Suzan makes a fresh start in her new home

Suzan Gold cried tears of joy after getting the keys to her spacious new five-bedroom detached house at Jones Homes’ Folders Grove development in Burgess Hill.

The 68-year-old retired interior designer and her husband Allan, 75, had lived in the same four-bedroom house in Hove for the past 27 years.

But after Suzan beat breast cancer, having been diagnosed with the illness in 2020, the couple decided it was time to make a fresh start in a brand-new home where they could create more new memories together.

So, they left their old 1960s property in Hove behind and moved 10 miles north to Folders Grove.

The pair first heard about the development after Allan, who has a part-time job delivering parts for Mercedes, noticed a Jones Homes sales office while he was driving through Burgess Hill on his way home from work.

He called in to pick up a brochure and when he and Suzan looked through it later that day, they quickly realised that Folders Grove was the place for them. Three days after visiting the show home at the development, they had reserved their new home and put their old property on the market.

The couple, along with their three dogs; a Yorkshire Terrier, a Jack Russell, and a Cavapoochon, are now all enjoying life in their new home.

Recalling the day they moved in, Suzan said: “When I first got the keys to my new home I cried tears of joy and had to drink a glass of champagne to calm myself.”

Suzan and Allan were both very impressed by the level of service and support that they received to ensure their house-buying journey went as smoothly as possible.

Suzan said: “Jane, who was our sales advisor, was so friendly and supportive to us, constantly calling up on us and making sure we were settling in.

“The site team were also a big help. When we first moved in, they were at our door seeing if there was anything they could do for us and helped us in getting rid of all our boxes.”

Describing what she liked most about the house, she said: “The outlook from inside is beautiful. It was designed with light woodwork, making it feel so open. Compared to this, my old home felt so dreary and dark.

“The views from the house are stunning. There are fields, a vineyard and we can also see lakes in the far distance.”

Since retiring, Suzan has pursued her passion for art and creates professional drawings of dogs and people.

“In my old home, I used to create my art in the kitchen. Now I am turning one of my rooms in my new house into an art studio. The rooms are very bright so are ideal for me to set up my studio in.”

Suzan and Allan are also enjoying their new surroundings on the edge of the beautiful South Downs.

She said: “The surrounding area is full of stunning views. We take our dogs to explore parks to see all these views. Ditchling Common is one of our favourite places to go and it is only a short drive from the house.”

As the couple live so close to Burgess Hill town centre, Suzan and Allan have quickly become regulars at their local restaurant Buon Appetito, even becoming friends with the owner.

Although she hasn’t been given the all-clear from cancer, Suzan says she feels more healthy than she has in a long time.

“Moving house has definitely had an impact on this. Everything feels fresh and new, and this has played a part in improving my health.”

Less than a handful of four-bedroom detached houses remain at Folders Grove, with prices starting from £990,000. Stamp Duty of more than £40,000 will be paid on selected plots.