Pictured above: Stephen Child

The city centre lifestyle is continuing to attract young professionals taking their first steps onto the property ladder, according to Crest Nicholson - the force behind the award winning Park Central development in Birmingham city centre.

Bordered by Bath Row and Lee Bank Middleway, Park Central features an innovative collection of apartments and townhouses around eight acres of landscaped public parkland. The buzz of city living together with the vast amount of green open space at Park Central has proved to be a winning combination for 27-year old Stephen Child, a recruitment consultant who has purchased his first property - a one bedroom apartment - at the development.

Stephen explained: "I was renting a property in Handsworth Wood when I decided to make the move to the city centre, and when I started looking at available properties it became clear that Park Central had everything I needed. The location is perfect for me and, as I work in Birmingham city centre, living here has already made a huge difference to my lifestyle. Before I moved to Park Central I travelled into work every day by car. I now walk to the office, and by cutting out my commute I have significantly cut down on my living costs.  

"I've got a parking space with my apartment and this is a real bonus as it means I can pick up my car and drive to client meetings when I need to.  After work, I often make the most of being able to socialise with friends, and The Mailbox is close by which is really convenient for the city's canalside bars and restaurants. Being able to walk back to my apartment after work or a night out is real advantage which I am thoroughly enjoying; however one of the biggest factors in my move to Park Central was the parkland at the development.  Living here means I can make the most of the vibrancy and energy of the city centre, and when I get home I can switch off, relax and enjoy having acres of green open space just outside my apartment."

According to Stephen, buying a new home turned out to be more affordable then he expected. Stephen added: "When I first looked into home ownership, I was fully aware of the challenges facing today's buyers in securing a mortgage.  

"At Park Central, the sales team introduced me to HomeBuy Direct, and as I was eligible for this government assistance scheme, the mortgage amount and deposit I needed to get on the property ladder were much lower than I thought they would be. This really made a difference to me, and I quickly realised how expensive renting was working out compared to the monthly costs of actually owning my own city centre apartment. I see my purchase as an investment and who knows where it will lead me in the future!"

At Park Central, a selection of one bedroom apartments is currently available in the Upper Parkside phase, with prices starting from just £90,000. Two bedroom apartments are available from £146,500.  Crest Nicholson recently announced plans for a new £15 million phase of at Park Central. Lower Parkside is currently under construction and features 80 stylish apartments and 27 freehold townhouses. The first completed properties will be ready to move into in January and a showhome will be launched in the New Year, giving buyers the opportunity to take a closer look at the new phase.

Jo Parker, sales manager for Park Central, said: "It is hugely satisfying to help first time buyers such as Stephen onto the property ladder at Park Central. Birmingham has so much to offer young professionals and many buyers are attracted by the lifestyle they could be enjoying in a contemporary apartment in the heart of the city centre. The feedback we consistently receive from prospective purchasers at Park Central is that they are surprised to learn a home of their own is well within their financial reach; and the team here is well placed to support these buyers in whatever way we can in order to help them realise their homeownership goals."