Dandara's Willow Grove development gives family the space they need to work from home
With 52 per cent of consumers wanting to improve their work/life balance following the pandemic, there have been increasing numbers of people relocating to bigger homes and more green spaces - particularly as working from home becomes the new normal.* One family that has done just this are Ayo Adigun, Wariara Waireri and their daughter, Tobi, who previously rented a two-bedroom apartment in Maidstone, Kent. They have now bought a spacious three-bedroom house at Dandara’s Willow Grove, Collier Street development.
Ayo, Wariara and Tobi were the first purchasers and the first people to move into the Willow Grove development, in October. Ayo, a Principal Electronics Design Engineer, and Wariara, a Senior Manager in International Development are both currently working from home due to the pandemic. They are appreciating the additional living space a larger property affords whilst enjoying the tranquillity of their new countryside surroundings. The move has not only allowed them to be more productive with work but also find more balance with family life.
Ayo commented: The garden was a big draw for us, the property overlooks a meadow which provides amazing views and lots of privacy. After the first lockdown, it was important for us to live in the countryside and have that escape and fresh air right on our doorstep - especially with a younger child. The move couldn’t have come at a better time as myself and Wariara are working from home more than ever and we needed the extra space. We have made one of the rooms into a study which works perfectly.”
When life does return to normal, Willow Grove also benefits from appealing commuter links such as fact access to the M20, A21 and M25 motorways. London is also accessible by train in under 40 minutes via Paddock Wood station, which is only five miles away. These links will not only be useful for future work commitments, but will enable Ayo and Wariara to see family and friends with ease.
Ayo continued: “We have rented in Maidstone for ten years and we’ve always known we wanted to buy in the area, but it has been a long search to find the right property. After looking around Willow Grove, we felt it was the perfect fit for our young family as it is spacious and surrounded by beautiful countryside, which is exactly what we were looking for following lockdown. We also felt like we could trust Dandara, which made all the difference. Dandara has a very personal approach and kept in constant communication with us, which made the whole process a lot easier.”
Louise Norman, Associate Sales & Marketing Director at Dandara South East, commented: “We’re so pleased that Ayo, Wariara and Tobi were able to finally find a home they loved and have them as our first residents. The layout of the homes at Willow Grove are perfect for those needing more space to work from home, so it is no wonder that it attracted Ayo and Wariara. The development is now over 50% sold and is proving to be very popular with families as well as first time buyers. Buyers are coming from as far afield as London reflecting a shifting of priorities following lockdown.”
Willow Grove is located in Collier Street, between the popular villages of Laddingford, Yalding and Marden in Kent. It’s perfect for those that want the best of both worlds in an idyllic corner of the ‘Garden of England’. Aside from the nature and fresh air, the area benefits from an array of local farm shops; the Yalding Farmers Market which is ideal for food lovers and only sells produce from within a six mile radius; craft breweries; vineyards; specialist butchers and countryside pubs.
Ayo adds: “We love the community spirit in Maidstone, it’s a very safe area and we have friends and family close by. The local area has everything we need within easy reach. There are excellent schools for Tobi that are just down the road and lots of activities for her like horse riding and cycling, as well as parks nearby. It’s a very convenient and family friendly place to live!”
Paddock Wood and Maidstone offer a range of independent shops and cafés. There are a wealth of shopping and leisure opportunities available with Bluewater Shopping Centre and Ashford Designer Outlet less than an hour away. The area is particularly popular with families looking to buy due to the five Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ as well as notable grammar schools nearby including: Maidstone Grammar School and Invicta Grammar School within a five-mile radius.
Prices at Willow Grove currently start at £535,000 for a four-bedroom home.
* https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/property/42-of-potential-buyers-want-to-try-before-they-buy.html
Willow Grove
Willow Grove is a small, new development of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom detached homes in an idyllic rural setting close to Marden, Paddock Wood and Royal Tunbridge Wells.
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