Worth getting a car when living in Blackheath?

[mumblechum0]

DS is going to be 23 in a couple of weeks and at the same time he and his girlfriend are moving from their rented flat in Holland Park to one in Blackheath. The new flat comes with parking, and is right on the Heath.

He hasn't had a car since he went to Uni and they manage OK most of the time, but I'm thinking it may be a good idea to buy him a little car as a birthday present so they can go for weekends away etc without the hassle of trains & taxis. He wouldn't be commuting as he works in the City.

It would also mean things like doing a big Tesco shop/getting stuff from Homebase etc would be a lot easier.

Do you think it's worth doing?

[wobblywonderwoman]

Will they be able to afford running it? Tax/insure. If they would, go for it. Lovely gesture.

[Floralnomad]

It's always worth having a car IMO

[mumblechum0]

That was quick! I'd pay for the first year's insurance for both of them and would make sure it had a long MOT and had just been serviced. Looking at a very little car with low tax.

[AllTheWittyNamesAreGone]

I think thats a gift that you need to ask before giving
Your giving a gift that costs tax,insurance, petrol, congestion charge, aa.
You could be putting a burden on them they dont want

[wobblywonderwoman]

If you are insuring it for the first year then that is so kind. He is lucky to have you

[mumblechum0]

AllTheWitty, it would be fully funded, inc AA Gold etc for the first year.

After that they can flog it if they can't afford to run it, I guess.

[dumbledore345]

I gave up my car in London and joined a car sharing scheme. No worries about insurance, parking, maintenance etc and a car available within a 100 metres or so in most places in London. He wont use a car for most of the week anyway. Zipcar is the way to go.

[vikthevegan]

Blackheath is perfect place to have a car. No congestion charge in south London. Also nice and quick to get into Kent countryside.

[mumblechum0]

Thanks all!

[mumblechum0]

bought him one of these: www.motors.co.uk/car-44548510/?i=0&m=sp

I am the world's loveliest mother.

[smerlin]

I live near there- car v useful indeed as quite far out from central London.

[mumblechum0]

[TopKittyKat]

I used to live there and had a car. You've made a good choice. Your DS is lucky to have a lovely mum.

[LuLuuuuuuu]

Blackheath is lovely but if they would be going to Homebase or Tesco (One in Lewisham, off Lewisham Road , was once a Whitbread brewery) I would definitely recommend a car .

Plenty of buses and a railway station there but the shops, though lovely, are mainly independents . Lewisham is not far but its not nice (and I am from there), Bromley is better for big shops.