Home buyers return to city living

According to latest figures from Hometrack the average British person will move home once every 15 years, but whereas in the past many people were attracted by the idea of a rural idyll and might have considered moving to the countryside, since the mid-1990’s there has been a growing trend towards ‘re-urbanisation’. With more than 80% of the population now living in town, it seems that more and more people are being attracted by the benefits of city-living.

This was certainly the case for Edward Hewitt (65) and his wife Susan who, having moved from Central London to Devon 12 months ago, have recently decided to make the return journey to the capital and have bought a spacious new 4 bedroom villa at Crest Nicholson’s GreatWest Gate development in Osterley, West London.

“We really missed the buzz of living in town”, Edward explains. "Although Devon is a beautiful region we always felt that something was missing, and decided that we wanted to return to our roots.

“Osterley seemed to be the perfect choice. With the Piccadilly Line only a short walk away we can get into Central London with ease, yet we’re also close enough to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Richmond and Kew, which are areas I’ve always loved.

GreatWest Gate, located just off the A4 Great West Road with its direct routes into the West End via Hammersmith and Knightsbridge, also lies near Osterley Park, which is an important National Trust Property. Riverside Walks along the Thames provide an almost unbroken path from Kew to Twickenham, while local amenities include a number of shops, boutiques, department stores and supermarkets in nearby Ealing Broadway, Hounslow, and Chiswick High Road.

“Living in Osterley, we are within easy reach of everything we could possibly need”, says Edward. “Now that I’m retired I want to be able to make the most of my spare time, and the cosmopolitan lifestyle of West London suits us both down to the ground.”

Edward and Susan have been enjoying making the most of the space and flexibility offered by the open plan layout of their new home. At three storeys, the 4 bedroom villas feature a modern and adaptable living space with a kitchen/dining room and lounge, as well as 3 double bedrooms with en suite facilities to the master bedroom and a single bedroom with ample storage space.

Edward continues, “The house has a really light and spacious feel and the extra room has proved to be extremely useful. Although it’s just the two of us living here, we’ve got the space and facilities to cater for any visitors and we’re looking forward to being able to welcome both friends and family to our new home.”

The couple moved into the 4 bedroom villa at GreatWest Gate last month, and were so impressed with the way in which Crest Nicholson handled the purchasing process that they soon decided to invest in a second Crest Nicholson property.

As Edward says: “We love living in town, but decided that it would also be good to own a second property to use as a holiday home. The sea-port lifestyle, although it might not be ideal as a full-time option, still really appealed and Crest Nicholson’s The Quadrant development in Southampton seemed to offer the ideal solution.”

As a result, the couple have also purchased a contemporary 1 bedroom apartment at The Quadrant, which boasts all the benefits of city-centre living, including proximity to superb shopping and entertainment facilities, as well as an attractive coastal location that is proving to be an instant hit amongst those looking for solid south-coast investment opportunities.

“With our earlier experience at GreatWest Gate we knew and trusted Crest Nicholson, and so it made sense for us to consider them for alternative investment opportunities. Crest Nicholson homes are all in great, easily accessible locations and are sensibly priced in a way that allows the average investor to make the most of his options. The Quadrant is the perfect bolt-hole for us.” Edward says.

“Furthermore, the fact that GreatWest Gate is a gated development gives us the peace of mind of knowing that our home is secure when we go on holiday, meaning that we can really relax and enjoy our time away. With a base in London, and a holiday home by the sea, we now really do have the best of both worlds!” he concludes.

Prices at GreatWest Gate start from £219,950 for a one bedroom apartment, whilst 4-bed villas are priced from £479,950. Prices at The Quadrant start from £129,950. For more information, visit Crestnicholson.com.