Couple Frank and Paul Climb Up the Property Ladder in Move to Peaceful Sevenoaks
As previous residents of Royal Arsenal Riverside in south east London, couple Frank McGunningle, 40, and Paul White, 32, decided to leave the city buzz behind them, opting for a relaxed lifestyle, excellent value and more space in Sevenoaks' leafy Ryewood development in the commuter village of Dunton Green.
Engaged to be married, Frank and Paul sought to climb up the property ladder, upscaling to a larger property, which allowed family and friends to come and stay. Having previously lived in a two bedroom apartment in the Berkeley Homes development Royal Arsenal Riverside, Frank and Paul were keen to invest in a house as they searched for their second home together. With no intentions of leaving their successful careers in the city, remaining within easy reach of central London was important for both.
Having lived in London for many years Frank and Paul were no longer satisfied by the high prices and general feeling of overcrowding. "Although we have really enjoyed living at Royal Arsenal, the development has expanded greatly over the last few years. We wanted to move a bit further afield to enjoy a greener environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city."
An extensive property search led the couple to focus on the rolling Kent countryside, an area which boasts value for money and easy connections to London and the M25. Having explored numerous developments, none could compare to Ryewood in terms of quality, location and value for money. The move has given the couple everything they were looking for in their search for the perfect property.
"A big factor in moving to Ryewood was the sense of being 'countryfied' without being isolated. The development has such beautiful surroundings and instils a real sense of calm. Living adjacent to the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is a bonus and enhances the feeling of space. The grounds are immaculate too, as we have come to expect from Berkeley."
"Moving from an existing Berkeley development, we were already aware of the high standards and specification offered by the homes. Having viewed other developments, Berkeley always stands out from the crowd. We've always found their customer service to be fantastic, with friendly staff who make searching for properties hassle-free. With no hidden costs and brilliant onsite facilities, Berkeley remains a firm first choice for us."
Particularly attractive to the couple are the amenities the development has for keeping fit. "We like to stay in shape so the private on-site gym is a welcome addition. The wildlife reserve adjoined to the development is also a bonus, giving us somewhere pleasant and safe to run, with some wildlife to spot en route!"
Now a thriving community, Ryewood offers stunning landscaping, a residents' gym and children's play areas. Offering the best of both worlds, the homes benefit from their privileged location, positioned just five minutes from the charming town of Sevenoaks, and just a short walk from the peaceful village of Dunton Green.
As a commuter hotspot for London professionals, the development's transport links are a high priority for many buyers at Ryewood. Dunton Green rail station, a five-minute walk away, offers direct links into London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street in less than 40 minutes.
The equity from the sale of Frank and Paul's previous property made the search for their perfect home a possibility. The couple were able to put down a 25 per cent deposit on their new three bedroom home, with a 25 year loan from Santander.
Just two houses remain for sale in the Mulberry Collection at the popular Berkeley Homes Ryewood development. The family homes combine luxury with contemporary design and are located in a peaceful corner of the development. Purchasers can choose between a three or five bedroom property in the latest phase.
Due for completion in early 2016, the homes are priced at £675,000 for the 3 bedroom property and £995,000 for the five bedroom house.
Coming Soon to Ryewood, Woodland Avenue is a new release of one and two bedroom apartments.