Elizabeth Wood knew that taking the decision to move from a big house with a large garden would be difficult \u2013 particularly when she\u2019d lived there for 35 years with her late husband and their family but, ultimately, it turned out to be the right move.<\/p>\n
Her former home, a few miles outside Chipping Norton, was far too big for her to manage on her own.\u00a0 When the children and grand-children were growing up, they needed the space but she knew the time had come to talk to her family about downsizing.\u00a0 She put her house on the market with a local agent \u2013 and to her astonishment, found a buyer within 24 hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cI put the house on the market thinking it would be ages before I sold the house and when it sold so quickly, it came as such a surprise!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe estate agents were sending me details for houses and bungalows with gardens but I\u2019ve been gardening for 60 years now and when I thought about whether I wanted another garden, the answer was a resounding no.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have friends who live at Beechcroft\u2019s Penhurst Gardens who recommended the development and urged me to take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penhurst Gardens is an award-winning development for over 55s comprising two and three-bedroom houses and apartments, on the site of the former Penhurst School in Chipping Norton.<\/p>\n
The development is set in landscaped gardens and owners are able to take advantage of a menu of services offered by a neighbouring care home from daily hot meals to hairdressing \u2013 and are able to join the regular social events.<\/p>\n
When I see the gardener working outside, I think \u2018thank goodness I haven\u2019t got to do that!\u2019 I know a lot of people here \u2013 and it has been a good move for me.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Forming part of Penhurst Gardens is Buchanan House, offering one, two and three-bedroom houses and apartments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I visited Penhurst Gardens, one of the newly built apartments was for sale but I really wanted my own front door and the very helpful sales consultant showed me the converted apartments in Buchanan House.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was important to get my family involved in the decision making and my children and grandchildren came to view the apartment \u2013 everyone liked it immensely and the younger ones started planning when they could come and stay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t say that moving was easy.\u00a0I had so many memories tied up with my former home and there are certain things I just couldn\u2019t get rid of \u2013 I insisted on bringing my late husband\u2019s desk and chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t throw anything away \u2013 I needed to sort through everything first.\u00a0 The day before the removals company packed up the boxes, I thought \u2018I just can\u2019t do this\u2019 \u2013 but when they finally packed up, it was fine and I knew that I couldn\u2019t go back on my decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family has helped me such a lot.\u00a0My friends who live at Penhurst Gardens have also been very helpful and have lent a hand with practical things such as hanging pictures. We have a very good community here \u2013 there are coffee mornings where you can meet people.\u00a0 Everybody speaks to you when you\u2019re going out \u2013 and if you want to have a longer chat, you can.\u00a0I am able to walk into town.\u00a0Everyone is ready to help and I\u2019m keen to give help in return when I can. \u201c\u201cI am settling in nicely now.\u00a0 People have said that even my voice is different and that I am looking well.\u00a0Everybody who has been through the same process tells me that I will be all right and that I\u2019ve made the right move. Once I get everything sorted and out of boxes, it will be lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I see the gardener working outside, I think \u2018thank goodness I haven\u2019t got to do that!\u2019 I know a lot of people here \u2013 and it has been a good move for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
A two-bedroom, second floor apartment is for sale at Penhurst Gardens for \u00a3325,000 www.beechcroft.co.uk<\/a> \/01608-641147<\/p>\n
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