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The moment they discovered Highlands and looked at the drawings of how it would eventually look Anthony and Helen Mundy were hooked. It was a turning point in their lives.
The couple had been thinking of moving from their large four-bedroom townhouse near Chingford in Essex and downsizing to a retirement apartment but couldn’t find one that suited their needs. That is until they discovered Highlands, a brand new complex of 23 one and two bedroom retirement apartments in Main Road, Gidea Park, by the award-winning Essex-based company Great Homes Limited. For them it ticked all the right boxes.
“There’s only the two of us now and we were used to living in a lot of space, but couldn’t find a retirement apartment that for us felt right,” explains Anthony, a freelance financial journalist. “We heard of Highlands quite by chance, liked the drawings and bought our apartment off plan. We chose our one because it is big and gives us the space we want.”
Anthony and Helen, who are watching Highlands closely as it nears completion and hope to move into their new home soon, have purchased a top floor apartment. It gives them an especially large lounge and dining room, a top notch kitchen with an impressive range of Bosch appliances that come as standard, a master bedroom with an en-suite shower room, a second guest bedroom that looks set to double up as Anthony’s office, and a bathroom. “We are delighted with the apartment and can’t wait now to move in,” he says.
Anthony and Helen, although only being around 60 years of age, decided to make the move while they were fit and able. It was originally Helen’s idea to move, based on the thought that it would only take one of them to become incapacitated and their three-storey townhouse would be wholly unsuitable. It got them focused. “People have said we are brave,” says Anthony. “We are not brave. We just wanted to move now while we still have all our marbles and can make an informed decision.”
The couple had considered moving to the coast. They looked at Thorpe Bay and Bournemouth in particular, but felt they wanted to be near London, their children in Upminster and close to amenities. “In 45 years of marriage we have never been so close to a major shopping centre,” laughs Anthony. “Romford is about three quarters of a mile away. It will be so nice to go to Debenhams and Marks and Spencer when we feel like it. It will be so nice to have everything on our doorstep.”
The couple also liked the fact that Highlands offered a particularly high specification. Their apartment, for instance, like all the others in the complex, comes complete with an integrated washer/dryer, a fridge and freezer, hob, extractor and a combination microwave in the kitchen, quality suites in the bathrooms, carpets or floor coverings throughout, coving and lots of finishing touches like heavy oak internal doors and atmospheric lighting that give it a sense of luxury.
Highlands offers an interior designed residents’ lounge, complete with a sun lounge and library off, where residents can get to know each other. They overlook the landscaped gardens. “Helen is particularly sociable and is looking forward to meeting the other residents in the lounge areas,” says Anthony.
Anthony and Helen also like the fact that Highlands has a long list of safety and security features too. They felt this was important for the future. When the building is complete, there will be a Day Manager who will be on hand for everyday queries and to ensure the smooth running of the development, and a 24-hour careline facility whereby help can be called at the press of a button in the event of an emergency.
The building, itself, is protected by a CCTV entryphone system, which means that visitors can only gain access if a resident or the Day Manager allows them entry. The garden in which the building stands has a gated drive, too, and railings to ensure security in an unobtrusive manner. For residents purchasing apartments on the ground floor there’s the peace of mind in knowing that all the windows and doors are top quality to the Secure by Design standard and the apartments are alarmed.
Constructed to the Code for Sustainable Homes standard with energy efficient systems in place, and designed to blend in with the Arts and Crafts architectural style of neighbouring properties in the Gidea Park conservation area, Highlands will offer comfort and luxury, security and safety, and a particularly convenient location.
For further information visit the sales centre which is open every weekend from 10am to 5pm and see show apartments and the residents’ lounge and library area, or contact Great Homes Limited’s sales agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000. Great Homes Limited’s website can be visited at www.greathomes.co.uk. |
