3 minutes
For Alyce and Kieran Brogan, the impending arrival of their second child was the catalyst for a life-changing decision. The couple, both in their 30s, had outgrown their two-bedroom terraced house in Streatham, South London, and faced a dilemma familiar to many young families: remain in the capital and compromise on space, or move further afield and embrace a different way of life.
Just over a year later, having moved into a three-bedroom house at Sigma Homes' Spring Bank development in Haywards Heath, the family have no regrets. What began as a search for more space has provided a bigger home, lower energy bills, a stronger sense of community and the lifestyle they had hoped to find beyond London.
“We needed more space and the prices in London are insane,” says Alyce. “We knew we wanted somewhere that still offered a manageable commute into London for me, and easy access to Gatwick for Kieran’s job. Haywards Heath ticked all the boxes, and we could get much more for our money.”
After reserving their new home in early 2025, Alyce and Kieran completed their move from Streatham to Haywards Heath that summer, settling into life at Spring Bank with their two young children and family cat, Minnie.
Before settling on Spring Bank, they considered several other locations, including Redhill, Merstham, Guildford and Horsham. However, after spending time exploring Haywards Heath and viewing the development, they quickly fell in love with both the area and the house.
“We viewed a new-build home quite early on in our search and it completely changed our expectations,” Alyce explains. “Once you've seen a brand-new home that's ready to move into, it's difficult to look at older properties in the same way.”
The family were particularly drawn to Spring Bank's lower-density layout and sense of space.
“We looked at some larger developments where the houses felt much closer together,” she says. “If we were going to uproot our lives and move out of London, we wanted something that felt different. Spring Bank felt more spacious, less crowded and much more family-friendly.”
The move also made financial sense. “You get so much more for your money here than you do in London,” she says. “Our mortgage is effectively only a few hundred pounds more each month than we were paying before, but we have considerably more space. Even with the stamp duty costs, it’s been more than worthwhile, as we have a much better quality of life.”
Moving to Spring Bank has also introduced the family to a lifestyle that would have been difficult to achieve in the capital. Haywards Heath offers a blend of practical convenience and outdoor living, with woodland walks, parks, playgrounds and family-friendly venues all within easy reach.
“We love the outdoor space around here,” says Alyce. “There are so many places to walk and explore, which is something we just didn't have in London. Our daughter is convinced fairies are living in the woods near us, so we spend a lot of time searching for them on weekends.”
“We often walk to the local pub for lunch because it's so family-friendly and has a great garden for the children. There's also a playground near us that we use all the time, and Haywards Heath town centre is close enough that we can walk to Sainsbury’s if we need to. It’s a really nice balance of having everything you need nearby, while still feeling surrounded by countryside.”
Alyce continues, “It’s a really family-oriented place. When we moved here, our youngest was only three weeks old, so I was nervous about meeting people and building a new network, but there are lots of mum-and-baby groups and everyone has been incredibly friendly. It’s been a really positive change from London.”
A year in, the family have also noticed the benefits of living in a modern, energy-efficient home. “Our energy bills are lower than they were in London,” Alyce explains. “The house is much more efficient and better insulated, which makes a real difference.”
Equally important was choosing a housebuilder they could trust. “We did a lot of research before buying,” she says. “We'd heard horror stories about some developers and poor aftercare, so we wanted to make sure we chose carefully. Everything we found about Sigma Homes was positive.”
Alyce says Sigma’s communication throughout the buying process was responsive and professional, while any minor snagging issues after moving in were dealt with quickly and efficiently.
“There were a few small things, mainly cosmetic items, but nothing major,” she says. “Sigma were always helpful and supportive. Buying a home is a huge decision and can feel quite daunting, but we felt looked after throughout the process.”
Now firmly settled into life at Spring Bank, the family see themselves staying for many years to come. “We absolutely love living here,” says Alyce. “Moving out of London was a big decision, but it has given us more space, a stronger sense of community and a much better lifestyle for our family. We haven't looked back.”
For more information, current availability and pricing at Spring Bank, click here.
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