Families swap houses for apartments at Image in Hemel Hempstead
With a steep rise in house prices being reported since the beginning of 2010*, families choosing to raise their young children in town and city centre apartments, as opposed to larger, more expensive houses in the countryside are becoming a more common phenomenon.
Like our European neighbours, an increasing number of families are finding themselves happier with apartment living, prioritising communal gardens and local amenities over a second hand home.
For Craig (32) and Elena Andersen (29), central Hemel Hempstead was where they wanted to be for their daughter Sasha’s first years. Having looked at several different properties in the area, they found the perfect home in a family-friendly location at Dandara’s Image development in the centre of the town.
Hemel Hempstead caters extremely well for families
Craig comments: “We had been renting a two-bedroom apartment in nearby Apsley, but with Sasha’s first year having flown by, we wanted to find a nice location with good schools and a safe, friendly environment in which she can grow up. Hemel Hempstead caters extremely well for families; we have great parkland, which is part of the Boxmoor Trust, on our doorstep, and there are plenty of childcare facilities conveniently located nearby.”
Elena continues: “We chose Image because it is right in the centre of town; I’d much rather be here in a brand new apartment than in the middle of the countryside with none of my friends nearby or amenities that I can get to easily. It’s so great being able to walk into town in a matter of minutes and there is a leisure centre next door, which is great for my social life. I can take Sasha swimming and there is also a crèche there for when I want to do my own activities.”
Image has seen Dandara revamp the previously empty Kodak building in Hemel Hempstead, adding two levels to make it 22-storeys high, ensuring it continues to be a well known local landmark and a focal point for the innovative mixed-use development. Located on Station Road, Image combines new build and refurbishment and comprises a selection of one and two bedroom apartments and a series of retail units that will be home to small shops and cafes.
The development is centred round a landscaped piazza with a piece of specially commissioned public art at the heart of the space. A newly constructed footbridge will link the piazza to the recently created Riverside shopping centre.
A family friendly apartment community
Elena continues: “Image has attracted a range of different people, but it is also an extremely family friendly apartment community. The piazza will be a great place for me to meet up with other mums and have a coffee; the outside space in the development is also perfect for when I want to take Sasha for a quick walk to get her to sleep. There are lifts in the main apartment building which makes it easy with a pushchair and having no stairs in the apartment is great, it means I can keep my eye on Sasha very easily. The apartment also uses space extremely effectively so there is plenty of storage for her toys!”
Car club
Residents at Image will also benefit from, a concierge service. Hemel Hempstead station is just 0.7 miles away, from where regular trains to London Euston station take approximately 26 minutes and trains to Milton Keynes take approximately 30 minutes.
Culture and convenience
Michelle Harris, UK South Sales Director for Dandara, comments: “What tempts people to Image is the culture and convenience. Hemel Hempstead has a lot to offer everybody; particularly young families who don’t want to lose their independence by moving out to the suburbs. The open-plan style of the apartments means there is a plenty of space for the whole family and the piazza, when it is complete, will become a great social point for all of the families with young children that are moving to the development.”
Find out more about the apartments in Hemel Hempstead
Prices at Image start from £150,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £235,000 for a two bedroom. The show apartments are available for viewing, by appointment only, Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm. To make an appointment, or for more information on Image, call: 01442 838120 or visit the Image apartments website
*Source http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/borrowing/mortgages/7016842/House-prices-rise-in-buoyant-start-to-2010.html
The Anderson family at the Image apartments in Hemel Hempstead (Picture 01)
The Anderson family at the Image apartments in Hemel Hempstead (Picture 02)
Baby Sasha exploring the new apartment at Image
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