Two-year search led downsizer to her perfect home at Steepleton

Beryl Mather, a retired Local Government Officer had lived her whole life in Tameside, near Manchester. However, after becoming widowed and two years of contemplating a move to be nearer to her son, Paul in Wiltshire, she finally felt the time was right and found her perfect home at Pegasus Steepleton in Tetbury.

Beryl explains: “I was originally born in Ashton-under-Lyne then moved to Stalybridge, before settling in Hyde. My last home was a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Audenshaw a little town on the outskirts of Greater Manchester where I lived with my partner until he passed away.”

“I was then living in the home by myself, I had got quite used to the space and tended to use all the rooms and quite liked it. However, as I don’t have any relatives other than my son, grandson, and great grandchildren, I found that I wanted to move closer as it’d be easier for us all to see each other more often. I was about five hours away from my son when in Audenshaw so quite a distance! I was starting to contemplate a move in 2019.  However a subsequent fall where I broke my hip, sealed my decision to move”.

Beryl’s son, Paul and his wife, Gail started a double property hunt, not only for Beryl but also for Gail’s Mum, Sheila and spent time narrowing down a selection of suitable properties that would suit their individual needs. Beryl viewed a range of properties from managed accommodation, to bungalows and apartments in different locations close to the village of Sherston where Paul and Gail live.

Steepleton was the first independent living community they visited:

“As soon as we arrived at Steepleton I knew it was just what I wanted. I’d more or less decided I wanted to live at Steepleton but viewed three other properties regardless. Viewing these sealed my decision that Steepleton was the perfect choice; it felt like an ordinary home compared to other “assisted” accommodation provided elsewhere.”

Beryl was set on the one-bedroom ground floor apartment, it ticked all her boxes and after discussing the options, decided to rent her new home with Lifestory Choices as she explains:

“After discussing with my son the option to rent at Steepleton, we thought it would be a sensible decision for me. If I decided for any reason I wanted to move, it would be easier than having to sell a home. It would also take away a lot of the burden of the upkeep of the home like exterior maintenance. Renting a home comes with less responsibility, yet there was still the option to buy the new home in the future if I wished.”

Beryl was used to the space provided by her previous three-bedroom home but didn’t find downsizing to her one-bedroom apartment an issue thanks to her organisation and precision eye:

“I knew what I wanted to bring from my previous home so I measured everything up to ensure it would fit. The walk in wardrobe and storage in the kitchen in my new home are ideal. Even though it’s only a one bedroom home it’s a good size bedroom, I like the design and the open plan aspect gives a feeling of space.”

Paul’s mother-in-law, Sheila also chose Steepleton to call home as the apartments also catered for her requirements. Beryl, who moved to her new home in October, continues: “The irony is Sheila lives just round the corner, but we’ve never been in each other’s properties yet due to Coronavirus! However, the biggest plus point is that Sheila and I are now both within easy reach of our families and can see them regularly whilst retaining the benefit of being independent and providing them with the reassurance that if they go away for a period, we both have the support of Steepleton to fall back on.  A perfect solution”

For Beryl, the decision to move to Steepleton came easily and she’s found her perfect home in a stunning new location to explore as she concludes: “I’m on the edge of the community and I just love the outlook, it’s perfect. The quality of everything is first class, I love everything about my new home. It feels very safe, there’s someone in the office during the day and security at night. We also have a fantastic telephone system if we need to get in touch with anyone and before the pandemic restrictions were tightened, I attended one of the coffee mornings and dinner before Christmas.”

“Home for me is a place where I can enjoy and totally relax, I always look forward to coming home. I’m quite a home bird, it’s not just a place to sleep and eat it has to be comfortable to enjoy it fully. And this home ticks all those boxes, everything is brand new, so easy to keep clean and definitely worth waiting for!”

Steepleton enjoys an enviable location in Tetbury, nestled in the heart of The Cotswolds making it the perfect base for enjoying the next chapter of your life in a thriving community. To find out more about buying or renting a home at Steepleton contact the team on 01666 848219 or e mail [email protected]. Sale prices start from £299,000 and rental prices start from £1,848pcm.