Young professional loves the apartment lifestyle in Greenhithe
Christine Akhuetie is loving a life of independence after buying her own one-bedroom apartment just an hour from central London.
A new independence
Christine Akhuetie, a 29-year-old legal project management analyst, has left home in South Norwood after purchasing an apartment at Bellway London’s Crossways Quarter development in Greenhithe.
Christine decided in spring 2023 that the time was right for her to finally leave home and buy her own property, and she's loving her new-found independence.
“I had been saving seriously for a few years and worked out that I had enough money for a deposit, so I started to look for somewhere to buy,” says Christine. “My number one priority was it had to be within an hour commute of central London, as that is where my office is.
“I knew a one-bedroom apartment best suited my budget but I wanted it to have allocated parking, not be on the ground floor and to have a balcony.”
Moved in: 2024
Helped by Bellway London's deposit contribution
Christine started her search online, where she spotted details about Crossways Quarter.
She says: “I called the site and spoke to Anca, the sales advisor, and made an appointment to go over and look at a two-bedroom show apartment. I went along and loved the look and feel of the apartment.
“Anca was really friendly and helpful. She told me that Bellway London would give me a contribution towards my deposit which was great news. I reserved the apartment with my 10% deposit but the additional £12,500 boost gave me more equity in the property and brought my monthly mortgage payments down.”
Christine moved into her new apartment in October 2024.
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“Anca was really friendly and helpful. She told me that Bellway London would give me a contribution towards my deposit which was great news.”
A fantastic location
“I really appreciate the fact that there is a key fob entrance to my apartment block which gives me peace of mind and I am on the second floor which also increases my sense of security,” she says. “Although I don’t use my car to get to work, I have an allocated parking space in a car park which is secure and gated off.
“I use my car to make the five-minute drive to Asda for my weekly shop, to pop over to the nearby Bluewater Shopping Centre and to make the 15-minute journey to the gym. The car also gives me the freedom to catch up with my friends around London and see my mum in South Norwood, which is about a 50-minute drive away.
“Stone Crossing railway station is a five-minute walk from my apartment and from there I can catch a train to Abbey Wood then change to get to Liverpool Street. It’s great because I can get my front door to the office in an hour.”
It is incredibly liberating. I can do exactly what I want, when I want and all this is mine!”
My perfect apartment
Christine, who works from home three days a week, has set up a workstation in her apartment.
“The bedroom is big enough for me to put a desk and a chair in one corner as my working-from-home zone,” she says. “It is good because I don’t have to keep setting up in different places as this is the dedicated workspace and that is that.
“The layout of the apartment really works for me. I love the open-plan configuration as it really gives a feeling of space, and the light that comes in through the big windows complements that. It is lovely to have a generous-sized balcony where I will spend a lot of time where the weather is warmer."
Feeling liberated
Christine says: “My favourite space in the apartment has to be the bathroom. I love the large, mirrored cabinet that came as standard with the apartment, the lavish waterfall shower head over the bath and the stylish tiles. The room is such a luxurious and relaxing space, I can’t wait to buy some candles and indulge by relaxing in hot baths.”
“I love my mum but it was high time I moved out,” she says. “Mum has been over to see the apartment and she loves it and is happy that she knows I am safe here. I am still getting used to having all this place to myself. It is incredibly liberating. I can do exactly what I want, when I want and all this is mine!”
Crossways Quarter
A development of new homes in Greenhithe, situated just a 5-minute drive to Bluewater Shopping Centre and close to the Dartford Crossing for connection to the M25. These 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments will appeal to investors, first-time buyers and professionals working in the capital and surrounding areas.
This development is overseen by award-winning site manager, Matt Speak, who recently received their Pride in the Job award from NHBC.