For Office Manager Liz (43), buying her first home felt like a distant dream – until she found The Quarry in Erith, South East London.
“I’d been renting a room in a friend’s house in Bexleyheath, and while it was a good setup, I’d reached a point where I wanted my own space. It wasn’t that renting was a problem – I just wanted to be able to pictures up on the wall… to have a home that was mine!”
Liz started her property search towards the end of 2024, unsure of what was possible: “The prospect of actually buying a home felt like a pipe dream really – I kept thinking, how can I actually make this work? But I knew I wanted to stay local. I’ve lived in Bexley for 12 years now, and it’s got everything you need.”
Originally from Canterbury, Liz moved to London as her social circle began to migrate to the capital. Now working in the City near Fenchurch Street, staying connected to central London – while enjoying the calm of Zone 6 – was key.
When she came across The Quarry, a landmark eco-development delivered by L&Q and Anderson, something clicked.
The Quarry is a development on the site of a disused quarry in Erith. Included in the masterplan are 849 new homes – a mix of apartments and family houses – as well as green spaces and community facilities, all within easy access to efficient transport links into the capital and beyond.
“I went to an open day in January. I was the first one in the door and had a good chat with the L&Q Sales Team,” Liz recalls. “After that, it all snowballed quite quickly. I kept looking at other places but nothing else made me feel the way The Quarry did. There was just something about it – the sustainable elements, the vibe of the place, the location – I kept coming back to it.”
For Liz, buying new-build was a must: “I work full time – I didn’t want to come home after a long day and have to start work on the flat! I wanted somewhere modern and ready to go.”
She opted for a two-bedroom apartment – perfect for hosting family and friends, as well as creating a dedicated work-from-home setup. “I knew I didn’t want a ground floor flat, and having parking was non-negotiable. The Quarry ticked all the boxes for me.”
“On that first visit, I didn’t drive and opted to take the bus over. I wanted to see how the area felt, whether I’d feel safe, whether it was noisy or busy. But it just felt right. It’s generally very quiet too, especially at night. No joyriding through the streets or anything like that – I feel safe here.”
The local area was another big plus: “My new flat is close to Abbey Wood station and Bluewater Shopping Centre is just down the road, which is excellent. There are buses galore, and I love that I can get back into Kent easily when I want to. Bexley’s really convenient – it’s got the supermarkets, the shops, everything I need.”
Although some of the landscaping is still being completed, the green space planned for The Quarry was a deciding factor: “It’s coming along, and it’s exciting to be part of something that’s still growing.”
Liz is now happily settled in her new home, and says the process of getting there was smoother than expected. “I’ve never been through the homebuying journey before, but the communication from the L&Q team was outstanding. No question was ever too small – Anna, who I mostly dealt with, was great.”
“My two older brothers have been to visit and they’re both so happy for me. They love how bright the apartment is – there’s so much natural light. It just feels like home.”
To find out more about homes available at The Quarry, visit: https://lqhomes.com/thequarry
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
