When Natalie and her partner Lewis began searching for a new home, finding the right location was just as important as the property itself. Originally from the north of England, Natalie was looking for somewhere that offered the peace and space she had always enjoyed, while remaining well connected to the surrounding area.

After exploring several developments, the couple discovered The Elms, a collection of thoughtfully designed homes by Hopkins Homes in the Suffolk village of Woolpit.

“Woolpit wasn't somewhere I'd originally considered, but when we discovered The Elms, everything seemed to fall into place. We loved the village, the setting and the variety of homes. It just felt right.”

While the location initially attracted Natalie to The Elms, it was the people she met along the way who would make it feel like home.

A chance introduction that became a lasting friendship

Moving away from her friends and family in the north meant Natalie was starting a new chapter in an unfamiliar area. Although Lewis had connections locally, Natalie was keen to build friendships of her own.

As it turned out, one of those friendships began with a simple conversation in the Hopkins Homes sales office.

“I'd decided to add a breakfast bar to our kitchen and popped in to ask Jason, our Sales Executive, for some advice about matching the cupboards. He introduced me to another resident, and we've become really close friends ever since.”

For Natalie, that introduction meant more than Jason could have anticipated.

“When I first moved here, I didn't really know anyone apart from Lewis's friends and family. Having someone nearby who I could build a friendship with made such a difference.”

Since then, Natalie has formed connections with several neighbours, enjoying countryside walks, evenings at the local pub and the everyday conversations that make a neighbourhood feel welcoming.

Some of her fondest moments are with the retired couple who live next door.

“Our neighbours are wonderful. They're always happy to take in parcels for us, but collecting one is never a quick visit! I'll pop round to say thank you, and an hour later we're still standing on the doorstep chatting.”

It's these spontaneous moments that Natalie has come to treasure.

“There's something really homely about living here. Everyone is friendly, and although we all have our own space, there's a lovely sense of community.”

Lending a helping hand to new neighbours

Natalie and Lewis have also found their own way of welcoming others to The Elms.

Lewis works in removals for Suffolk-based furniture retailer Glasswells and has helped several fellow residents move into their new homes.

Through his work, he's been able to offer more than a helping hand with the furniture, sharing recommendations and local knowledge with those settling into the area.

“Lewis has helped a few of our neighbours move in, and he always makes sure to tell them about the village. He'll recommend the local pub and other places to visit, so before they've even finished unpacking, they already feel like they know someone.”

For Natalie, it's a lovely example of how naturally friendships can develop at The Elms.

“We often bump into people as they're walking into the village, so there's always an opportunity to stop and have a chat. It's nice knowing that when someone moves here, they're joining a neighbourhood where people look out for one another.”

It's the little things that make a community

The connections at The Elms extend beyond friendly conversations over the garden fence.

Residents have established a community WhatsApp group, providing a place to share useful information, offer advice and keep one another updated.

From reminders about bin collections to local traffic updates, it's become a small but valuable part of everyday life.

“The WhatsApp group is brilliant. There's always someone sharing something helpful, whether it's a reminder about the bins or an update about traffic on the A14. It's those little things that make life easier.”

The group also has its lighter moments, including an occasion when residents began introducing their pets.

“One person shared a photograph of their cat, and before long everyone was introducing theirs. It was such a lovely little moment, and it made me smile.”

For Natalie, the balance between neighbourly connections and personal space is what makes The Elms particularly special.

“Even though there are lots of people living here, it never feels busy. Everyone is respectful of each other's space, and it's incredibly peaceful. In the summer, we can sit in the garden and enjoy how quiet it is.”

Embracing village life in Woolpit

Beyond the development itself, Natalie has embraced everything Woolpit has to offer.

With a traditional village pub, bakery, Co-op and fish and chip shop within walking distance, everyday essentials are close to home, while the surrounding countryside provides plenty of opportunities to explore.

“One of my favourite things about living here is being able to walk everywhere. We use the village shops regularly, and the pub has become a real local for us. It's lovely walking in and being greeted by people who know you.”

For Natalie, who has always enjoyed spending time outdoors, the location offers an ideal balance between village life and the countryside.

“I love going for walks, and within a couple of minutes you can be surrounded by countryside. Yet Bury St Edmunds is only a short drive away, so you've got everything you need within easy reach.”

It's this combination of convenience, tranquillity and community that has made Woolpit somewhere Natalie can truly see herself staying.

“You really do have the best of both worlds here. I can't imagine living anywhere else now.”

Making their house a home

Alongside finding her place in the community, Natalie has enjoyed bringing her own style to the home she shares with Lewis.

The couple chose The Lynford, and Natalie was keen to personalise the interiors from the outset.

With a breakfast bar added to the kitchen, decorative wall panelling throughout and a newly completed garden, their home has gradually become a reflection of their personalities.

“I've really enjoyed making the house our own. Starting with a new build gave us a blank canvas, and I've been able to introduce all the little details that make it feel personal.”

The kitchen has become a particular favourite.

“We added a breakfast bar, and it's probably one of the best things we've done. We use it all the time, and it's made the kitchen such a lovely space to spend time together.”

Although Natalie can imagine needing a larger home in the future, she hopes that any next move will still be within the neighbourhood she's grown to love.

“I absolutely love our home. If we ever decided to move somewhere bigger, I'd love to stay at The Elms. We've found such a lovely place to live, and I wouldn't want to leave it behind.”

More than a place to live

For Natalie, the experience of moving to The Elms has brought far more than she initially expected.

What started as a search for a new home has led to close friendships, supportive neighbours and a lifestyle that combines the charm of village living with the comfort of a thoughtfully designed home.

From the introduction that sparked a lasting friendship to Lewis helping others settle into the neighbourhood, it's the people and everyday moments that have made the greatest impression.

And when asked what advice she'd give to someone considering a home at The Elms, Natalie doesn't hesitate.

“I'd say go for it. The homes are lovely, there's so much variety, and the village has everything you need. It's a peaceful place to live, but there's also a real sense of community. We've been so happy here.”

For Natalie, The Elms isn't simply where she lives. It's where she's built friendships, found a sense of belonging and created a home for the years ahead.

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This customer received a gift voucher as a token of our appreciation for their time and participation in this case study / testimonial.  If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact us at stories@untypical.co.uk.