A Love of the Adelaide Hills Led Them to Newenham
For Lauren and Kris, the dream of living in the Adelaide Hills began long before they purchased their first home.
Originally from England, the couple were instantly drawn to the character and charm of the Hills, finding familiarity in its leafy landscapes, village atmosphere and slower pace of life.
“We love the European feel to the Hills,” Lauren explains. “We would often travel up here from the city and loved it here. We even got married in Hahndorf.”
At the time, the couple were living on the outskirts of Adelaide with their two dogs while planning their future together. Lauren worked as a dog groomer near the city, while Kris worked from home as an Electrical Transmission and Distribution Technician.
As much as they enjoyed city living, they found themselves craving more space, greenery and a quieter lifestyle.
“We wanted something quieter and more green,” says Lauren.
Their search led them to several estates across Mount Barker, but none quite captured what they were looking for.
“We had looked in a few other estates, but none of them had the larger allotments or the style of homes that we preferred.”
In fact, it was during a visit to another display village that someone suggested they take a look at Newenham. That recommendation led them to Newenham.
They purchased their allotment on 25 July 2020 – what Lauren affectionately describes as their “Christmas in July present”.
“Land sizing was a big plus for us, plus the aesthetics of the houses already built matched what we liked in a home.”
The masterplan also played an important role in their decision.
“The land offered at the time and the master plan really stood out to us.”
Building at Newenham would become an even more memorable milestone as it marked both their first home and first build.
Working with Metricon during the challenges of the COVID building period, the experience came with its share of ups and downs.
“We built during COVID times. While it was stressful at times, overall we were happy with our home’s quality and design.”
Inspired by a Hamptons-style aesthetic, their new home would soon become a family home too.
When Lauren and Kris moved into their new home in April 2022, Lauren was pregnant with their first child. Since then, their family has grown to include two children, and the home they built as a couple has grown with them.
Today, what they appreciate most about life at Newenham is exactly what first attracted them to the Adelaide Hills.
“The green open spaces, the land sizes and the neighbours – everyone is lovely.”
Beyond Newenham, the family enjoys exploring the many small towns, walking trails and local businesses that make the Adelaide Hills unique.
“We enjoy being able to go for a drive into the small country villages and go for family walks in lovely areas around the Hills.”
As small business owners themselves, supporting local businesses is also something close to their hearts.
“We always try to support local. Running a small business from home, we enjoy supporting other small Adelaide Hills businesses wherever possible.”
When asked to describe Newenham in just three words, Lauren’s answer perfectly captures the lifestyle they were searching for all those years ago:
“Friendly, green and beautiful.”
For Lauren and Kris, the move to Newenham brought together so much of what had first drawn them to the Adelaide Hills – greenery, space, community and a quieter place to raise their family.
If you’re dreaming of making the Adelaide Hills your home, we’d love to show you what life at Newenham is all about. To learn more about building your future at Newenham, call our Sales Team on 0429 107 497 or visit the Sales & Information Centre at 164 Flaxley Road, Mount Barker. Click here for open hours.