Savvy Surrey Saver Chooses Style and Convenience in Camberley

Having previously rented a four-bedroom house in Chiswick, west London, with three of her friends, not going out and doing the things she loved for a year meant Sofia was able to save around £1,500 every month, significantly boosting her savings to buy her very own home. She comments: “I had been saving for about 3 years before Covid hit. Going into lockdown actually benefitted me, as there was no more going out and I didn’t see the point in spending money if I wasn’t going anywhere. The usual things I do went out of the window, like getting my nails and hair done, buying clothes and shopping online, and I was just buying groceries and the basics week by week. This meant that I was able to save a massive £1,500 every month, compared to the £500 I was saving monthly prior to lockdown.”

She continues: “This valuable boost to my savings really did help me buy the home of my dreams, not just helping towards the deposit but for everything I needed to furnish it too. At Lumina, every apartment comes with a unique storage space – this is an extra room that is separate to your apartment but still within the building. Mine is located just across the corridor from my flat, and it is a huge locked space that only I have access to. At the moment I’m using it as extra storage for my things, but I’m planning on turning it into my very own walk-in wardrobe with shelving and a shoe cupboard – I can’t wait!”

After finding she had enough money to buy her own home, Sofia started her property search in Hertfordshire before finding Lumina. She comments: “I was initially looking in areas around west London and Hertfordshire such as Hemel Hempstead but I found those areas quite expensive, and also a lower quality of home. I was then browsing homes in Chertsey and the surrounding areas, and came across Lumina. I thought that as Berkeley build such high-quality homes, any property by them would be out of my price range, but a friend encouraged me to have a look anyway. I went for a viewing and after speaking to the sales team found that I could afford one of the apartments. I was over the moon!”

She continues: “One of the biggest factors for me when choosing a home was parking, and having the convenience of travelling into London. My apartment came with a dedicated parking space included, so that was a big draw for me. As I work in London and drive in every day, it was really important for me to find somewhere well-connected, with good road and rail links into London. Camberley is easily accessible from the motorway and the train station is actually right across the road from Lumina! Although I don’t use the train as much myself, it is really handy when my friends and family want to come and visit.” 

Like every resident at Lumina, Sofia has access to a number of exclusive resident facilities within the development. She says: “I really enjoy working out, so the fact that I have a gym literally on my doorstep that I can use as and when I want to, is amazing. The communal gardens are also a lovely place to do a walking lap, do some circuit training outside in the summer months, or just sit and take a moment to yourself. I also love that we have a cinema room that we can use; it’s such a great place to take family or friends when they come over, and just spend some quality time together watching a movie.”

Sofia concludes: “I would really recommend buying with Berkeley. The experience I had was incredible, and I can’t thank Rob and Lauren in the sales team enough for their help throughout the process. I was initially trying to decide between two apartments and nervous about making the right decision, but they helped guide me to choose the property that would suit me best. I really love the specification and attention to detail that Berkeley take when building homes; it’s just been such a smooth, fantastic experience and I’m so grateful.”

Prices at Lumina currently start at £217,500. For more information on the development, please visit www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/surrey/camberley/lumina or call 01276 819526.