Hong Kong Family Relocates to Harland Village, Hampshire for a Brighter Future
Moving house, changing jobs or downsizing are all sacrifices some parents make in order to get their children into a desired school. For Debbie (38) and her husband Eric (40), they chose to make a move of over 6,000 miles to Fleet, Hampshire from Hong Kong, to get the best education for their four year old son, Aayden. Since moving into their new home at Berkeley’s Hartland Village in April 2025, the family are now settled and enjoying exploring the new country they call home, with their chihuahua Roll in tow.
Why Choose Hampshire for Family Living?
Debbie and Eric had lived in Hong Kong their whole lives before they decided to move to the UK. After welcoming their son in 2020, living in a high-rise apartment in a fast-paced city wasn’t what they wanted anymore. Debbie comments: “My sister moved to the UK in 2022, and we frequently came to visit her here after she moved. My husband and I both loved the different lifestyle that the UK could offer; being here, our son could grow up surrounded by the countryside and have a more relaxed, all-rounded education. So, we made the decision to relocate in time for him to start school in September 2025.”
Life at Hartland Village: Community and Countryside
Debbie went on to discuss different way of live they have experienced at Hartland Village: “We’re all loving the change in lifestyle. Aayden has settled into his new school really well, and we’re enjoying exploring Fleet and the local countryside at weekends. We’re so lucky to have Hartland Country Park on our doorstep where we regularly go for bike rides, and our chihuahua, Roll, loves chasing birds at Fleet Pond, which is also really nearby.”
Finding the Perfect Berkeley Home
As they lived over 6,000 miles away, Debbie’s sister was key in securing their new home. Debbie explains: “Living in Hong Kong, we were unable to view this particular home in person ourselves, but luckily my sister was already in the UK and able to help us. She sent us links to developments that were close to her house, so we could get a feel for UK properties. We decided that we liked the quality of Berkeley’s homes the best, so my sister sent us links to different Berkeley developments in the South of England.”
“Hartland Village really stuck out to us as it’s in the English countryside, and the school options in Fleet are brilliant. So, my sister kindly visited the site and video-called us when she was there, so that we could see the available properties. She and the Berkeley sales team also sent me lots of videos and pictures, so we could truly get a feel for the home we were going to buy.”
Debbie and Eric had a few non-negotiables when they were looking for their UK home. Debbie comments: “It was really important for us to find a home that we could truly relax in. A good-sized kitchen was crucial, as our previous apartment had a tiny kitchen and it was very hard to cook. I also love the sunshine, so we wanted to find a home with a south-facing garden, so we could make the most of the sunshine all year round. This home has both of these things! The kitchen is much bigger with lots of separate work stations, so I’m enjoying baking my own bread, pastries and treats for my son. Our garden is a lovely size, and the sun has been flooding through the windows most days, even though it’s the winter now.”
Harland Village: A Growing Community
The family are enjoying getting to know their new neighbours at Hartland Village. Debbie comments: “There’s such a strong community at Hartland Village. We’ve got to know our immediate neighbours really well, and we regularly share home baked goods with them. Berkeley also puts on events for the residents once a month, so that’s been a great way to build new friendships.”
Future Plans and Recommendations
Speaking of the future in their new home, Debbie says: “At the moment we’re really looking forward to decorating for our first Christmas here. It will be so magical for our son to wake up on Christmas morning and have plenty of space to play with his new toys, and just spend lots of quality time together. Next year, we may think about decorating, but for now this home is perfect for us just the way it is.”
Debbie concludes: “We’d certainly recommend buying a home with Berkeley. They are an excellent developer; the design and quality of their homes are just exceptional, and the customer service is brilliant. Their sales team were there every step of the way and gave advice whenever we needed it. Every time there’s a new phase here, I encourage my sister to check it out. It’s just such a lovely place to call home.”
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