South East Londoners migrate to Kent

Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd has noticed a definite pattern of purchaser migration to its Holborough development near Maidstone. It is apparent that buyers are following a distinct route out of South East London, via the Greater London Boroughs with Kent postcodes, to finally settle at Holborough in ME6.

Some of Holborough's purchasers are coming from the most urban areas of South East London, with buyers from Peckham, Rotherhithe and Deptford making the move to Snodland. There's also a large band of buyers who have been residing in the DA postcodes, especially from the Greater London Boroughs of Bexley and Bromley.

Holborough is the transformation of a former quarry in Snodland into approximately 1,200 new homes, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family homes. Together, the homes form a brand new community with a strong sense of identity, which is provided by the aesthetically stunning architecture. The Kent setting is attracting a wealth of purchasers from outside of the county. Reasons for moving from London to Holborough include the desire to live in the countryside, a belief that Kent is a better place to raise a family, the availability of value-for-money homes and the prospect of an improved quality of life.

Piers Clanford, Managing Director of Berkeley Homes (Kent) Ltd comments: "It is no surprise that we are seeing large numbers of purchasers from South East London moving to Holborough. It was a trend we first noticed at out previous Leybourne Lakes development, which is close by. The stunning New England-inspired architecture and pastel washed facades at Holborough is a refreshing change to city life. In addition, the new high-speed rail service, opening in 2009, will cut commuter times from nearby Ebbsfleet station to London St Pancras to just 17 minutes - this enhanced commutability appeals to those who need to stay in touch with the capital."

Holborough is also well placed for good schools, shopping at Bluewater, the Kings Hill business park at West Malling and the motorway network. However, the development retains a semi-rural feel, featuring an eight-acre landscaped lake, attractive pond, landscaped communal areas and tranquil water features.

Holborough is also one of only a handful of developments in Kent where a wide variety of accommodation is on offer. One and two-bedroom apartments are neighboured by three, four and five-bedroom homes, which allows purchasers with any size budget to buy a new home, and even downsize or upsize within the same development.

There are currently ten different property styles on offer and this variety gives Holborough added architectural interest, rather than just block after block of the same type of accommodation. Internally, every home benefits from Super E technology, which filters and warms incoming air and creates an airtight environment. Pollen and dust particles are removed, alleviating asthma and hay fever symptoms, and the need to dust is reduced. In addition, warm air doesn't leak out through small gaps, resulting in a naturally warmer home, less dependency on central heating and lower fuel bills.

Londoner's travelling from the capital city to the Kent countryside is not a new thing. Between the mid nineteenth and mid twentieth centuries, hop-pickers would travel from London to Kent for the four-week hop-picking season, with many of the workers eventually moving to the countryside for a better quality of life.

Current prices for the Birchleigh phase at Holborough start from £165,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, from £205,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, from £249,000 for a three-bedroom house, from £265,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse and from £389,950 for a five-bedroom house.

For further information about Holborough, visit Holborough.co.uk.