Couple ditches Nottingham after 40 years in favour of a quiet life by a lake

A married couple who spent 40 years living in Nottingham, has decided to swap the hustle and bustle for a quiet life by a lake.

Keith and Alison Smith, previously lived in a large house with an acre of land in Nottingham but after much discussion about their needs, the couple decided it was time to downsize - and in turn leave behind Nottingham.

The pair has acquired a "forever home" and Harron Homes' Shipley Lakeside development in Heanor - a town in the Amber Valley district of Derbyshire. The couple says the new four-bed property is "more manageable for their needs and current lifestyle".

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"A home for our present needs"

Keith, 81, a self-employed electrical engineer, said, “It was a hard decision to make to leave our old home having been there for so long and seeing our children grow up there. However, we needed a home more suited to our present needs.

“The Birkwith is a fantastic home for us. It’s easier to maintain and ideal for all our furniture. The layout means we can move easily from room to room, and small things like there being no steps in doorways is great now that our mobility isn’t what it used to be.

"The kitchen is well laid out and there is a nice dining area with access to the generous garden. The flow of the house suits us down to the ground, it’s absolutely perfect.”

"Enough space for the grandchildren"

Alison, 79, a retired sales associate, added “The house is lovely and has been easy to make our own. It was difficult leaving the family home, but it was the right thing to do for us at this stage in our lives.

"It is a huge downsize as we needed something much smaller to manage without having to think about what to do next, but there is still enough space for our children and grandchildren to visit.”

Keith continued, “All the homes we’ve bought over the last five decades have been new at the point of purchase, and we’ve never wanted anything else. The good thing about new homes is that you always know it's fresh and untouched by anyone else. It’s a great peace of mind knowing everything is up to standard and nothing needs replacing. It’s important to know all the parts are working well when you move into a new home.”

With less housework to keep on top of, the couple have more time for their activities and to enjoy the local area.

Keith said, “We have family close by and it’s wonderful that they can pop in to see us now as they pass through Shipley often. It’s a great location and we like going to the garden centre and going out for coffee.”

Alison agreed, “It’s so convenient and close to the shops. I like going out, socialising and I do a bit of line dancing too. It’s also right on the edge of the countryside making it ideal for our walks; it’s brilliant that we can take advantage of so many green spaces on the doorstep without having to maintain it anymore!

“We would highly recommend Harron Homes. The houses are of a particularly high standard and the sales team have been very helpful, providing excellent advice at every stage. They haven’t stopped being helpful, the after care has been good with frequent check ins to see how we are doing. We couldn’t fault our journey with Harron Homes.”

Natalie Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Director at Harron Homes North Midlands, said: “We have a home for everyone at Harron. We are delighted that Keith and Alison found their perfect forever home with us at Shipley Lakeside, it’s a wonderful location and we are pleased they are joining our growing community.”