Pocket - Starter homes for city makers

Moving home and broadband with Pocket Living

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026 Hugo Owen Leave a comment

Amid the upheaval of moving home – packing boxes, unpacking boxes and deciding where to put everything in your new place – staying connected can make the transition smoother.

Especially if you’re a first time buyer. Something as small as being able to stream your comfort series on your first night living there can go a long way in helping you settle in.

On average, movers face 7.2 days without broadband during a home move. Although a week isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things, it’s more than long enough to disrupt your daily life, especially if you work from home.

To help you stay online when moving into your Pocket home, we’ve put together this handy guide with everything you need to know.

First time buyer stamp duty explained

February 15, 2026February 18, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

When you’re getting ready to buy your first home, knowing how much it will cost can help you budget accordingly. On top of your deposit and mortgage, there are other costs to consider – stamp duty is one of them. The good news is that as a first time buyer, you could benefit from a stamp duty exemption or relief.

We know stamp duty can be a confusing subject, so we’re breaking it down to help you understand what it is, how it’s calculated and when it applies to first time buyers.

The best London boroughs for first time buyers

February 12, 2026February 18, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

As a first time buyer in London, you’ve probably asked yourself which borough is right for you. Of course, affordability matters, but so do local amenities and good transport links. Choosing where to buy your first home is a big decision, so it’s important to pick somewhere that suits your lifestyle.

In 2021, we conducted research to rank the best London boroughs for first time buyers, based on factors that matter to them, such as property prices, access to Cycle Superhighways and Green Flag parks and the number of train stations and bus stops. Boroughs that performed well included two locations of current Pocket developments: Croydon and Waltham Forest.

Below, find out why the locations we’ve chosen for our available Pocket homes are perfect for you, the city makers.

How to make your home look bigger

February 9, 2026February 18, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Interior design is so much more than how our homes look; it’s also how they make us feel. Between working and relaxing, we spend a lot of time at home, so the design and layout matter because they shape our experience of living in the space.

We’ve designed Pocket homes to enable you to live and work comfortably, but there are many ways to make them look and feel bigger. All it takes is a few simple steps to have an immediate impact.

From clever lighting to paint colours, we’ve compiled a list of decorating ideas for small rooms to make them appear larger. Read on for our top space-enhancing design tips and tricks.

Tips for working from a Pocket home

February 6, 2026February 18, 2026 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

Snuggling up on the couch as you work from home may be comfy at first, but before you know it, you’re still wearing your pyjamas at lunchtime, and your posture resembles a prawn. That’s why it’s essential to have a working-from-home setup that supports productivity and wellbeing.

Thankfully, you don’t need a separate home office to effectively WFH. While smaller living spaces can present challenges, there are various ways to make them work for your needs. Whether you follow a hybrid or remote arrangement, these tips will help you create your ideal working-from-home setup in your Pocket apartment.

Why our new build homes are more eco-friendly

December 12, 2025February 18, 2026 Robyn Wilson Leave a comment

Sustainability features can increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon. This can also reduce bills, which is why we have made our new build homes more eco friendly.

Best Christmas Markets in London

December 6, 2025February 18, 2026 Robyn Wilson Leave a comment

Pocket is working harder than ever to help Londoners get onto the property ladder. We love this city, especially during the festive season.

In this blog, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite Christmas markets in London to get you into the holiday spirit. A few of these hidden gems take place in neighbourhoods our Pocket communities call home. You can visit our development page to see where we’ve built our first time buyer homes and how they’ve become thriving communities.

Add them to your list and start planning your winter outfits!

Buying an affordable home in Croydon

November 4, 2025February 18, 2026 Robyn Wilson Leave a comment

Tom, a marketing analyst, and his partner Diane, who works in finance, moved into their first home together in April 2022 after viewing a Pocket Living apartment at Addiscombe Grove CR0 in East Croydon. They fell in love with its modern design, great transport links and reasonable starting price.

Here’s their story of how they were able to purchase an affordable home in Croydon.

How to save for your first home

October 28, 2025February 18, 2026 Robyn Wilson Leave a comment

Saving for a deposit and maintaining your weekly brunch habit might seem mutually exclusive, but they don’t have to be. All it takes is a well-thought-out savings plan – one that works with your budget and lifestyle – to make your home-buying dream a reality.

You make this city, so you should get something back. A home you can call your own. Somewhere you can put your stamp on. That’s where we come in. We built Pocket Living around the idea that everyone should have a fair opportunity to get on the housing ladder, and we’re here to help you get there.

In this blog, we’re sharing our top tips on saving for your first home, whatever your circumstances. From ISAs to bank accounts and more, we’ll help you understand everything you need to know about saving. Let’s get started.

Will mortgage rates go up or down?

October 28, 2025February 18, 2026 Robyn Wilson Leave a comment

Mortgage rates might not seem like the most interesting topic, but as a first time buyer, it’s important to understand what they are, what impacts them and how they could affect you.

At Pocket Living, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about stepping onto the property ladder. So, in this guide, we’ll explore the base rate, the forecast for mortgage interest rates and what you should consider as a first time buyer before committing to a mortgage deal.