Downsizing for Retirement in Kent: A Smart Move for Modern Living
A Kent couple have discovered the benefits of downsizing for retirement after finding their ideal retirement property in Kent at Foal Hurst Green in Paddock Wood. Read their story in our case study.
Finding a Retirement Property in Kent
When retired couple Kate (61) and Keith (66) Merrin visited Berkeley’s Foal Hurst Green development in Paddock Wood one Saturday afternoon looking for renovation inspiration, they didn’t expect to reserve a new home by Monday. Now, the couple say the spontaneous decision was one of the best they’ve made in retirement.
Kate and Keith have lived in Paddock Wood since 2007, in a four-bedroom home just around the corner from Foal Hurst Green. The property included a garden annexe, where they ran their business training company for 27 years.
In 2022 the couple began preparing for retirement by stepping back from the family business and handing it over to their daughter and son-in-law. Initially, they planned to stay in their home while their daughter continued running the business there, and were simply exploring renovation ideas for the property when they visited the development for the first time.
Why Downsizing to a New Build Made Sense
Kate explains: "We originally visited Foal Hurst Green looking for renovation inspiration for our old house. Apart from the other activities I’d been getting up to since retiring – swimming, dog walks, and writing a book– I’d caught the home-reno bug. But once we saw the homes, we realised renovating would cost far more time and money than we expected. Buying new suddenly made much more sense than months of disruption and DIY.”
New Build Homes vs Renovation: Key Benefits
Although their previous property was a second-hand home when they bought it in 2007, Keith and Kate were no stranger to new builds. Keith comments: “The last time we visited and purchased a new build was in the 1990s, and things were very different then compared to new builds now. We moved in and still had to spend our first few weeks buying the finishing touches, such as door knobs, door stops and towel rails! Our properties since then have been second-hand, and have all needed constant work. At Foal Hurst Green, everything was ready from day one, so instead of worrying about repairs and finishing touches, we could simply move in and enjoy retirement.”
Keith continues: “Looking back to the weekend we purchased, we were as close to spur of the moment as you can be with a homebuying journey. Though on paper we have technically downsized from four bedrooms to three, we've actually upsized to a larger square footage. The layout is much more efficient and we have plenty of space to host family and friends when they come over, but also separate rooms to give us space individually when we need it. This is especially good for Kate when, as captain of the local bowls club, I host members in our dining room for our meetings! We also immediately felt a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere.”
Family-First Living: Supporting the Next Generation
The couple’s move has also created a new opportunity for the next generation of the family.
Keith reflects: “We were lucky enough to not need to sell our home, so our daughter has now moved into our previous property and is essentially our tenant. This means she can run the business from the base we created for it, whilst also having her own space and being able to grow her family there. Their previous home was with shared ownership, and they were able to sell their shares in that property to move into a bigger family home. It feels like a positive new chapter for all of us, with homes that better suit each stage of family life.”
The Merrin’s new three-bedroom home at Foal Hurst Green has given the couple the freedom to fully step away from their business and enjoy their retirement.
Kate notes: “I think it’s important how much Keith has been able to psychologically detach from work since moving house. So much of what we have invested over two decades is tied to that home setup such that, as we pass the baton onto our daughter and son-in-law, it’s good to turn the page with a fresh backdrop.”
Life at Foal Hurst Green, Paddock Wood
Foal Hurst Green is a collection of three to five-bedroom homes with 12 acres of meadows and direct access to the 29 acres of Foal Hurst Wood. The neighbourhood itself features a duck pond, play areas and beautifully landscaped open spaces. Close to well-performing schools and a short walk away from Paddock Wood town centre with trains to London in 41 minutes, the neighbourhood is ideally placed for commuters, families and those seeking the perfect blend of greenery and local town community.
Keith says: “It’s the best of both worlds living here as we’re still just a ten-minute walk to our old home. We can take our daughter’s dog for walks in the lovely wildlife meadow which our new house overlooks, and there’s a playground on the development that we can take the grandkids to when they visit. I play pickleball and bowls, whilst Kate keeps busy with lots of individual hobbies. Keeping our roots in this wider community, where we raised our family and now partake in groups like the U3A, is really important to us.”
Why New Build Homes Are Ideal for Retirement
Kate says: “Having a new build where everything is done for you, it’s very easy for us to lock up and go on holiday for as long as we want as we don’t have to worry about ongoing maintenance of the house or the garden. Knowing we’ll return back to exactly what we left is a game-changer for future travel adventures.”
Kate reflects: “When you know, you know. We’re so pleased to have purchased a new-build home that not only feels like the retirement refresh button, but has opened up opportunity for our whole family. We’d strongly recommend buying with Berkeley. From the sales team we met on that first day, to the aftercare team, the customer service has truly been exceptional.”
Find your retirement home at Foal Hurst Green
Prices at Foal Hurst Green start from £570,000. Visit the Foal Hurst Green development page online to find out more or register your interest.