Ivy and Mike (39 and 42 respectively) made the pivotal decision last year to uproot their lives and move to the UK with their son Daniel (11). Ivy and Mike are two of many Hongkongers making the move, particularly after the UK Government announced the British National Overseas (BNO) visas last year, available to Hong Kong citizens in response to the national security laws imposed by the Chinese Government.
The family officially moved over in December 2020 where they have since been renting in Margate. They managed to visit the UK beforehand while scouting out potential schools for their son to attend but were largely unfamiliar with the country.
Set on a school in Canterbury, Ivy and Mike concentrated their property search in the surrounding areas, subsequently opting for a three-bedroom house at Oakdene at The Hoplands, our community in Hersden, just five miles away from the historic cathedral city.
The pair relied on social media and word of mouth to inform their decision on where to move and the type of home to buy.
Ivy commented: “Starting our search for a place to live was quite daunting having never visited the UK until starting our property search and with no understanding of the housing market. Luckily, there is a large community of Hongkongers moving to the UK, so word of mouth and social media has become one of the best resources for finding a home. It has become hugely popular to share your personal experience of moving to help inform others who are considering it and to answer questions. It has basically become the hottest topic on Facebook.
“Through our own social media network we had heard positive things about Redrow, so after we had confirmation of our son’s new school in Canterbury, we started researching nearby developments. Hersden is an ideal location as we knew we wanted to be near a city with lots of amenities, near green space and in a quiet residential location.”
Surrounded by the lush Kent countryside, and on the outskirts of Canterbury with its rich history, Oakdene at The Hoplands is the perfect location for families, with several ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ Ofsted rated schools nearby. The development is set within 39 acres of open space, including a new village green, and homeowners are walking distance from Stodmarsh Nature Reserve and the Stour Valley Walk.
Buyers can enjoy close proximity to Canterbury, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, which lies just five miles away. One of the most visited places in the country, Canterbury is home to a wealth of culture, as well as dining and entertainment options.
Ivy and Mike chose a three-bedroom Amberley from our award-winning Heritage Collection, inspired by the Arts & Crafts architectural movement. Exteriors boast traditional features, including pretty brick detailing, French windows and a porch, while interiors are bright and modern, designed to complement busy family life. An open plan kitchen diner represents the hub of the home, with sliding patio doors onto the garden, a separate laundry room, spacious living room and generously sized double bedrooms.
Building a community
Ivy and Mike are not alone in their move to Kent. They know four families alone who have moved to the region from Hong Kong in the last twelve months. In fact, Ivy and Mike have since recommended Oakdene at The Hoplands to two sets of friends, who have each gone on to purchase a home there, and are expected to move in later this year. One set of friends purchased a three-bedroom semi-detached Ludlow, while the others purchased a three-bedroom Oxford Lifestyle.
Ivy commented: “We have been so happy with our experience moving to the UK and securing our home with Redrow that we recommended the development to some of our friends who had been deliberating the decision for a while. The ability to move so far away yet still be close to friends has been one of the biggest benefits of moving to a new build community for us. Everyone we have met so far in the UK has been so welcoming, but it’s reassuring to know we will have a small community of friends here who share a similar experience to us, and it’s nice not to leave our old life behind entirely.”
Since moving to the UK, Ivy has started a new job as an Account Director at a firm based in London. Mike on the other hand gave up his job in Hong Kong as a banker for a mortgage firm and is looking to find something similar in the UK.
Mike explained: “I am keen to find a job in the mortgage industry here in the UK but the Hong Kong property market is entirely different, so I am considering training before applying for jobs. Luckily, Canterbury is close to other towns and cities, and is commutable to London, so there are lots of options to look into.”
It has been widely reported that Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places to purchase a home, with a report from think-tanks Urban Reform Institute and Frontier Centre for Public Policy ranking Hong Kong as the world's least affordable housing market for the 11th straight year in 2020. Ivy and Mike were therefore excited to move to the UK for the ability to buy a more spacious home.
Mike explained: “Most Hongkongers rent due to the expensive nature of property, and there are very few houses available. We were lucky enough to have bought a home, but it was two-bedroom apartment in a high-rise development. It was refreshing to move to the UK and find a detached house with a private garden. It is a completely different way of living, but we can’t wait to move in and make the most of the space. We are considering working with a garden designer as we are so new to maintaining one!”
Prices for homes at Oakdene at The Hoplands begin at £404,995. Please visit www.redrow.co.uk/developments/oakdene-at-the-hoplands to find out more about and to get in touch with the sales team.
