Zairah’s journey to owning her first home
For 37-year-old Marketing and Sales Content Manager Zairah, renting across London had been part of life for 14 years. Moving every few years had become the norm, bringing with it the feeling of never being fully settled.
That changed when she discovered Shared Ownership at Peabody New Homes’s City Angel development in Islington. Through Shared Ownership, Zairah purchased a 25% share of a studio apartment, giving her the opportunity to put down roots in a sought-after Zone One location.
“For the first time, I feel like I can truly put down roots,” says Zairah. “It’s such a dream come true to be able to say I now own a piece of London.”
A new build studio apartment designed around everyday life
Zairah’s studio apartment has given her the independence and permanence she was looking for, while offering a calm, well-designed space that suits her lifestyle.
“I love how cosy and efficient it is. Everything has its place, which makes it easy to keep tidy and enjoy the space. It honestly feels like living in a luxury boutique hotel suite, except it’s my own home. I also love that it has encouraged me to be more intentional about what I bring into the space and how I use it. It’s the perfect size for me and feels really calm and comfortable.”
With a full market value of £465,000, Zairah’s home gave her the opportunity to buy in a central London neighbourhood that may otherwise have felt out of reach.
Living in the heart of Islington
City Angel’s Zone One location places residents just minutes from Angel and Old Street tube stations, with easy access to Islington, Clerkenwell, Hoxton, Shoreditch and the City.
“There’s so much to do here. What I love is that the canal is only 10 minutes away. I love running along it in the summer and spending my weekends there. It’s also a super easy route into Shoreditch for a night out, you can get there in 10 minutes, and you’re just as close to Camden in the other direction. Another big benefit is that I’m only a 30-minute walk from Oxford Street, and moving here has cut my commute time in half.”
Finding community and making the most of local life
Since moving to City Angel, Zairah has been making the most of the local area, from dance classes and pasta making workshops to independent cafés, bars and restaurants nearby.
“Since moving to City Angel, I’ve discovered local dance classes and cooking workshops, including pasta making classes with Pasta Evangelists in Farringdon, which have been a great way to meet new people and try something different. Living here has inspired me to spend more time in the local community, and it really does feel like home.”
That sense of home extends beyond her front door. “The community here really makes everything even better. I’m friends with my neighbours, and we have a residents’ association that helps everything run smoothly. We’ve gone out for coffees together and discovered some lovely local cafés and bars including Rugged Bunch, Redemption Roasters, Ladybirds and one of my new favourite restaurants, Noci and Holy Pitta. I’ve also hosted friends a few times, my balcony has become a great little outdoor space to relax and entertain.”
Amenities that support wellbeing
Zairah also enjoys access to The Regents Club, an exclusive residents’ health and wellbeing facility with a pool, spa, gym, games rooms, co-working spaces, a lounge, reformer Pilates studios and fitness classes.
“For me, the amenities were a huge selling point. Alongside the pool, spa and gym, there are games rooms, co-working spaces, a lounge, reformer Pilates studios and plenty of fitness classes. Outside, there’s a beautiful courtyard where residents relax and socialise. I feel really safe here, and it’s so quiet, I’ve been sleeping much better.”
Shared Ownership made London homeownership possible
Reflecting on her journey, Zairah says Shared Ownership helped make buying a home in London feel far more achievable.
“If you’re looking for your dream home but are finding London rent prices hard to keep up with, Shared Ownership is honestly a great option. It made owning a home feel far more realistic and accessible than I expected, especially in a city like London. I love knowing that what I’m paying each month is going towards something that’s mine, rather than just renting long term; and in a lot of desirable areas the monthly costs can actually work out similar to renting. The whole process felt much less intimidating once I got started, so my biggest advice would be not to rule yourself out of home ownership before properly exploring it - it’s easier than you think.”
Now settled into her new home at City Angel, Zairah is enjoying the stability, community, and convenience of Zone One living.
