|
Highlands, the new complex of 23 one and two bedroom apartments for buyers of 60 years and over in Main Road, Gidea Park in Essex, ticks all the right boxes for the residents who have already made it their home. Great Homes Limited, the award-winning company behind the project, incorporated luxurious, safety and security, and energy efficient features into the design of Highlands, resulting in a fabulous, low cost place to live. Here is what some of the residents have to say about Highlands.
Anthony and Helen Mundy
The moment they saw the drawings of Highlands Helen and Anthony Mundy were hooked. “We heard of Highlands quite by chance, and bought our apartment off plan,” says Helen. “It was exactly what we wanted: top floor, garden view, balcony, two bedroom and two bathrooms.”
As keen environmentalists, they welcomed the building’s use of sustainable construction materials, and its many energy efficient features. They also liked the convenience of Highlands. “In 45 years of marriage we’ve never been close to a major shopping centre,” laughs Anthony. “Romford is less than a mile from Highlands. It’s so handy to be able to drop into Debenhams or Marks and Spencer, and to have so many other facilities on our doorstep.”
Helen and Anthony both work part-time, but decided to make the move while they were fit and able. “People have said we’re brave to downsize before we need to,” says Helen. “We’re not brave. We just wanted to move while we still have all our marbles and can make an informed decision.” They are delighted with their new home at Highlands.
Mike and June Ryan
It was the luxurious feel and the security features at Highlands that particularly impressed Mike and June Ryan. As keen cruise enthusiasts who have holidays several times a year it was important for them to have comfort while at home and security while away. “We love going on cruises and have visited just about everywhere in the world apart from South America, but there is always the worry of whether your home will be broken into while you are away. We feel this is something that just isn’t going to happen here.”
Mike, a retired engineer, had been helping out his brother-in-law who runs a garden centre and had delivered some flowers for Pam, the sales manager of Highlands, when he first discovered the development. “The moment I walked into Highlands I loved it,” says Mike. He couldn’t wait, he says, to tell June.
The couple made the decision to make Highlands their home. “We couldn’t wish for a better new home,” says Mike. “We have comfort, warmth and with everyone being so friendly we’ve already made new friends.”
Margaret Jenn
For Margaret Jenn it was the sense of security at Highlands, along with its landscape garden that fuelled her imagination. She was impressed that Great Homes designed the garden to not only be beautiful, but to be easy and cost effective to maintain and so helping to keep the annual maintenance charge for residents as low as possible.
“I love gardening, but I have to say I am delighted that I don’t have all the hard work to do to keep this garden tidy,” laughs Margaret. Her ground floor two bedroom apartment has doors that open out on to the garden. They are fitted with an alarm, which was an important consideration for Margaret who lives alone.
The alarm, together with Highlands other security features such as a CCTV entryphone system, make her feel secure. “I’m not the least bit nervous being here on my own,” she says. Margaret, who turned landlord by renting out her family home in order to make her move to Highlands, is delighted with her new apartment. “I know I’ve made the right decision to move here.”
Maurice and Maureen Williams
Maurice and Maureen Williams adore the fact that their apartment is right next to the interior designed residents’ lounge and library, where they, like their neighbours, have made many new friends. “The residents’ lounge is lovely,” says Maureen. “I spend a lot of time in the lounge. I go in there every afternoon with my newspaper and stay to around 6pm. Sometimes other residents join me, but many are working people so often it is quiet and peaceful.”
It was a medical condition that prompted Maurice and Maureen’s move from their previous home to Highlands. “We were very happy in our home but it was much too far from town, and amenities like doctors which for us was becoming a requirement,” explains Maureen, a retired primary school teacher, and Maurice, a pension manager in London University. Nearby are doctors and a hospital, along with shops and leafy avenues for walks.
It was a turning point for the couple when they saw Highlands. “We looked around, loved it and was pleased to find there was a ground floor apartment with patio doors to the garden still available. We decided there and then it was for us.”
Information
For further information on the remaining apartments at Highlands and to have the opportunity to view the complex visit the sales centre which is open every weekend from 10am to 5pm or contact Great Homes Limited’s sales agent Porter Glenny on 01708 755968. Great Homes Limited’s website can be visited at www.greathomes.co.uk. |
