Welcome home
Moving to a McCarthy Stone development helped Brian and Margaret Luxford meet new friends and spend more time in the great outdoors
Morning yoga followed by fish and chips, then a movie night with friends. That’s what a typical Sunday involves for Brian and Margaret Luxford, who recently moved to an apartment in McCarthy Stone’s Southborough Gate development in Tunbridge Wells.
The couple, who are in their seventies, were looking to downsize from their family home when they found the south-facing property overlooking Pinewood Gardens. “It ticked all our boxes,” says Brian, a part-time chartered accountant. “We wanted to move somewhere we could keep our independence, and have more opportunities to spend time doing what we love.”
Life well lived
Southborough Gate is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, which is ideal for the nature loving Luxfords. “Getting outdoors is so important, and we often walk around the beautiful common with its stunning lake,” says Margaret.
The couple also spend a lot of time in the on-site landscaped gardens. She explains: “The space is managed for us, so we don’t have to do any backbreaking work, but we can still get as involved as we choose. A lot of our fellow homeowners enjoy growing flowers and like to get stuck in.”
Indeed, whether they’re relaxing outdoors, enjoying a coffee morning or venturing to Tunbridge Wells for a night at the theatre, Brian and Margaret have found that becoming part of the McCarthy Stone community has given them the chance to meet lots of like-minded people. “Living here is great and we’ve had good fun getting to know everyone,” they say. “We’ve certainly made friends for life.”
With Brian still working, Margaret is particularly grateful for the companionship she gets just by living at Southborough Gate: “There used to be days when I wouldn’t see anyone if Brian was at work. Now, he’s lucky if I’m still at home when he gets back from the office each night!”
Your future starts now
The Luxfords couldn’t recommend living in a McCarthy Stone property more: “We’ve got our life back. Moving here is by far the best thing we’ve done for ourselves – we only wish we’d done it sooner!” In the future, the couple are looking forward to spending more time with their children and young grandchildren, who they call every day. They’re also excited to explore the world and travel again, once it’s safe to do so.
If, like Brian and Margaret, you’re ready to begin a new, exciting chapter, you can buy or rent a one- or two-bedroom apartment at the Southborough Gate development – or explore what’s available at the many other McCarthy Stone developments across the country.