This month FTB goes on the hunt with Carrie Wilkinson and Jivah Mohantey who are looking for a two bedroom home in East London or Essex.
Profile:
Names: Carrie Wilkinson, Jivah Mohantey
Occupations: UX lead, product manager
Maximum budget: £350,000
Requirements: A two bedroom home in east London or Essex with good commuting links, access to outside space, and a strong community feel
What they wanted… “We are looking for a lovely new home for our family. We had our first baby earlier this year and currently live in a one-bedroom apartment in Hackney, east London. We’ve loved living here, but now we have a child, we’d like to move somewhere a little quieter and greener – perhaps more east or into Essex. Jivah is originally from Hornchurch in Essex, so we like the idea of being closer to some family support. We both work part-remote and need to be in the office around twice a month or more, so we’d like good rail links to central London. It’s important to us that we have a high street, shopping, and entertainment facilities within easy reach so that we don’t feel too far away from city conveniences, but we’d also like easy access to the countryside and pretty villages of Essex. We are very sociable and like the idea of getting to know neighbors and becoming involved with the local community.”
What we found…
THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
L&Q at Beam Park
Location: Beam Park, Rainham
Price: Starting from £62,500* (Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £250,000)
Description: Beam Park forms part of a new neighborhood in the regenerated suburb of Rainham, designed with community in mind. Amenities including schools, medical, faith, and leisure facilities as well as open spaces are geared towards encouraging interaction between residents. London’s Fenchurch Street can be reached in 21 minutes from nearby Dagenham Dock station. The one and two-bedroom apartments feature spacious living/dining areas that lead to private balconies or terraces with views over the shared landscaped gardens. lqhomes.com
What they thought… “There are several things that we like about this new development. As well as the good rail links and convenient location, we’re really keen on the emphasis on community. There seems to be plenty of green space – including within the development itself – and it’s very close to the local country park. We would certainly get our quota of fresh air and green space here. The two-bedroom apartments look really great in terms of space and facilities, and would suit our needs really well.”
THE COUNTRY CONNECTION
Towerlands Park
Location: Braintree, Essex
Price: Starting from £375,000
Description: With market towns, countryside, and great transport links on the doorstep, these homes are ideally located for family life. The new collection of three, four, and five-bedroom homes lies two miles north of Braintree, while Colchester and Chelmsford are under 30 minutes by car. Homes feature separate living and dining rooms along with a downstairs WC. The main bedrooms have an ensuite, and many enjoy extra storage space. For commuters, trains reach London Liverpool Street in 80 minutes. dandara.com
What they thought… “What lovely houses these are! We are really impressed with the traditional styling of these properties – they’re certainly in keeping with the lovely surroundings. We particularly like the kitchens that open to the back gardens and the bright and spacious living areas. We’d be able to get three bedrooms here, which means there’s room for guests – or for expanding the family without needing to move. It’s probably a little further out than we’d planned, but they’re a great option.”
THE HISTORIC SITE
The Arbour at Beaulieu
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Price: Starting from £88,500* (Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £295,000)
Description: Set within the parkland of the old Tudor palace of Beaulieu, this new development has created thousands of homes just outside Chelmsford. Homes range from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses – with the latest phase of one and two-bedroom homes at The Arbour selling fast. The properties are surrounded by landscaped gardens, and the new community will eventually include new schools, transport links, and amenities. The city lies 30 miles east of London, while the stunning coast can be reached in 40 minutes by car. lqhomes.co.uk
What they thought… “Jivah went to university in Chelmsford and talks about what a great area it is. I know there are a lot of options for entertainment, shopping, and for family life in general, so this is definitely a good option for us. The two-bedroom apartments are impressive, as is the development itself. As it’s a new neighborhood, there’ll be plenty of opportunity for community involvement. There’s also lovely countryside on tap, while Jivah’s family is a 20-minute drive, which would suit us pretty well.”
THE EASTENDER
The Silk District
Location: Whitechapel, east London
Price: Starting from £125,620* (Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £502,500)
Description: Whitechapel has a lot to offer: a vibrant high road, excellent Tube and bus links, and all walking distance from Tower Bridge, the City, and Brick Lane. The one and two-bedroom apartments sit around landscaped gardens and feature open-plan living areas, separate utility room, and fitted wardrobes. All homes include private outdoor space. Created as part of a £300m regeneration project, the homes will be joined by commercial buildings and public spaces. Some of the capital’s most famous and historic sights are near the front door. lqhomes.com
What they thought… “Whitechapel is close to our current neighborhood. We love this part of London, there’s always something cool and quirky to do, and of course, the transport links are second to none. This new development is such a great opportunity to buy in the area and it really is very tempting. It looks like a very exciting development that’s so close to some of our favorite places. But for our current situation and requirements, we’re still set on moving out of the hustle and bustle, and further east.”
First choice! THE PERFECT BALANCE
Edge
Location: Hainault, east London
Price: Starting from £269,995* (*Up to 5% deposit contribution available)
Description: This new collection of high-spec one, two, and three-bedroom apartments strikes an ideal balance of lifestyles. Tube trains from the nearby Zone 4 stations reach central London in under 30 minutes, while just moments from the front door you’ll find country parks and an abundance of green space, as well as shops and supermarkets. The properties are arranged around an attractive communal podium garden, while all homes feature a private terrace or balcony. A perfect spot for young families, there’s a nursery just next door and a primary school within an easy walk. edge-hainault.co.uk
THE NEXT STEP “The 5% deposit contribution will really help us as this is a big and important move, so we want to make sure that we’re making the right decision. We’ll spend some time in the area, test the commute and get our mortgage offer in principle sorted while we go through the application and viewings process. We’re really optimistic for our future!”
What a good location these properties are in, just on the Essex border, which fits our requirements perfectly. There’s a lot on offer very close to the apartments; you can get to some stunning countryside and rural places, all while not being too far from central London. We really love the look of the apartments, too. The design and styling have a real luxury feel – the balcony areas are huge, the living areas are super spacious, and there’s plenty of storage space as well as an ensuite from the main bedroom. We think that Edge is the perfect place for a new start for our family.”
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