For 25-year-old recruitment consultant Reece Miles, buying his first home wasn’t about moving somewhere new – it was about finding a way to afford a home in London without leaving the area he already loved.
Having grown up in Plumstead and lived with his parents his entire life, Reece was keen to find a place of his own without moving away from his family home, his routine or his easy commute into central London. With the Elizabeth line on his doorstep at Woolwich, Rockcliffe Square offered everything he needed, including fast connections into the city, a brand-new home and a way to buy, rather than rent.
“There were rental apartments being built near my family home, but renting just didn’t make sense to me,” Reece explains. “I knew I’d be paying a lot of money every month and not actually owning anything at the end of it. Shared Ownership felt like a much smarter move – especially as it meant I could afford to stay local.”
Thanks to Shared Ownership at L&Q’s Rockcliffe Square, Reece has purchased a 25% share of a studio apartment just five minutes from his family home, allowing him to stay close to the place he’s always called home while stepping onto the property ladder for the first time.
“I’ve lived in this area my entire life,” he says. “All my family are here, I know the neighbourhood inside out, and I really didn’t want to move miles away just to be able to afford something.”
Reece began thinking seriously about moving out when his mum announced plans to retire and relocate later this year. “I knew that before she moved, I wanted to get myself sorted,” he says. “I’d always lived at home, but it felt like the right time to take that next step and have a place of my own.”
Reece discovered Rockcliffe Square after spotting an open day advertised online, which appeared on his mum’s Facebook feed.
“I actually turned up not realising it was a sales event, but the sales team were great – they offered me a tour, showed me the studio and one bedroom show home, and I just had that feeling straight away that it could really work for me.”
In fact, Rockcliffe Square was the only development Reece viewed. “It genuinely ticked every box,” he says. “The location, the price, the fact it was a new build – I didn’t feel the need to keep looking. Everything just fell into place.”
What sealed the deal was the quality and design of the homes. “Being a new build was really important to me,” Reece explains. “Everything is fresh, modern and brand new – the integrated appliances, the kitchen, the bathroom.
His studio apartment also comes with a private balcony overlooking the podium gardens, which Reece says has already become his favourite feature. “I can’t wait for summer,” he says. “Having outdoor space is such a bonus – it makes the flat feel even bigger and brighter.”
Despite being a studio, Reece says the apartment feels far more spacious than expected. “The openness really surprised me,” he adds. “It feels like a proper home, not just a small space. I’ve just done a massive IKEA trip and I’m in full ‘making it my own’ mode.”
Rockcliffe Square also works perfectly for Reece’s commute. “I work in Farringdon, so having the Elizabeth line basically on the doorstep is a game-changer,” he explains. “It makes getting into central London so easy – I honestly couldn’t have picked a better location.”
After picking up the keys in December 2025, Reece officially moved in January 2026. “It felt a bit surreal at first. Living on my own took some getting used to – but it’s been amazing. I’ve got my independence, my own space and I’m still close enough to pop back home for dinner when I fancy it.”
Reece sees Rockcliffe Square as a home for the next five years, with hopes to staircase in the future. “If I could afford to, I’d love to staircase one day,” he says. “And as life changes, I’ll look at something bigger — but for now, this is perfect.”
https://lqhomes.com/rockcliffesquare/