A story over two storeys - Pam and Neville, Steepleton, Tetbury

“It’s so important to look outward, as well as within the community you choose, when making a move at this stage of life. Friendships are so important but they won’t just materialise - you have to put yourself out there!”

For Neville and Pam, making the move to their two-storey duplex apartment in Steepleton, Tetbury, was a big decision. Not only were there the logistical and physical challenges of moving home to consider, but they were leaving behind an active social life and established network of friends; so the decision to move to be closer to family was not an easy one to make.

“We had to start afresh. We’re lucky that whilst there are so many events happening so frequently here at Steepleton, we also knew we wanted to reach beyond where we live and become part of the wider community, too. It’s so important to look outward, as well as within the community you choose, when making a move at this stage of life. Friendships are so important but they won’t just materialise - you have to put yourself out there!”

Fortunately, the couple have been able to involve themselves in the social scene in Tetbury in various ways. Pam has also been able to get involved with the Steepleton Craft Club, supporting their hugely successful Christmas Craft Market in 2024, and even working on a project to create blankets for orphaned baby rhinos in Africa!

The pair are still keeping some social connections back in Bristol as they visit friends frequently: “We’re both still very fit and mobile and able to travel back and forth when needed. But equally, due to the ideal location of Steepleton, we often don’t need the car. We enjoy walking to the Arts Centre in the Tetbury Goods Shed down the road, or one of the many local coffee shops in Tetbury. There’s a lovely walk down the railway line - about an hour each way - which we do as well.”

Staying active in later life was one of the things that led Neville and Pam to choose a duplex apartment at Tetbury. “Pam explains, “We’ve got used to living over two storeys and also having our own individual space. We didn’t want to feel like we were living on top of each other. This space, we find, is much better for two people. You’ve got to still be fit and mobile to use the stairs, but equally we know there is the option to install a lift in later years if we need to.”

The two-storey design of the apartment wasn’t the only thing that attracted the couple to their home. “The main thing we were struck with when we walked into this apartment was how light it is,” Neville says, “We also love how quiet it is on the development.”

Steepleton offers a collection of duplex apartments, many of which overlook the outdoor swimming pond, which Neville has enjoyed with his family in the summer months. The attraction of a duplex apartment, for many of our residents as it was for Neville and Pam, is retaining the two-storey living that they have become accustomed to, whilst still ‘right-sizing’, removing clutter and reducing maintenance. Regular, light physical activity such as stair climbing also has many health benefits. It’s also invaluable to our duplex residents to have the extra room to be able to have personal space, as well as shared. Neville and Pam have chosen to set up their downstairs bedroom as an additional sitting room, to ensure they’ve got plenty of room for their individual hobbies and activities, without feeling crowded.

“Parting with a 3 bedroom house’s worth of belongings is not an easy task,” says Pam, “but luckily for the move we used the Aprico service. It was sad to see a lot of our things going to charity but in using Aprico, we didn’t have to physically take it ourselves, which eased the emotional burden a bit!”  “The move itself went very well.” says Neville, “As well as using the Aprico service, we were also able to stay in the Steepleton guest suite for two nights whilst the move was all taking place. The staff here have been so helpful - during the move and after.” 

Duplex apartments at Steepleton are available to purchase from £350,000. To find out more about the community and the benefits of two-storey living in later life, contact our sales team on [email protected] or 01666 848219.