Testimonial
Embracing village community life at Woodgate
Jenny, a retired Headteacher, has found her ideal home and community at our Woodgate development in Pease Pottage, West Sussex.
Having previously lived in a traditional semi-detached property in Crawley which required constant upkeep, Jenny opted for a low-maintenance lifestyle in a one-bedroom apartment. Drawn by the greenery, open space, friendliness and facilities at Woodgate, Jenny now enjoys a new sense of independence with a strong community and peace of mind for her future.
Volunteering and caring for the elderly are important parts of Jenny’s life. She regularly volunteers at Crawley Hospital, supporting elderly patients with chats, quizzes and creative activities. Following her move to Woodgate, Jenny hopes to extend her volunteering support to St Catherine’s Hospice, which is located in the development. This sense of community spirit is a quality she believes is mirrored throughout Woodgate.
“I’m a people person, and Woodgate has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I remember the first time I came here. I came for a coffee with a friend and we sat in the café overlooking the big village green. We were both struck by how friendly everyone was and how beautiful and peaceful it was here. I remember watching children play and neighbours chatting and I thought to myself that I’d like to live here.”
Jenny’s new home at Woodgate provides her with the ideal combination of independence and future-proof features. Her apartment, one of only eight at the development, offers Jenny the privacy and space she values, with all the amenities and easy access to public transport on her doorstep.
“This home gives me total independence, though I feel part of a community. It truly has taken away the stress of living alone, which had previously weighed me down,” Jenny shares. “The apartment is so easy to manage, and features like a high-tech security system, a lift to my apartment and lovely light open-plan living space with lots of storage, means I have all the comforts I need for now and for the future.
“The apartment has removed all the stress of looking after a garden. Here I can enjoy all the surrounding greenery, such as the pathways around the landscaped grounds and through the Tilgate Forest, without the responsibility of looking after them! Instead, I have a large balcony so I’m transitioning my gardening skills to my pots, which is a lot more manageable and enjoyable,” Jenny continues.
Beyond her home and the surrounding greenery, Woodgate’s amenities and transport links have also proved a huge hit. “The café and shop are very social and are perfect for catching up with the friends I’ve already made here. I can see already the shop will come into its own when I can’t drive or during bad weather, and it’s reassuring to have these amenities within a short walking distance. I’m also looking forward to joining the over-50s yoga and Pilates classes too,” says Jenny.
After the challenges Jenny faced with her previous home purchase, which fell through last-minute, Jenny was impressed by our assistance in guiding her through a smooth moving process and high standard of aftercare. “Thakeham has been wonderful. Their team was incredibly supportive, with even minor issues being handled quickly,” she says.
Reflecting on her experience, Jenny feels Woodgate was the perfect choice: “I feel settled and secure here and part of a lovely community where everyone looks out for each other. Even my apartment building is a little community itself, within the wider Woodgate community. I’ve enjoyed a glass of wine with my neighbours and we all help each other out”.
Woodgate is now over 85% sold. For the last chance to be part of this thriving community, one and two-bedroom apartments start from £255,000 and three, four and five-bedroom homes from £399,995.
