Alex and Emma were at odds. Alex was adamant that he didn’t want to live in the hills while Emma preferred to get away from the city. When they saw what Newenham offered, it became an easy decision.
After moving several times in his younger years, Alex has lived mostly in and around Mount Barker. So, when they started dating around five years ago, Emma immediately saw the attraction of Hills living.
“I never actually wanted to come back to the Hills. I was adamant about staying down in the city. I wanted to buy established down closer to the CBD,” says Alex.
Alex and Emma met on a night out and it was love at first sight. Emma grew up in Marion, although she and Alex rented together in Burnside and Toorak Gardens. It wasn’t until Alex’s long-time friend Dave (who had just purchased a block of land) suggested they look at what Newenham offered, that the idea of building was even considered.
“We were umming and ahhing about what we wanted to do. We knew we wanted to venture into the market, but we couldn’t afford to buy an established house. So, we started to look at building, and Dave said to look at Newenham for land,” recalls Emma.
They were instantly taken with Newenham’s vision of larger blocks, established trees, the utilisation of space, and the strong sense of community.
“That was a massive selling point with us. Newenham kept the integrity of the land by retaining 98% of the trees and providing larger blocks. Rather than being an open plain with everything scraped bare, the land at Newenham already felt established,” says Alex.
Knowing nothing about Newenham or where Dave and Robin were building, they picked the only available block in their budget. Ironically, it happened to be across the road from their friends!
Eventually, they all lived together in Tea Tree Gully while their homes were being built.
“We lived together as roommates, and it was really easy doing it all together. While they were building, we were also building. We just helped each other and gave each other a bit of support during the whole building process,” says Alex.
Another of Alex and Emma’s friends have also taken up residence at Newenham.
Apart from the obvious attraction of having friends living within a stone’s throw of each other, Alex and Emma love the forethought that has gone into Newenham. They love the wide-open spaces, natural reserves and green areas that promote an open and rural feel.
“The centrepiece of a community farm, market shed, café, and eventual restaurant that will utilise the farm’s produce all add to the attraction of being a part of a sustainable community,” says Emma.
Add to that the X Convenience Store, the delicious offerings at the Kitchen Farm Pantry cafe, the future retail and main street shopping precinct and the newly opened King’s Baptist Grammar School. Newenham’s proximity to the town centre of Mount Barker with the walking trail through Stephenson’s Park, is another plus.
For their first build and, in fact, their first home together, Alex and Emma eventually went with Shire Homes. The brief was to use space, light, and the north-facing aspect of the rear of the house.
To that end, they installed a massive 3m x 1.8m window that allows light to flood the living areas. They also had other ideas to create a more spacious home.
“That’s probably my favourite aspect of the build. We’ve only done three bedrooms, but that’s because we wanted more space in the bedrooms that allow for desks and furniture,” says Emma.
The couple has essentially taken a four-bedroom, two-living area home and repurposed it. They eliminated one living room and turned the fourth bedroom into a little study nook to create more space.
The result is three much larger bedrooms, larger living areas, doorways, and hallway to give the whole place a much grander feel.
“Rather than just thinking about what is the current trend with houses, this is for us to enjoy. Everyone has their own space, rather than squashing things in,” says Alex.
Completed in July 2021, Alex and Emma moved in and immediately felt like they belonged.
“We haven’t lived in an area where we’ve had any contact with our neighbours. Or, at least, we’ve only known one or two neighbours. At Newenham, we pretty much know our entire street, and it’s quite common if someone comes out, then another will come out, then another, and next thing you know, it’s the whole street,” says Emma.
Emma explains that she also loves the safety and security of their new community. “People look out for you, even if it’s the smallest thing. I’ve never felt so safe being home alone.”
Alex, Emma and pets Ruby, the seven-month Golden Retriever puppy and their three-year-old cat, Momo, are now firmly entrenched in Newenham’s beautiful surrounds and are enjoying the Hills lifestyle.
Weekends will see them, along with friends and neighbours, at Kitchen Farm Pantry on most Sundays. Other places they love frequenting include ‘Yuki in the Hills’ in Aldgate, Sazon’s in Mount Barker, various Hills wineries and breweries, and The Barker pub for quiz night.
In fact, they prefer to remain in the Hills rather than travel down to the city other than for work.
“We love to stay in the Hills on the weekend. Any weekend in the Hills is a good weekend,” says Emma.
With dinners with their friends across the road, get-togethers with neighbours, Newenham catch-ups and events, and friends about to move in down the street; it all sounds like the making of a great street party.
“That’s the plan,” says Alex.
If you’d like to know more about joining our tight-knit and growing community or securing your future at Newenham, simply contact our Sales Team on 0429 107 497 or on sales@newenham.com.au.
Check the website for the Sales & Information Centre opening hours.
We recommend booking a private 1-on-1 tour, even on weekends, to ensure we can provide you with the excellent service we are known for.
We look forward to welcoming you to Newenham soon.
