Reading Road, Wallingford, OX10

There are two-bedroom apartments, and then there are two-bedroom apartments with a little more about them. This is very definitely the latter. Set within a small, established development on Reading Road, around a ten-minute walk from the centre of Wallingford, this bright first-floor apartment has been thoughtfully improved by its current owner and offers something increasingly valuable: a home that can flex around the way you live. The first clue is the space you walk into. Rather than a conventional hallway, there is a surprisingly useful additional area, currently used as a home office. It works brilliantly as it is, particularly for anyone working from home who doesn't want to surrender the second bedroom to a desk. But there are possibilities here too. Its long proportions mean a future owner could consider creating a separate hallway and partitioning the window end to form an enclosed office, hobby room or even potential third bedroom, subject of course to any necessary consents. From here, a sliding door opens into the living and dining room. It's a simple detail, but a clever one: leave it open and the apartment feels connected and free-flowing; close it when you want rooms to feel more separate. There's room for a proper dining table as well as a comfortable sitting area, and a door opens onto the apartment's own little balconette. We're not going to pretend you're hosting a garden party out there, but there's room for a small bistro set and a morning coffee in the fresh air - or, rather more practically, somewhere to put the washing out. Another sliding door connects the living space to the kitchen, which is bright, well proportioned and refreshingly practical. Soft-toned cabinetry provides plenty of storage and worktop space, while a large window brings in lots of natural light. Following the apartment around reveals its unusual horseshoe-shaped layout, with a beautifully refitted shower room and two genuinely good double bedrooms on the other side with fitted wardrobes. The shower room has been completely renewed, with a generous walk-in shower, contemporary vanity storage, rainfall shower fitting and heated towel rail. And the cosmetic improvements aren't the whole story. The current owner has also invested in some of the jobs buyers are far less excited about doing themselves, including replacement windows, upgraded electrics and a newer boiler and heating system. In other words, much of the sensible stuff has been taken care of too. Outside, St Leonards Court has a very different feel from a large, anonymous apartment block. It's a small development with a genuine sense of community amongst its residents - something the current owner has particularly valued - and green surroundings that give it a pleasantly leafy feel. The apartment also comes with its own garage and off-street parking, with additional visitor parking available. That's quite a useful combination this close to the centre of town. And then there's Wallingford itself. One of the great things about living here is how much life can happen without getting in the car. The town centre is around a ten-minute walk away, putting its independent cafés, pubs, restaurants, shops and market-town life within easy reach. The Thames is close by too, so weekends can just as easily involve a riverside walk as coffee and brunch in town. For commuters, Wallingford is well positioned for access towards Oxford and Reading by road and bus, with rail connections to London available from nearby stations. Perhaps what the owner will miss most, though, is the feeling of the place. They have loved feeling safe here, knowing their neighbours and becoming part of Wallingford life, making friends through the town's social activities while still having a home entirely of their own. So yes, technically it's a two-bedroom first-floor apartment. But that doesn't really tell you the whole story. It's two proper double bedrooms PLUS useful work-from-home space. It's a private balconette. It's a garage and parking. It's a small, neighbourly development rather than a soulless block. And it's a home where someone else has already spent money getting the important things right. There really is rather more to this one. The practical bits: The apartment is situated on the first floor and there is no lift. It is leasehold and the development is managed through a residents' management company. The 980 year lease runs until 3006, with ground rent of approximately £12 per annum and a current service charge of approximately £2,112 per annum. The seller is looking for an onward purchase. Please also note that the lease does not permit pets without prior written permission.