs,” explained Ryan, “but the last few months have changed everything. Georgina is still working full time from home, and I’m only going in to the workplace two days a week, so I don’t mind having a slightly longer commute if it means we can have a garden and plenty of space at home – as well as the countryside on the doorstep.”

Ryan was pleased to discover that Staplehurst station is only a 15-minute walk from their new home, with direct trains to London Bridge taking less than an hour, so the commute is quite comfortable even if they do eventually go back into London every day for work.

“We really hadn’t considered moving out of London before coronavirus,” said Georgina, “but the experience of being under lockdown in a tiny flat with no outdoor space was not something I ever want to have to go through again. At least if the worst comes to the worst and we do have to go back into lockdown, we are in a much better place.

“Moving to Dickens Gate has been a life-changer,” added Ryan. “We have four bedrooms, a nice garden, countryside on the doorstep and space to work.”

As they are both NHS workers, Ryan and Georgina were able to take advantage of David Wilson Homes’ NHS ‘Thank You’ scheme. As a sign of gratitude to the hard work of NHS staff during the pandemic, the company offered them a 5% contribution towards their deposit (up to £15,000). “We had been saving up for years towards a deposit and this really helped us to be able to make the move when we did,” said Georgina.

Natalie Perry, sales and marketing director for David Wilson Homes Kent, commented: “We have definitely noticed a change of priorities among buyers as a result of the pandemic and lockdown; with more people opting to move out of London in search of freedom and room to move. Dickens Gate is set among open spaces and wildlife areas, and we are planning allotments and playgrounds so everyone can enjoy the fresh air in their own way. Staplehurst is a lovely village with a sense of community, set in beautiful countryside close to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, but with easy travel connections by road and rail for those who need to commute.”

Three- and four-bedroom homes at Dickens Gate currently range from £394,995 to £604,995.

Find out more about Dickens Gate from David Wilson Homes.

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