Shared Ownership enables NHS employee to buy her first home
09 January 2026
For Chloe, taking her first step onto the property ladder felt like a long-held dream finally coming within reach. As an NHS supervisor, she spends her days caring for others - but finding a place of her own, close to the people she loves and the work she’s passionate about, hadn’t always felt possible.
That changed when Chloe discovered Shared Ownership at Greenwood Gardens. With the support of Places for People, she’s now proud to call a one-bedroom apartment home – perfectly placed near family and friends, and just a short journey from work.
In her own words, Chloe shares how Greenwood Gardens gave her more than a new home – it gave her a sense of security, independence and a future she can build with confidence
Jump to:
- A perfectly positioned home
- Beautiful “best of both” location
- Thoughtfully designed and energy efficient
- Life begins at home
A Perfectly Positioned Home
When NHS supervisor Chloe started thinking about buying her first home, staying close to the People and places that matter most was important to her. After six years working at her local hospital in Herne Bay, she felt ready for a place of her own – but like many first-time buyers, owning a home nearby didn’t feel achievable.
Shared Ownership helped change that. With the support of Places for People, Chloe was able to buy a stylish one-bedroom ground-floor apartment at Greenwood Gardens, complete with her own terrace and grassed area – turning a long-term dream into a place she can now call home."
Working at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, just a five-minute drive from Greenwood Gardens, Chloe was certain she wanted to stay rooted in the local area.
“Being so close with my friends and family, I knew I didn’t want to move away. I went to school nearby and I have friends all around me, so this Community really feels like home.” comments Chloe. “I knew I didn’t want to rent, but I never imagined buying would be affordable. When the show home became available, I went to view it and was pleasantly surprised by how lovely it was, and how realistic the prices were. For me, I wasn’t looking for an older property. I wanted a blank canvas, somewhere I could start fresh and make truly my own.”
Chloe used Shared Ownership to buy her one-bedroom apartment and moved into her new home in July 2025.
The sales team were incredibly supportive from the very start. They took the time to guide me through each step, talked me through my finances and helped me understand what was affordable for me. That reassurance made the whole process feel far less daunting.
Beautiful “Best of both” location
Greenwood Gardens is a beautifully designed new development, ideally located in Lower Herne, just moments from the stunning Kent coastline and surrounded by peaceful countryside. The collection includes a range of one to four-bedroom homes, each thoughtfully created to offer bright, generous living spaces that combine comfort with practicality. Perfectly positioned between natural woodland and the historic seaside town of Herne Bay, the development provides residents with the best of both coastal and countryside living. Designed as a seamless extension of the local community, Greenwood Gardens has quickly become a vibrant and welcoming place to call home.
With Chloe now fully settled into Greenwood Gardens life, she's excited to welcome her new furry friend, Chester the Cockapoo, into her new home.
“For now, Chester is staying with my mum," says Chloe, “while I apply for a pet licence, but I can’t wait to have him here with me. I love taking him on long walks, and there’s so much green open space nearby, from parks and fields to the basketball court just across the road. One of the things I love most about living here is how close I am to the beach. It’s only a five-minute walk away, and because I grew up in a seaside town, it makes living at Greenwood Gardens even more comforting and familiar.”
With its colourful pier and lively seafront attractions, Herne Bay offers plenty to see and do. The town is home to a wide choice of independent boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops, along with a beautiful Edwardian concert hall that regularly hosts live bands and comedy shows. If travelling further afield, the area is well connected; local roads provide easy access to Ramsgate, Canterbury and Ashford, while the M2 is just over 10 miles away for journeys to London or Dover. Herne Bay railway station also provides direct routes into London, making commutes and city trips simple and convenient.
Thoughtfully Designed and Energy Efficient
What’s more, the homes at Greenwood Gardens are thoughtfully designed and built to high environmental standards. Each energy-efficient features modern heating systems, energy-saving technology, and eco-friendly appliances, helping to reduce utility bills while minimising environmental impact. Every home includes energy efficient lighting, water-saving devices, double-glazed windows and good ventilation, creating comfortable, sustainable living spaces that are as practical as they are stylish.
Chloe has quickly settled into her new home and is already enjoying the practical benefits it offers.
“I love having my own car parking space, I use it for my mobile spray tan business, which I operate locally, and I’m really pleased to have plenty of storage space for all my supplies and equipment. There’s also visitor parking for when friends and family come to see me. The sales team were really helpful too, guiding me through the process, reviewing my finances, and helping me understand what I could afford with my mortgage.”
Life begins at home
For Chloe, moving into Greenwood Gardens has been more than just buying a home, it has given her independence, convenience, and the perfect space to live, work, and grow within a Community she already loves.
If you’re looking for your perfect first home like Chloe, take a look at our exciting new developments with homes to suit everyone’s budget and lifestyle.