From Levin to really livin’ – a semi-rural slice of heaven
Nestled away in semi-rural Whanganui East, Trevor and Jacky Hudson are enjoying their newly discovered tranquillity. The couple moved into their Benefield St property just three months ago, after a lifetime living around Levin and Horowhenua.
They decided it was time for a change in lifestyle and to start focusing on both their physical and mental health.
In a tough housing market, they went to every open home in Whanganui they could find.
“We were coming over every weekend for three months. It was crazy trying to find something,” Jacky says.
Conflicting styles on what the couple wanted made the search tough initially.
“I wanted an old place out by the beach and Trevor wanted new by the river.”
It was by pure chance they rolled into the opportunity to buy the 1920s villa.
The owners at the time were looking to sell and some mutual friends linked the two together.
After seeing the photo of the house, Jacky was sold.
The former railway house was built in 1925 and was brought over from Dannevirke in the 1980s.
The original owners built a second story to the house in the early 2000s.
“We just fell in love with it,” Jacky says.
Says Trevor: “It’s not what I’ve always wanted, but I’ve grown to love it.”
The couple plan on keeping the essence of the home, renovating the laundry and dining room before doing a few small changes on the exterior of the home.
The deck that wraps around half of the house was added soon after it was moved over from Dannevirke.
It is one of Jacky’s favourite features of the home.
“There are not many places you can stand on the deck and watch the steam trains go by,” she said.
In the back of the house, is a large open courtyard that leads up to a vege garden, shed and a small backyard.
Upstairs, Jacky has her crafts room with big windows spanning across the whole level, giving you 180 degree views looking across the landscape.
“It’s lovely just to sit up their and look at the stars.”
The Hudsons can see themselves here for a long time, loving their new-found home and what the city of
"I wanted an old place out by the beach and Trevor wanted new by the river."
Whanganui offers.
“We would never move to a city, but we like that it’s a quiet city,” Trevor said.
A creative at heart, Jacky said Whanganui was a great place to be and experience a stronger arts scene. “I love the lifestyle.
“There is something always on. We go for walks most days.
“We love the size of our grounds. We have great neighbours and we love the peacefulness.”