After more than a decade living in Singapore, David and Mattika Bano knew the time was right to come home. The couple, along with their 13-year-old daughter Jessica, were looking for the perfect place to settle back into life in the UK and they found it at our Bluebell Gardens development in Wivelsfield Green.
Originally from Bournemouth, David has spent much of his career working internationally in the financial sector. Having met his wife Mattika in Thailand and then living together in Central London, the couple relocated to Hong Kong in 2011 for David’s work with a global bank, before moving to Singapore two years later. “We loved our time in Asia, it was a fantastic experience both personally and professionally,” said David. “But we’d always known we’d return to the UK one day, especially so Jessica could experience school and life here.”
With family in the UK getting older and Jessica approaching a key stage in her education, the Banos decided to make the move before she started Year 9. “It felt like the right moment,” he continued. “We wanted Jessica to settle into her school and make friends before her GCSEs began”.
The family arrived back in the UK in July and moved into their new four-bedroom detached home at Bluebell Gardens just a few weeks later – perfect timing for the new school term.
Finding the perfect home
When it came to choosing where to live, Wivelsfield Green quickly stood out. “One of my friends lives locally, and after visiting them we really liked the area,” said David. “The village has a lovely feel to it, and the transport connections are great. I work in London three days a week and from Burgess Hill train station I can be in Central London in just over an hour. Having previously lived in North London, my commute now is only 10 minutes longer, but we get to live in a stunning countryside location instead.”
Initially, the Banos thought they would rent while they found their feet, but after researching the local market, David started to explore new-build options. “We were drawn to the idea of a fresh start in a brand-new home,” he adds. “Bluebell Gardens really stood out for its design, quality, and sense of community. With only 45 homes, it feels private and neighbourly without being too big or overwhelming.”
Space, light, and flexibility
Having spent years living in apartments and condos abroad, the family were thrilled with the space their new home offers - both inside and out. David continued: “It’s one of the largest homes on the development, and we absolutely love the layout. The living room, with its big bay window, is our favourite space. It’s bright, comfortable, and perfect for relaxing together.
“As we only need two bedrooms to sleep in, we’ve been able to turn one into a guest room, and plan to use the fourth as a family gym. It’s lovely having that flexibility.”
The south-facing garden, high specification of the interiors, and quality of finish have all impressed the family. “You can tell Elivia Homes really care about the build and design details. Everything feels premium and well thought through.”
A seamless buying experience
Buying a home and securing a mortgage while still overseas has its challenges, but the Elivia team were able to make the part they played in the experience as straight forward as possible. “The customer service was exceptional,” David said. “The team were calm, professional, and incredibly supportive throughout the process, even with us being abroad for most of it. They made everything as easy as it could be.
“We’re so settled here already and have slotted back into UK living really well. Mattika has secured a local job as a chef in a restaurant in Haywards Heath, and Jessica is loving the local area and her new school. For us, Bluebell Gardens was the perfect place to begin our next chapter.”
Are you ready to join the Bano family and find your perfect family home? Visit Bluebell Gardens today to explore our showhome, or call 07949 528 898 to speak to Clare in the sales office.