Retiring to the top at Viridium

Derek and Diana Lindon (80,77) were keen to downsize from their five-bedroom family home in Sandhurst. Having lived in the large property for over 21 years and fed up of getting backache from gardening, they set their hearts on buying a brand new apartment. Their search to find the perfect property took three years but finally came to an end the moment they visited the stylish penthouse at Viridium in Camberley.

Retired British Aerospace engineer, Derek says: “We knew the moment that we laid our eyes on the penthouse at Viridium that we had finally found our perfect home. It was modern, bright and spacious, with two balconies allowing us to enjoy outdoor space without the maintenance of a garden. The views from the top are pretty impressive too. Our penthouse has three bedrooms, a bathroom and a shower ensuite which suits us fine and means we have plenty of space for family and friends to visit. We’d seen quite a few different apartments but nowhere had been quite right – we’d even considered a retirement development but we decided against it. We feel very lucky to have found Viridium and don’t have any plans to move again.”

Located on Frimley Road, award-winning Viridium is an exclusive gated development. Set over three buildings with both countryside and town views, Viridium when complete will comprise an outstanding collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, garden apartments and penthouses within landscaped grounds. The development also provides private off-road over and underground parking for its residents.

Derek and Diana used Hodson Developments’ Assisted Move scheme, which allowed them to reserve their dream property with a deposit of £1000, giving them four weeks to sell their family home. Not wanting to risk losing the property for which they had spent the last three years searching and with a lot of interest in the penthouse, they were delighted to be able to secure their ideal home.

Derek says: “We had been looking for a property just like the penthouse for some time and so we knew we had to have it. We were able to pay the holding deposit with the Assisted Move scheme and quickly got our family home onto the market. The move allowed us to free up some cash too but to be honest for us, it was more about a change of lifestyle – and after four months living in our new home, we couldn’t be happier.”

Christie Alaimo, Sales Director for Hodson Developments says: “It was wonderful to help Mr and Mrs Lindon buy their dream home, especially after such a long time looking. As they have discovered, a brand new apartment is the ideal option for downsizers looking to reduce the maintenance of a larger property and enjoy a more manageable lifestyle. The penthouse provides them with all the benefits of a newly built apartment but they also get the added bonus of the far reaching views which they can enjoy from their balconies.”

Enjoying their new home, the couple have also found that their apartment is also much cheaper to run than their previous larger property.

“Other than to check they work, we haven’t needed the radiators on once – not even when we moved in back in early February,” adds Derek. “Our water consumption is virtually at zero now we don’t have a garden to water and I believe that our utility bills will be extremely low and council tax is three bands lower. It wasn’t a reason for moving but it has certainty been a welcome benefit.”