Crossing paths: Meet the buyers whose lives are bound together
Goodness and Oluwatobi
22 Oct 2024

Goodness and Oluwatobi (Tobi) have been close friends since first meeting through work in 2019 in Nigeria. Now, they’re working together again in the UK and both living in our Millbank Lock development in Trafford.

The bonds of friendship 

Nearly three years ago, the two friends decided separately to relocate their families to Manchester and as luck would have it, they found themselves working together again when they arrived in the UK.

Both married with one young child each, the friends individually decided they would like to buy their first homes in Manchester, with the city recently named as a top hotspot for first-time buyers - little did they know those homes would both be at Millbank Lock in Partington.

Goodness said: “I was renting a small flat in Salford which was not suitable for my young family, we needed more space and we were ready to buy. We always knew we wanted a new build home so the search was on. We decided on Millbank Lock, the Countryside Homes development in Partington, where my friend Tobi and her family were already renting.”

Once they chose their home, Goodness encouraged Tobi to buy too. Tobi and her partner had also been saving and were looking for a similar style of home. 

Tobi said: “We always wanted to buy a home and we had enjoyed living in a new build so it was a non-negotiable that we bought one. I had already been enjoying the friendly community at Millbank Lock and the connections we had made, so it was a no-brainer to buy really. I get to be close to my friend and enjoy owning a lovely newly-built home.”

Goodness adds: “Community was very important for us when choosing an area to raise our son. We wanted an area that had good schools and a family-friendly feel. With Tobi already living on the development, I encouraged her to buy there as I knew the properties available were ideal for her family too. When we moved to the UK, we didn’t set out to work and live this close together, but having her nearby has strengthened our relationship, and I hope that some of my other friends will move to the area too.”