Hortsley’s welcoming community turned out to be the perfect choice

Living in a detached three-bedroom bungalow with a large garden in Pevensey, near Eastbourne, had become too much for Kathleen Walker, especially since the sad death of her husband John. But it was receiving an invitation to a wine tasting hosted at Pegasus’ (part of Lifestory) community Hortsley in Seaford that finally spurred her decision to move in to action.  

Kathleen (75), a retired Registered Nurse explains: “I knew I had to move somewhere more manageable and smaller but with caring for my husband, who was ill and then dealing with everything following his death, there had been such a lot going on that I had not given much thought as to what I would do next.” 

Kathleen enjoyed a busy life in Eastbourne: “I was very involved in our surrounding community, so I was intending to stay in Eastbourne and find a smaller bungalow or flat. However, after viewing a couple of properties, nothing took my interest. I had been house hunting for a couple of months when an invitation to a wine tasting event dropped on my door mat - the timing was perfect and that was when I first visited the lovely development. A couple more visits later and last December, I decided to reserve a two-bedroom home and put down a deposit.” 

Kathleen had no problem selling her bungalow and had been looking forward to moving to Hortsley in March of this year until lockdown delayed her move until June: “It was such relief to finally move here as selling a house and moving during lockdown was not an easy experience for me. However, now that I’m settled, I love the fact that I do not have to do anything. I have a lovely modern home to enjoy with a wonderful brand-new kitchen, yet no large garden to now worry about. We also have a lovely Lifehost Marie who makes living here easy which is especially handy when I’m not at home and have ordered items to be delivered!” 

Kathleen met her late husband Jon, a pharmacist, at Hackney Children’s hospital where she worked following a stint at Great Ormond Street. The couple married a year later and then moved to Eastbourne where they took over a pharmacy and lived above the shop.  

Moving from Eastbourne, where she had lived for over 30 years, finding a community was most important for Kathleen: “After bringing up our children, I returned to adult nursing for a few years before retiring in 1997. Since retirement, I felt even more ingrained in the Eastbourne community having retrained as a CAB adviser and also starting up a local children’s music group as well as being very involved with my local church. I even dabbled in amateur dramatics but had to give that up to care for my husband when he was ill. I was very involved with the community and it was a big decision to leave that, my church and my friends.”  

However, Kathleen was relieved to find the all-important community feel she was searching for at Hortsley which encouraged her to make the move: “I love the garden areas, communal lounge and friendly atmosphere, we even have an internal phone system set up so owners always have a way of keeping in contact. There is a wonderful social life here to enjoy. We’ll celebrate birthdays or pop to the lounge for a coffee with a neighbour. To me, this is what helps to make Hortsley feel like home – I even discovered that someone from the exact area of my home town was living here'.  

“As I was brought up in Shoreham, I like the feeling of living in a small town by the sea. We are really near to town with a fantastic bus service so I can get around easily. I can visit East Dean village for coffee, I have taken my grandchildren to the zoo in Alfriston and I often go back to Eastbourne for shopping.”  

Kathleen had not intended to move to a later living community but it turned out moving to Hortsley was the best choice for her: “When I finally got to Hortsley, I realised how buying a home here was the right thing to do and I am so glad I made this choice. Since moving, I have found the time and space at last to help me cope with all the changes over the last two years, to process it all and enjoy being a part of a new community.” 

With beautiful homes available in a friendly community priced from £240,000, or £1,150 pcm for rent, make your dream to live by the sea a reality at Hortsley Seaford. To find out more information call the sales team on: 01323 819 035, email: [email protected] or visit lifestory.group/pegasus/our-developments/hortsley