How Sofia Bought Her Home at Lumina 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. Find out more about how Sofia bought her dream home in Camberley in this article.
Saving Smart
Sofia significantly increased her savings during lockdown by cutting out non-essential spending. She comments:
“I had been saving for about three 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 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.”
- Sofia, Berkeley Group homeowner
Turning Savings into a Dream Home
She used the extra savings to cover her deposit and furnish her new home, complete with its own private storage room. 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 also 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 from 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!”
- Sofia, Berkeley Group homeowner
Finding the Right Location and the Right Price
After finding she had enough money to buy her own home, Sofia started her property search in Hertfordshire before finding Lumina in Camberley. 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 homes. I was then browsing homes in Chertsey and the surrounding areas, and came across Lumina. I thought that, as Berkeley built 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!”
- Sofia, Berkeley Group homeowner
Connectivity and Convenience Were Key
Convenient access to London and included parking played a major role in her decision to buy. 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.”
- Sofia, Berkeley Group homeowner
Amenities That Enhance Everyday Living
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 for 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, Berkeley Group homeowner
A Seamless Buying Experience With Berkeley Group
Sofia highlights the excellent support from the Berkeley sales team and her satisfaction with the home’s design and quality. Sofi a concludes:
“I would really recommend buying from 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 was 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 takes when building homes; it’s just been such a smooth, fantastic experience, and I’m so grateful.”
- Sofia, Berkeley Group homeowner
Discover Your New Home in Surrey
Lumina is now a fully completed development, but your journey with Berkeley doesn’t have to end there.
We have a wide range of new homes in Surrey that are available, offering the same exceptional quality, thoughtful design, and great connectivity that buyers love. Whether you're looking for your first home or your next move, discover what’s waiting for you in one of our latest developments.
Find out more about Berkeley Group or get in touch for more information.