Homeowner stories: Susan & James finding their retirement haven at Merston Manor
In the tranquil village of Walton on the Hill in Surrey, James and Susan Boase discovered more than just a new-build home, they found a sanctuary all of their own, thanks to Elivia Homes’ Merston Manor development.
Moving from the bustling streets of Esher where they had been for more than 20 years, James and Susan wanted to embrace a new chapter in their life as retirees and be close to their daughter and family who had recently settled back into the UK.
Starting a new chapter as retirees
Susan said: “We wanted to be a stone's throw away from them so that we could see our grandchildren and be on hand for child-minding purposes – and to become part of a close-knit community again as a fresh start for ourselves.”
“When we made the decision to move, the prospect of buying an energy efficient new build was at the top of our wish list. We’d had the family home for many years and no longer had the desire, energy, or passion to start costly, messy and time-consuming renovation work.”
The couple wanted a minimal maintenance home, with the highest specification fixtures and fittings, contemporary open plan living, a good-sized garden and enough bedrooms to accommodate their grandchildren.
Finding their perfect new home
In November 2022, they discovered Elivia’s Merston Manor development, and driving by each week they watched the homes take shape, witnessing first-hand their exclusivity, nestled within a private, gated community.
James adds: “As soon as we stepped foot through the door of the show home, we could feel a connection to the home and it had a lovely, luxurious ambience. The layout was meticulously designed, and we knew there and then it would provide a perfect canvas for us to make our own.”
Fast forward over a year and they both agree they are as much in love with their Elivia home today as they were the day they collected their keys.
Susan adds: “We originally wanted the show home, but because our property fell through during the initial sale we lost out. We effortlessly reserved and moved into a lovely four-bedroom property on the development, and we could not be happier! Our garden, which isn’t overlooked, is the perfect size for maintaining ourselves and our kitchen is at the very heart of our home – whether there’s just the two of us or when friends or family come over to visit.”
Reflecting on their journey, James emphasises the importance of seizing the opportunity to move and buying a new with a stress-free process. “Being in our seventies and having gone through the process of moving, we recommend buying and living with Elivia Homes to anyone. Our move was seamless and the team at Elivia made it completely stress free from beginning to end, and the fact that we don’t have any maintenance to do is wonderful and our lifestyle exactly what we wanted.”
James and Susan’s integration into their local community has been easy, bolstered by shared interests in local rambling, volunteering and fishing as well as plenty of family gatherings just down the road.
Winner of Surrey Property Awards Best Boutique Development, Merston Manor offers the ideal location for exploring the North Downs. This exclusive development features a mixture of two-, three- and four bedroom apartments and detached homes. The village, Walton on the Hill, has ample amenities and is situated just a short distance from Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty.