A Home for the Next Chapter: Why Elizabeth Chose Leighwood Fields
Retired Teacher Swaps Shalford for Cranleigh in Search for Simpler Lifestyle
Many homeowners make the decision to downsize in their early 60s to find a home that is easier to maintain, in preparation for later life. For retired secondary school teacher Elizabeth Gibbs that moment came after she found herself living alone in a large four-bedroom detached house following the loss of her husband and mother. Today, she is enjoying a fresh start at Berkeley's Leighwood Fields in Cranleigh, where a smaller, more manageable home has provided peace of mind, a strong sense of community and a home better suited to her current lifestyle.
Knowing It Was Time to Downsize
Elizabeth moved to Shalford in 2009, when her husband and mother both fell ill. She comments: “Our home in Shalford was the right move for our family at the time. Whilst caring for my husband, my mother also became poorly and moved in with us, so we needed a bigger house that meant we could all be together. Sadly, they both passed away in 2015, and I was left rattling around a large four-bedroom, three-storey house alone.”
She continues: “I stayed living at the house as my grandchildren were small, and it was lovely having the space for them to play with their toys and their own dedicated playroom ready for when I looked after them. As they’ve grown older, they didn’t need space for lots of toys, and I was finding it hard to manage a large home by myself. I didn’t need all of that space anymore, and I knew I needed to downsize before I was too old to move.”
Finding the Perfect New Home
Elizabeth began searching for her next home in 2022 but was determined not to rush such an important decision. She says: “A friend of my daughter’s knew of the Leighwood Fields development and suggested I had a look as there were lots of new homes available. I knew I wanted to still be close to my family in Shalford, so I was curious to see it for myself, and find out whether a home here would work for me.”
When Elizabeth first visited Leighwood Fields, the phase under construction was at the opposite end of Cranleigh High Street, which wasn’t where Elizabeth wanted to be. She comments: “I spoke to the sales team and they said that future phases would be coming closer to the High Street again, so I waited patiently for those to become available. In the meantime, I browsed the different house types that would be available, and fell in love with The Brunswick.”
She continues: “I finally reserved a home off-plan in June 2025. When I saw the plans for this particular home I knew it was the one for me. It’s opposite a new community orchard which is beautiful, and is on a corner plot next to the stunning Leighwood Manor apartments. I fell in love with it straight away.”
A Fresh Start at Leighwood Fields
Elizabeth spent the next 13 months watching her new home take shape before moving into Leighwood Fields in May 2026. During the build, she rented a property for six months while her belongings were placed into storage.
Elizabeth says: “One of the great parts of downsizing is the declutter that comes before moving. It’s so freeing! When I was able to move out of the rental and into my new home, I was so happy to be reunited with the belongings that I did decide to keep after renting. It made me appreciate everything even more. Now, my home is so much more manageable, and I actually feel more secure living in a smaller house. I felt lonelier sitting in a huge three-storey house than I do here."
A Home Designed for Modern Living
Speaking on her favourite part of her new home, Elizabeth says: "I'd never lived on a housing development before, but it doesn't feel like an estate at all. It's beautifully designed. My house is so light inside, there are so many windows that let the light in, even when it’s rainy, and that’s going to be excellent when it comes to the winter months. There are five windows in the sitting room alone – everything has just been so well thought out. I love it!”
One of the reasons Elizabeth chose to downsize was to have a more manageable garden space. She says: “I wanted something simple and easy to look after, and that's exactly what I've got. Rather than maintaining flowerbeds, I now just have a patio, small lawn, a trellis and some pots. I’ve bought a Jasmine Tower for the garden, and I’m looking forward to watching that grow!”
Enjoying a Strong Sense of Community
Since moving in, Elizabeth has been impressed with the community feel at Leighwood Fields. She says: “I have met one lady who is the mother of one of my daughter’s friends; she has moved into another new house here and we regularly meet up. Everyone has been so welcoming. The second week after moving in, Berkeley hosted a BBQ and prosecco on the green, which was wonderful and a great opportunity to meet the neighbours, especially for those on their own like me.”
Elizabeth concludes: “I am already recommending Berkeley to all my friends. I have had a number of my Church friends over for afternoon tea since I moved in, and they are all so impressed with the quality! Everyone at Berkeley has been so helpful, from the builders to the sales team. I just love living here, I’m certain I made the right decision!”
Prices at Leighwood Fields currently start at £585,000. For more information, please visit the Leighwood Fields Development Page.
