Olga Titel, a 33-year-old photographer, lives in the Kidbrooke area with her husband and two young children. She recently rented at Berkeley’s Kidbrooke Village in the Royal Borough of Greenwich for 18 months and found that the neighbourhood perfectly complemented her family’s lifestyle and boosted her small business. She and her family are currently living in another rental nearby, but they are super keen to get back to Kidbrooke Village as soon as possible. Olga is now excited to take the next step on her home journey and would like to purchase an apartment in Kidbrooke Village, ensuring she and her family can live permanently in the thriving community.
It takes a village: Family life at Kidbrooke Village
Olga and her family first moved to Kidbrooke Village 18 months ago, renting a two-bedroom ground floor apartment in Grayston House with a garden. The vast green spaces, convenient amenities and connectivity to the rest of London instantly attracted her.
With two young children, “finding a family-friendly home was crucial” for Olga. “Kidbrooke Village is ideal for my family – it has everything. I really value having a garden as one baby can be asleep whilst the other is playing outside. Even little details like the width of the doors and size of the lifts in my building make it easy for me to move around with the double buggy.” When she was expecting her youngest, Olga expressed how “the concierge was so helpful when I was struggling with day-to-day tasks whilst pregnant.”
Kidbrooke Village’s Zone 3 location offers its community an oasis of calm within the city while still being close to the hustle and bustle of central London. The development is set amongst 86 acres of beautiful parkland and open space. Wanting a home with space and tranquillity, Olga appreciates “a quieter place where my daughter can play. There’s so much space here with big parks all within a five-minute walk”, perfect for her busy mum-life.
Olga and her family have all the amenities they need on their doorstep at the Village Centre including a Sainsbury’s Local, doctors, dentists, a pharmacy, the Kidbrooke Food Market store and Kidbrooke Village Market selling fresh produce in Pegler Square. With buzzing Blackheath just a 14-minute walk away too, the neighbourhood provides ample convenience for everyday living. “With all the shops I need on my doorstep, I can grab a bite to eat when the children fall asleep as we go around the parks. I also really enjoy the market – I often go there for fresh vegetables.”
The desirable neighbourhood is very well-connected. Kidbrooke Station, located in The Village Centre, offers easy access to the best of London’s vibrant lifestyle and cultural hotspots, as well as the city’s business districts. London Bridge, Victoria, and Waterloo East are all less than 30 minutes away, and Canary Wharf, where Olga’s husband works, is just 24 minutes by train. This close proximity to Canary Wharf makes for “such an easy daily commute from Kidbrooke Village.”
A thriving community
The strong sense of community in the neighbourhood has been a significant factor in Olga’s decision to buy at Kidbrooke Village. Through a local WhatsApp group for mums – which quickly became “such a lifeline” – and her own photography business, Olga has developed lasting connections.
The Kidbrooke Village community has been instrumental in helping Olga network and has led to her securing numerous photography assignments. “The Kidbrooke Village community has completely transformed my photography business. Recommendations from members of the community have not only led to jobs such as family weddings, birthdays and baby photos, but also to so many of the incredible community events that happen here.”
Berkeley is committed to ensuring that Kidbrooke Village residents benefit from the area’s regeneration. A dedicated Berkeley team works with the community to connect people and help them to make the most of the amenities and opportunities on their doorstep. Residents and locals have now set up a multitude of events including Yoga and Pilates classes, quiz nights, dance and fitness classes for adults and children alike, and Berkeley hosts exciting events like the recent Christmas market and winter festival.
Although Olga and her family are currently renting elsewhere, they are still very much connected to the thriving community at Kidbrooke Village, spending a lot of time there. They particularly value the events, “Our eldest goes to nursery and both my children will start baby football lessons here soon too. With so many other children in the neighbourhood, it’s hard to ever feel like you’re alone. I know so many people now and I feel so lucky.”
Personalising your perfect space
Olga and her family are looking to buy a ground floor apartment “large enough to have a home studio.” In order to purchase a new home at Kidbrooke Village, Olga and her husband will be selling another property.
The flexibility offered by Berkeley is encouraging to them, including the customisation options that are available for interiors, colour palettes and materials. “The fact that we can customise details is so ideal for us. My husband is allergic to carpet and whenever we have rented privately in the past, he really struggles. Berkeley said they can take any carpet out for us if we want to which is so helpful and will make the world of difference.”
Olga and her family are excited to buy in a place that “really does feel like home.”
One and two-bedroom homes at Kidbrooke Village are available to buy now from £395,000.
For more information on the homes available, please visit www.berkeleygroup.co.uk
