Eight years of research prompts downsizing couple to plump for Wolverton Park
When retired Financial Services manager, Iain Sinclair, and his former teacher wife, Olwen, decided the time had come to downsize their home, it was not a decision they were going to take lightly. Having lived very happily for thirty-six years in Little Brickhill they spent eight years looking at every plan and plot in the city before making their move to Wolverton Park.
"We had a beautiful period property set round a lovely courtyard and it was idyllic," says Mrs. Sinclair, "and it was always going to take something very special for us to move."
Now the Sinclairs are ensconced in a three bedroom apartment on the new development and they are revelling in their new abode.
"There's a beautiful, very large balcony overlooking the canal which is in the sun all day and we're really very pleased indeed," says Mrs. Sinclair. "The landscaping is excellent and the site management people have been very good. Coming here after such a very long time in our previous home where we were very happy indeed was a very big decision, but we can honestly say we haven't been disappointed. The transport links are excellent; there's very easy access to trains and buses and while we have a car people could easily live here without one."
The Sinclairs bought off-plan and landed their first choice apartment spending fifteen weeks in the Royal Train Shed while it was made ready.
"The Royal Train Shed is a stunning building with absolutely outstanding architecture," Mrs. Sinclair says, "and if it was in London I have no doubt it would sell for a fortune."
The Sinclairs appreciate the way Wolverton Park has been landscaped and believe they may have made their move across the city at just the right time.
"In the past, Wolverton was a bit left behind by other parts of Milton Keynes and I think some of our friends were rather surprised when we decided to leave Little Brickhill to come here," Mrs. Sinclair says. "But the area has a surprising amount to offer. It's very lively, characterful place and a historic railway town. There are lots of clubs and a strong sense of community. We think it's really up and coming so hopefully we've bought our new home here at just the right time. It may not have quite the cache' of some other areas of Milton Keynes but we think that is a situation which is really changing."
Even though the Sinclairs are retired they had no desire to end up surrounded solely by people of a similar age to themselves.
"There's a good mix here with plenty of young people and that's something we're both very pleased about. We may be retired but that doesn't mean we want only to live around other older people," says Mrs. Sinclair. "Would I recommend it to other people who were looking to downsize like us? Most certainly I would. I should tell them to come to have a look for themselves as they might be in for a very pleasant surprise."
Published: 14 January 2010
