AFFORDABLE HOMES
A FIRST STEP IN ZONE ONE: MEGAN’S STORY AT OVAL VILLAGE
Owning a home in Zone 1 isn’t something most first time buyers expect to do early. For many, it’s a gradual process – years of renting, moving between house shares and slowly edging further out of London in search of something
affordable. Living in central London often sits firmly in the “maybe one day” category
sometimes get with older places.” Today, Megan owns a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment
back from the city, blending greenery with the site’s industrial history, while a rooftop terrace offers wide views across London. Practical details also play their part in making day-to-day life feel easier. A 24- hour concierge service is on hand, residents have access to an on-site gym, and with Vauxhall, Oval and Kennington stations all within a short walk, getting around the city never feels like a stretch. For Megan, that balance has been key. “I’ve been exploring the area more since moving,” she says. “There are so many great spots nearby and I love that it’s so central but still surrounded by open space.” A MOMENT THAT MATTERS Now settling in, Megan is beginning to make the space her own. “I’m looking forward to having people over and properly making it mine,” she says. It’s a small but significant shift – from shared living to something of her own. With only a limited number of Manhattan studio and one bedroom homes remaining, Megan’s story feels like a quiet turning point. The moment something once out of reach begins to feel possible. For those still renting, still weighing up their next move, it shows how quickly that shift can happen, from shared spaces to something of your own. And for those still searching, these final homes offer the chance to begin that same story, in a place that already feels like home. Dagenham Green
THAT WAS THE CASE FOR MEGAN
at Zone, giving her both independence and a sense of permanence in a part of London she didn’t expect to afford.
At 29, Megan had spent much of the past decade living in shared housing. Originally from Somerset, she moved to London five years ago and had been renting in Clapham until her lease came to an end and her housemates began making their own plans. It was a natural turning point, and one that prompted her to think differently about what came next. “I was ready for a change,” she explains. “I wanted a place of my own – somewhere I could feel settled.”
A HOME THAT WORKS FOR HOW YOU LIVE
For Megan, the shift hasn’t just been about ownership but about the feel of everyday life. “The apartment feels so spacious and well thought through,” she says. “There’s loads of storage, and the natural light makes it feel bright and welcoming.” At Zone, that sense of considered design runs throughout. Apartments have been created with contemporary living in mind – open, light-filled spaces, practical layouts and private balconies offering a valuable connection to the outdoors. It’s these quieter details that make the biggest difference over time – the things that allow a home to feel settled rather than temporary. SPACE TO LIVE, AND SPACE TO PAUSE Beyond the front door, the development itself adds another layer to everyday life. At the heart of Oval Village, landscaped communal gardens provide a space to step
FINDING A DIFFERENT WAY IN
Like many first time buyers, Megan hadn’t considered central London a realistic option. But after hearing about Shared Ownership through a friend, she began to explore what might actually be possible. What she found at Zone at Oval Village shifted that expectation. “Without Shared Ownership, this move wouldn’t have been possible,” she says. “It made getting on to the property ladder achievable while still being in such a great location.” After viewing a number of secondhand properties, she realised she wanted something different. “I wanted something modern, clean and low maintenance. Having rented my whole adult life, I didn’t want to deal with the kinds of issues you
To book your viewing visit zone-ovalvillage.co.uk
38 First Time Buyer August/September 2026
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