Embracing a New Chapter: Our Journey to Park Home Living
Mr and Mrs Whitty are a lovely couple who embarked on a life-changing journey when they decided to transition to park home living from bricks and mortar. In this blog, we interviewed Mrs Whitty (unfortunately, Mr Whitty was working) to find out the reasons behind their decision, their experience with the process, and their newfound sense of community.
Life Before Park Home Living
Before moving to park home living, we lived in a two-bedroom terrace house in Calne. We were content with our home, believing it to be sufficient for our needs. However, life had other plans for us, and I've faced several health issues, with arthritis being one of them. We knew we were faced with challenges in our current home. So, we started looking and exploring alternative housing options.
What made your Decision to Explore Park Home Living?
Initially, we contemplated the idea of moving to a bungalow, which was very expensive. Then I stumbled upon park homes while browsing property listings on Rightmove. Stuart initially dismissed the idea, remarking, "I'm not living in a caravan." Nevertheless, his curiosity led us to contact Lillybrook, enquiring about available park homes. We met Luke at Lillybrook, who showed us around a showhome, and as soon as Mr. Whitty walked through one of the homes, he immediately said, "I want one." We now refer to our park home as a "Park Bungalow."
How have you Embraced the Park Home Lifestyle?
Park home living definitely has a sense of safety and a community. In our previous neighbourhood, most residents were of working age, limiting our interactions with neighbours. At Lillybrook there is a community that feels secure, and we have already had the opportunity to make friends with neighbours. The walks are lovely too.
One of the surprising benefits of park home living has been the space we have. Although we initially thought we would miss having a loft, we love the high ceilings and the advantages of living on a single floor. Another bonus is the painted smooth plastered walls and the underfloor heating.
How was the Experience of Moving to a Park Home?
The move has been nothing short of amazing. We were initially planning to go with another manufacturer, but due to delays in delivery, Lillybrook switched to Harbur, with SIPs construction (Structural Insulated Panels). We were so impressed by the standard features, such as the hot water tap, stone worktops, and smooth plaster walls, and were thrilled with the finishings. We visited Harbur, and Emma, the interior designer, offered valuable recommendations that enhanced our home. We now enjoy more square footage than in our previous house and the convenience of living on one floor. We're also know that if we ever reach a point where I can't manage steps to our home, it will be fine to change to a ramp.
What is the Community Life Like?
There's a real sense of community here. Lillybrook has a residents' committee that organises events. So far, we have been to both the horse race event and hog roast, where they had a raffle.
Overall the journey to Park Home Living has been fantastic. Our decision to explore this lifestyle has brought us new happiness, a sense of community, and a home that meets our current and future needs. We're looking forward to a future making new friendships and the joys of park home living.