The Waiting Game

Like many people signed up for the new housing development site, on the far south coast of the UK,who are anxiously waiting for the 110 newly developed Passivhaus homes to finally be completed, it's been one long setback after another.

My wife and I have been looking forward to moving into our new home since early August 2026. Some soon-to-be neighbours have been waiting even longer, with many having been told that their homes would be read and signed-off way back in March.

Yet both dates came and went with very little happening.

Jonathan Townend

It's been a long wait for all of us.

I completely understand why people are feeling frustrated. Moving home is one of the biggest, and most stressful life events in our lives. As a matter of fact, according to verywellmind, moving house ranks in the top five stressful life events, coming in at number three. (Revised & updated by Katharine Chan, MSc, BSc, PMP, dated April 18, 2026.

You make plans, start packing boxes, imagine where the furniture will go, and count down the days until you can finally get your keys. When those dates keep being rearranged, it can be disappointing and emotionally draining for you.

The thing is, sometimes life throws sudden challenges at everyone: while some people adapt well and cope, others don't manage very well at all.

This year's Summer has seen the devastating New Forest wildfire, severe dual carriageway and crash barries burned to a cinder as a result, lengthy road queues around Bournemouth and Poole, and even contractors going into administration. None of these things were expected, and none were really within anybody's control. As frustrating as delays can be, they're often the result of circumstances that nobody could ever have predicted.

The latest update suggests there could still be another six to nine weeks to wait before anyone moves in. That's probably not what any of us wanted to hear, but at this point there's not much we can do except keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Hey, but look on the bright side of that though, it's nearly Christmas... and what a present!

My wife and I decided quite early on to take things slowly on the packing side, because of my physical disabilities, rushing around packing wasn't really an option, so we've tackled it bit by bit. In a strange way, that slower pace has helped us cope with the uncertainty. We're prepared, but we're not exhausting ourselves trying to chase moving dates that keep changing.

Of course, we've had our 'stressy screaming' moments too. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. What has helped us most though, is remembering to take a break from thinking about the move.

• Going out for a walk.

• Enjoying some fresh air.

• Having a laugh.

• Watch something funny.

• Spending time on a hobby.

• For me, writing and journalling have been a lifesaver. Getting thoughts out of my head and onto paper always helps me regain a certain perspective.

• My wife, she's taken timeout to read and sing, as she is about to release her first song, which has helped her keep her head together through these periods.

The truth is, that one day, all this waiting will simply become a story we tell to our grandchildren...

We'll laugh about those endless delays, the stacks of boxes, and the months spent wondering when the call would finally come. We'll be sat in our new homes, enjoying lower energy bills, comfortable Passivhaus living, and getting to know the people living around us.

So, if you're finding the wait difficult, if you yourself, reading this right now are experiencing similar moving house stress, I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that you're certainly not alone. Maybe, you've been through it all and can relate to my story here? We're all feeling it in one way or another.

But we'll get there... every single one of us.

Perhaps a little wiser for it, too, knowing that each and everyone of us coped, in our own small way.

And when moving day finally arrives, I hope the first thing we all do is take a moment to appreciate just how far we've come.

Until then, take care of yourselves, be kind to one another, and try not to let the waiting steal the excitement of what's ahead.

From one future neighbour to another, I'll look forward to saying hello when we finally get the keys. The kettle will be on. ☕🏡