Anne and Fraser Pottie spent 40 years in their family home in Cammo Grove, Edinburgh but knew the time was right to downsize. They had been searching for the perfect property, but it wasn't until they discovered The Avenue at Barnton by Cruden Homes that they found a home that offered everything they were looking for.
The retired couple, who will soon celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, moved into a two-bedroom apartment at the luxury age-exclusive development in May, just a few months after first viewing the development in January.
Anne and Fraser, a retired quantity surveyor, were keen to remain in the local area, and near their daughter, while finding a home better suited to the next chapter of their lives.
The couple first heard about The Avenue when an advertisement promoting the development dropped through their letterbox. Intrigued, they arranged a viewing and immediately knew they had found somewhere special.
"When we found The Avenue, it just felt right,” explained Anne. “From the moment we arrived, Alison, the sales executive, made us feel completely at ease. Everything was handled so professionally and there was never any pressure. We felt genuinely looked after from the moment we stepped through the door.
"From the wonderful Club Lounge, landscaped grounds and high-spec finishes, it honestly felt like we were walking into a boutique hotel."
The couple sold their family home by March and moved into The Avenue in May, with Anne praising the support they received from Cruden throughout the buying process. Their second-floor apartment has quickly become everything they hoped it would be.
"It was all incredibly smooth," she said. "Alison kept in regular contact, helped us with the paperwork and guided us through every stage. It was reassuring to have one person looking after us throughout.
"The view from our living room was what sold it to us. The large windows let in so much natural light and we overlook the golf course and lots of trees. It's such a bright, peaceful place to live."
The couple have also been impressed by the quality of the specification throughout the apartment while sustainability has been another benefit.
"The finish throughout is excellent," said Anne. "Everything, from the flooring and bathroom suite to the kitchen appliances, has been finished to a very high standard.
"The heating system has been brilliant. The environmentally friendly ground source heat pumps have helped reduce our utility bills, which has been a lovely bonus."
The Avenue's hotel-inspired facilities, regular social events and guest suite for visiting family and friends, have helped the couple settle into their new community. And outside, the beautifully landscaped gardens and shared outdoor spaces have become one of Anne's favourite features.
"The residents' lounge has been fantastic," said Anne. "It's such a welcoming place to meet people. I've been to the wine evenings, Fraser has enjoyed the whisky nights, and we've even had a Wimbledon afternoon tea. There are plentiful opportunities to socialise if you want to.
"The gardens are always immaculate and it's lovely to sit outside and enjoy them. I enjoy gardening myself and have joined the gardening committee, which is a great way to get involved."
The couple have also been impressed by the aftercare provided by the Cruden team.
"Any minor maintenance issues have been dealt with very quickly. Brian, the Customer Service Manager, has been excellent and is a real credit to Cruden."
For Anne and Fraser, one of the biggest attractions was being able to remain in a part of Edinburgh they know and love while enjoying a lifestyle specifically designed for their season of life.
"We knew we wanted to stay locally and it's incredibly rare to find a development like The Avenue in Barnton," said Anne. "The transport links are excellent, so we still feel very connected. We can easily walk to the bus stop and get to the golf club, the doctor's surgery and the shops."
Looking back, the couple say they have no hesitation in recommending The Avenue to others considering downsizing.
"We absolutely love living here," said Anne. "It's a wonderful community and we've felt so welcome from day one. We feel very safe, well looked after and have everything we need on our doorstep. We'd highly recommend The Avenue to couples or people living on their own who are looking to downsize without compromising on quality."
The Avenue Barnton offers a collection of thoughtfully designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments exclusively for the over-55s. Combining contemporary homes with beautifully landscaped gardens and premium shared amenities, the development offers a unique opportunity to enjoy independent living within a welcoming community in one of Edinburgh's most desirable neighbourhoods.
For more information about the homes currently available at The Avenue, Barnton visit theavenuebarnton.co.uk/
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