Peace Of Mind And Community Living For Former Art Teacher

Pegasus, part of Lifestory Group, have two luxury independent living communities in Hampstead, Fitzjohn’s and Belle Vue, built around the same ethos: modern and luxurious living with the additional comfort of security.

Lynn Higson, an ex-art teacher, moved from a large townhouse in Muswell Hill to a spacious one-bedroom apartment at Belle Vue where she has lived for the past eight months and has found the move has given her a new lease of life with peace of mind and a sociable lifestyle.

Belle Vue offers 59 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with similar hotel-style facilities along with gardens and a public restaurant and café - SUNDAY. 

Originally hailing from Manchester, Lynn moved to London for university where she studied art, something that she had been passionate about since childhood. She moved to London to pursue art studies which allowed her to embark on a career as an art teacher at a school in Elstree where she worked for many years. During this time, Lynn lived in a family home in Muswell Hill with her husband and daughter where she enjoyed taking care of her large garden that her husband had created for her. Years later, Lynn’s living situation changed, and she was alone in a large house with impaired eyesight. She notes that: “It was at this point that my daughter and I felt that it was time for me to move into a home that was easier to navigate, where we could both know I was safe.”

It was one evening when Lynn was travelling home from visiting her daughter, that she saw the advertisement of one of Pegasus’ communities. She says: “I was immediately interested and called the very next day to arrange a viewing at Belle Vue. As I stepped inside, I realised that it was exactly what I had been looking for – I wanted somewhere to refresh my life. I needed a home that was modern and accessible yet also somewhere that I felt safe and secure.”

On her first time walking through the development Lynn enjoyed the modern interior which she describes as, “crisp, clean and fresh with splashes of added colour which was something very important to me as an artist. Within an hour, I had decided that this would be my new home. My daughter came to visit the next week and agreed that it was perfect – we even instinctively picked out the very same apartment!” Each residence at Fitzjohn’s and Belle Vue has a distinctive design and layout, ensuring the customer has unrivalled options and choices that meet their personal requirements. 

Lynn remarks how her own family feels content that she is being looked after by the friendly Pegasus team. Lynn says, “having someone be there every time I return home and present throughout the night gives me peace of mind that I didn’t have before moving into my new home. My daughter can also go about her life knowing that someone is there for me if I need it.”

As Lynn has impaired vision, accessibility was an important aspect of her choice to move into her new home. Speaking of the security and safety of the development, Lynn says it has given her: “an air of newfound confidence that I didn’t have before moving into my new home. The lifts and lateral layout of my apartment means I have fewer trip hazards, whilst the security system in my apartment ensures someone is notified if I fall and press the alarm button I wear, or if an alarm goes off in my apartment and I do not answer.”

Community living is at the heart of the Pegasus communities and the concierges are on hand to assist in any organisation of events or activities that homeowners would like to arrange. Lynn is a vivacious person who loves to socialise, which is one of the aspects of her new home that she loves. She notes that, “since moving into my new home I have met a vast and interesting mix of people from different backgrounds, yet at the same time so many of us share much in common.” The communal spaces, Lynn explains, “are often bustling with people always willing to sit and have a chat with a cup of tea.”

Lynn and her friends often arrange various social events together, with the help of the Pegasus team on-site, such as film nights, a prosecco and canape birthday party, aqua aerobics, art, ceramics and singing classes. She comments: “My new home allows me to continue all the pleasures that I used to enjoy such as socialising, swimming and art. Despite having impaired vision, I still love to paint in the communal art classes led by a fantastic art academic who has helped me tremendously. In fact, several of my pieces are going to be placed in an art exhibition this summer.” Lynn adds: "The benefit of living in a Pegasus development is the sense of community that it provides”.  

Lynn loves her new home and says: “For the first time in years I am experiencing a new way of living – I do everything that suits me. I am so glad that I moved in when I did rather than leaving it to later in life as I feel settled and able to enjoy all that life and my new home have to offer.”

Emily Nesbitt, regional marketing director at Lifestory Group says: “Combining luxury living with lifestyle amenities including a spa and pool designed to assist and prioritise health and wellbeing, Fitzjohn’s and Belle Vue are exceptional examples of luxury Pegasus developments. We are delighted with the lifestyle we can provide our homeowners and look forward to welcoming many new faces to the thriving communities.”

Apartments at Fitzjohn’s are available to purchase from £2,220,000 and selected apartments are available to rent from £8,620 pcm. Apartments at Belle Vue are available to purchase from £650,000 and selected apartments are available to rent from £3,700 pcm. 

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