Enjoying a quieter pace of life: Paul and Henrietta's story
Buyers: Paul, 62 and Henrietta, 67
Occupation: Retired
Date of purchase: December 2025
Development: Harriers Croft, Sutterton
Purchase price: £235,000
Mortgage cost: No mortgage
House type: 3 bedroom, detached Liffey
After three homes shared and all the children flying the nest, Paul and Henrietta have found a place that truly fits their lifestyle today. Both retired and enjoying a quieter pace of life, the couple were living in a mortgage-free home in Holbeach before making the decision to move. While their previous house held plenty of character, it also came with ongoing challenges.
“Our previous home in Holbeach was a beautiful house that was over 100 years old. But it needed a lot of work and constant maintenance. It was also very hard to heat. In short, it was a bit of a money pit, albeit one that we enjoyed living in.”
Originally planning to move abroad, their circumstances changed suddenly, leading them to look for a home that was more practical, manageable, and closer to family in Holbeach and Spalding. This search brought them to Harriers Croft in Sutterton. “We live on the Harriers Croft development, Sutterton. We chose it because when you drive onto the development, there is a feeling of "space" in that there are some open green spaces as soon as you drive in, which feels welcoming.”
For Paul and Henrietta, the location offered something increasingly hard to find, a peaceful village with character and simplicity. “Sutterton is a small, quiet village with only one shop and one pub. It may seem strange to some people, but we decided that we would rather live in a place with no shops than live in a town where there are empty shops or just takeaways and charity shops. It felt depressing to live in a place with a dying high street - sadly, like so many towns these days.”
Having explored other developers before making their decision, the couple found that Gleeson ticked every box, from location and affordability to the type of home available. “It was everything… Harriers Croft ticked all the boxes - not least because the house we chose was already built and ready to be lived in.”
They chose the Liffey, a three-bedroom detached home, embracing the opportunity to downsize from their previous property and focus on what they really needed. “We bought a Liffey. The house is smaller than our last house in Holbeach, but it has an integral garage, which we did not have before.”
With their children grown up and living independently, Paul and Henrietta recognised that their previous home offered more space than they actually used. “We used to have three large double bedrooms, but the truth was that in reality, we didn't need so much space. Our children are grown up and have their own lives.”
Instead, their new home offers flexibility, with room for visiting family, hobbies, and everyday comfort. “The house is smaller and therefore we wanted at least one good sized double bedroom for ourselves and then anything else was a bonus.”
Their buying journey, which completed in December 2025, was a positive experience overall. “Gleeson was great. We felt that they were on our side and that they wanted to get us into the house as smoothly as possible.”
Although external factors, such as being in a property chain added some complexity, the support from the team helped keep things moving forward. Now settling into their new home, the couple are already noticing the benefits of a modern, energy-efficient property. “It's early days, but indications are that the bills for heating the house are likely to be considerably less than they were to heat our last house!”
Their home features an air source heat pump, which they have quickly learned how to use effectively. “People need to read the information about the product carefully to understand why it works like it does, the heating system combined with the insulation in the house means that the base temperature of the house is much higher than in older houses.”
While they have only been in their home a short time, and spent some of that travelling, they already feel a strong sense of belonging in their new surroundings. “We don't really know anyone yet as we have not been there long, but we agree that we both feel very settled.”
The wider village offers everything they need, alongside the slower pace of life they were looking for. “The development is in a picturesque village. There is a shop, a pub, a doctor and a vet and a fish and chip shop - there is enough there such that you don't have to leave the village if you don't want to.”
Looking ahead, they’re excited to fully enjoy their new lifestyle, especially the simple pleasures. “We are looking forward to going to the pub on a summer's afternoon and sitting outside with the dog.”
Their positive experience has already inspired their family. After seeing their new home, their daughter has decided to follow in their footsteps. “Our daughter saw our house and is currently purchasing one (albeit larger) on Saddler Fields, in Gosberton!”
Reflecting on their journey, Paul is clear that this move was about getting everything right this time. “In the past we have been guilty of settling for houses that did not have everything we wanted, but this time we were much stricter with ourselves.”
And having found a home that meets their needs in every way, they’re confident they’ve made the right choice for the future. “We would consider buying another Gleeson home, but in fairness, we do consider this our forever home now.”
Feeling inspired? With a range of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes available throughout the Midlands and North of England, your journey to finding your dream home with Gleeson begins today. Explore our developments and get started on your search!
