After two years as a couple, Harriet Partridge and Matthew Ellis decided the time was right to buy their first home together.
Having lived in separate properties for the first two years of their relationship, the pair got the keys to their new two-bedroom, semi-detached house at the Linden Homes Oak Farm Meadow location in Stowupland in March this year.
Sales manager Harriet, 30, and landscaper Matthew, 29, moved into the property with their two Bichon Frise dogs, Ellie and Bella, and are enjoying the extra space and privacy that they had desired for so long.
Harriet was previously living in a house she owned with her brother in Framlingham while Matthew had his own flat in Hadleigh which he is now looking to renovate.
Their search for a place of their own quickly led them to Oak Farm Meadow, a development of new homes being built by Vistry Group under its Linden Homes brand.
Harriet said: “After living with my brother and his girlfriend, it got a bit much having four adults in the house with Matthew over, so we knew it was the right time to look for our own place together.
“We had always been set on new-build houses. Matthew is already renovating his own flat, so we wanted something that was already done and ready to move into.
“I stumbled across Oak Farm Meadow when looking on Rightmove and was set on it straight away. We had already looked at other homes but this one was much more to our taste.
“The location was exactly what I was looking for as personally, I prefer a more countryside feel. This home overlooks fields which is great as it provides plenty of dog walking areas which was really important to me.
“We also have plenty of local amenities only a short distance away so the location really offers the best of both worlds.”
Relocating to Oak Farm Meadow has also shortened the pair’s respective commutes. Matthew’s journey to work in Fordham, Essex has decreased from one hour to 40 minutes while it now takes Harriet only 13 minutes to drive to the office in Sproughton, Ipswich instead of half an hour.
Harriet’s gym is just a 20-minute walk away and it’s only a five-minute drive to Toolstation and Wickes, both of which have proved very useful for Matthew as he is currently landscaping the couple’s garden.
Harriet added: “There is plenty to do around here, and there are some places I have yet to explore such as Stowmarket which is only a 20-minute walk away.”
Harriet says the layout and spacious feel of their new home is what made the property stand out from the others they looked at.
“This house has a separate kitchen and diner which I prefer and has side-by-side parking instead of tandem parking which I had at my previous house and did not like.
“The front room gets plenty of light and I sometimes use this room when working from home as well as the second bedroom in the property which is being used as an office.
“Although my previous home was a three-bedroom property, this house feels much more spacious and has a much better layout.”
Harriet has met some of her neighbours through dog walking and already feels a strong sense of community forming at the development.
Harriet and Matthew are also full of praise for the sales team at Oak Farm Meadow.
Harriet said: “The team at Linden Homes were so helpful, especially Nikki, the sales representative. She was amazing and made the process much easier for us.
“I would definitely recommend Linden Homes and this development to other buyers.”
A variety of three and four-bedroom homes are currently available at Oak Farm Meadow, with prices starting from £332,995.
For more information, visit lindenhomes.co.uk.
CAPTIONS:
• Harriet Partridge outside her brand-new Linden home at Oak Farm Meadow in Stowupland.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
