These 13 homes, newly arisen in a village suburb of Cambridge, are, promises the developer, ‘the perfect habitat in which to express your personality and live the life you want’. If your personality craves life in a pair there are semis, if you prefer to keep people at arm’s length there’s link-detached and those who like to live in a crowd can opt for the terraced. The eco-conscious can choose an option with heat recovery systems and solar panels and everyone gets underfloor heating and Virgin Media wiring. It’s a three-mile commute into town but one of the park & rides is just up the road beside a large Tesco and it’s a sneeze away from the M11. Asking price: £499,995 for a three-bedroom house.
Bidwells, 01223 841 842 Photograph: Bidwells
This block of 14 apartments built over an underground carpark, has managed to get itself built in the conservation area of Corbridge, known as the Bond Street of the North, and its stone cladding is testament to its efforts to appease its historic neighbours. Inside, though, it’s all chicly modern. This ground-floor portion, floored in oak, has a large open-plan living area, a hall large enough to accommodate a study area and en suites to both bedrooms. Sliding doors from the master suite and reception open on to a private terrace and beyond that are landscaped communal grounds. Guide price: £350,000.
Finest Properties, 01434 316011 Photograph: Finest Properties
It would take a trained eye to detect, from a distance, that these houses haven’t been mellowing for several centuries at the foot of the South Downs. Newly built on private land owned by Seaford College, the windows are designed to mirror those of the college’s historic music hall. Scalloped tile hangings, cream and red brickwork and wooden gates – the aim has been to recreate the feel of a traditional Sussex village in this protected landscape. Prices for the terraced cottages start at £499,950.
Shanly Homes, 01798 867089 Photograph: Shanly Homes
Although you have to shift to the outer reaches of the capital to find any living space under £300,000 you are, here, next door to the Jubilee line which will drop you in Bond Street in 30 minutes while the villagey ambience of Stanmore lies beyond your boundaries. The three buildings of this development sit in landscaped gardens that have won several awards with their lake and courtyards. Inhabitants of the 500 homes have use of a residents’ gym, a car-share club and 24-hour concierge. Bosch appliances and Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware glamorise the kitchens and bathrooms. Prices start at £262,500.
Berkeleys, 020 8952 2853 Photograph: Berkeleys
Each of the three-bedroomed flats in this new block has its own pool and views of sea and mountains across an olive grove from its balcony or terrace. The same vistas seep into the open-plan living room and bedrooms through full-width windows. The cobbled fishing town of Kalkan has become an upmarket resort and gastronomic capital and spectacular beaches just outside town are a 10-minute drive from this complex. Asking price: £130,000.
Spot Blue, 020 8339 6036 Photograph: Spot Blue
