December 7th 2024.
Welcome back to the latest installment of Metro's property series, What I Own, where we chat with homeowners about their journey of getting on the property ladder. This week, we're excited to be back in the vibrant city of London, catching up with Hazel Waite and Simon McNair. They've been living in their one-bedroom flat in Kidbrooke since 2021, and have truly made it their own with leafy plants, colorful wall prints, and unique trinkets.
In our previous feature, we met Arooj Aftab, who shared her experience of renting a two-bedroom flat in East London with her sister for £1,780 a month. Not only does she have access to a state-of-the-art gym, but her monthly payment also includes a free coffee subscription and a co-working space. But for now, let's dive into Hazel and Simon's property journey...
First off, could you tell us a bit about yourselves? How old are you, what do you do for a living, and where are you based?
We're both 37 years old, and have been happily settled in our careers for quite some time now. Hazel is a sales and events manager, while Simon is a psychologist. As for our location, we live in the lovely Loder House in Berkeley's Kidbrooke Village, situated in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
And what do you think of the area?
We absolutely love it! Being in Zone 3, it strikes the perfect balance between city living and tranquility. As soon as you step into Pegler Square from the train station, you're immediately transported from the hustle and bustle of London, while still having all the perks of living in one of the most sought-after boroughs. Plus, the area is surrounded by beautiful parks and green spaces, like Cator Park and Sutcliffe Park, which even has a charming duck pond.
Wow, what a view!
Yes, it's truly a peaceful oasis. We also appreciate the strong sense of community here in Kidbrooke Village, as well as the convenience of having everything we need within reach. Plus, having a resident's gym on site is a major perk. We're also lucky to be so close to Blackheath, a lovely local area with a farmers' market every Sunday. We love browsing and supporting the local vendors, and of course, indulging in some delicious organic food and wine.
We're quite fond of walking, and it only takes us 45 minutes to stroll into Greenwich from here. The park offers a stunning view of Canary Wharf, which is always a treat.
When did you move in?
We moved into Kidbrooke Village in 2021, and we're now celebrating three years as proud homeowners and members of this wonderful community.
And how much was your deposit? How did you save up for it?
Our deposit was £26,000, mainly from our own savings and our ISA. We were also fortunate enough to receive some financial assistance from our families, which helped cover some of the legal costs.
So, how much did your property cost?
Our flat was priced at £460,000.
And what are your monthly expenses, including mortgage and bills?
Our mortgage is £800 a month, with an additional £200 for the service charge. As for bills, we pay £140 for council tax, £40 for water, and £50 each for electricity and heating. We also spend around £180 each on travel into London.
Can you share some details about your mortgage?
We have a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 1.6%.
Where did you live before this? Were you renting or living with family?
Before moving to Kidbrooke Village, we were renting a place together in Clapham. Dealing with an unreasonable landlord was becoming too much, and like many young couples, we wanted a more secure future. That's when we decided to take the leap and apply for a mortgage. As soon as we got the keys and stepped into our new home, we felt a sense of relief.
It's been three years now, and we've only just painted the walls. In rental properties, we never had the freedom to make changes like that. It's liberating to finally have a place that truly feels like our own.
The kitchen is bright, airy, and modern.
Thank you, we love it too!
So, how did you come across this property? What made you choose it?
Like most people, we started by searching online. We wanted a location that was easily commutable to the city, and Kidbrooke Village was one of the top options. We decided to visit our top three choices in one day, and this flat stood out to us the most. One of the main factors was its close proximity to the train station, which is incredibly convenient. Some of the other places we saw felt a bit isolated, but this one felt like a perfect fit for us.
Speaking of commutes, how's the journey into the city from here?
It's great! There are at least four trains an hour in the mornings, and we can reach London Bridge in just 17 minutes. It's a breeze compared to our previous commute.
And what was the process of getting a mortgage like? Did you face any challenges?
The Berkeley team was extremely helpful throughout the entire process. They made everything clear and straightforward for us. Buying a home can be quite stressful, but they put our minds at ease, and everything went smoothly. We were able to move in within a few months.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Hazel and Simon. It's been lovely catching up with you both. We wish you all the best in your new home and community!
This week, we're back in the bustling city of London, exploring another exciting property in our series, What I Own. We are delighted to introduce you to Hazel Waite and Simon McNair, who have graciously invited us into their one-bedroom flat in Kidbrooke. Since moving in just a year ago, they have transformed their space into a cozy and personalized home, filled with lush plants, vibrant prints, and unique trinkets.
Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting Arooj Aftab in East London, where she shares a two-bedroom flat with her sister. With the amenities included in her rent, such as a coffee subscription, co-working space, and gym access, Arooj has found renting to be a cost-effective and convenient option. But now, let's hear more about Hazel and Simon's journey as homeowners.
To start off, can you tell us a bit about yourselves? Where are you from and what do you do for work?
My name is Hazel Waite, and I'm a 37-year-old sales and events manager. My partner, Simon McNair, is also 37 and works as a psychologist. We both love living in London and have made it our home for many years now.
Let's talk about your property. Where is it located, and what do you think of the area?
We are lucky enough to live in Loder House, part of Berkeley's Kidbrooke Village in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We absolutely love this area! It's a perfect balance of accessibility and tranquility. When we enter Pegler Square from the train station, we immediately feel like we've been transported away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while still having all the benefits of living in one of London's most desirable boroughs.
One of the best things about Kidbrooke is the abundance of beautiful parks and green spaces. Cator Park and Sutcliffe Park, which has been awarded Green Flag status, are just a few of our favorites. We even have a lovely duck pond nearby!
We can't forget to mention the stunning view we have from our windows. We love taking walks through the park, and it only takes us 45 minutes to reach Greenwich. It's a lovely way to spend a weekend afternoon, with a breathtaking view of Canary Wharf.
When did you move into your current home?
We moved into Kidbrooke Village in 2021, and we couldn't be happier with our decision to become homeowners. It's been three years now, and we've truly become a part of this wonderful community.
Let's talk numbers. How much was your deposit, and how did you save for it?
Our deposit was £26,000, which we mainly saved up ourselves. We also received a generous gift from our family, which helped cover some of the legal costs.
And how much did your property cost?
Our property was £460,000.
What is your monthly cost of living, including mortgage and bills?
Our mortgage is £800 per month, and we also pay a £200 service charge. As for bills, our council tax is £140, water is £40, and electricity and heating are both £50. We also spend around £180 each on travel into London.
Can you tell us more about your mortgage?
We have a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at a 1.6% interest rate.
Where were you living before this? Were you renting or living with family?
Before moving to Kidbrooke Village, we were renting in Clapham with an unreasonable landlord. Like many young couples, we wanted a more stable future, and we were unsure if buying a home was even possible for us.
What made you decide to buy a property instead of continuing to rent?
Dealing with our landlord was becoming too much, so we decided to apply for a mortgage. The moment we received the keys to our flat, it felt like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders. After three years of living here, we finally feel like we have a space that truly belongs to us. We recently painted the walls, something we had never been able to do in a rental property. It's been a liberating and rewarding experience.
How did you come across this property, and what made you choose it?
Like many people, we started our search online, and Kidbrooke Village caught our eye. We picked our top three options and visited them all in one day. The convenience of having a train station just a stone's throw away was a huge factor for us. Other properties we saw felt isolated, but Kidbrooke Village has a sense of community that we fell in love with.
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Were there any challenges?
The Berkeley team was incredibly helpful throughout the buying process. They explained everything clearly, which made things much less stressful for us. We were able to move in within a few months, and we couldn't be happier with our experience.
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