Offered council property in terrible area

However you got where you are this is where you are. And nothing you are telling us makes it sounds like you have any other options. But if you have, then by all means turn it down, I'm sure there are people out there that would welcome it.

Take it, what's the worse that can happen ? If it goes tits up you can move back to your mums, but if you don't even try your poor son will have to.continue living with little space.

Fwiw one of the.worst estates in my area, so bad my friend would use my address on job applications because using her own would have her rejected for interviewers is now.one.of the best estates thanks to a determined residents association and parents wanting more for their kids......it's still looks.scruffy because the money.and time just isn't there to.deal with that aspect. But drug and crime wise it's no worse than any other area in my town. If the news reports you're finding are a few years old I'd push any prejudices and fears to one side, get to know the area a little at different times of the day and at least give it a chance.

Take it!

As someone who lives in London, its just part of city life. I realised this week my toddler was standing in someones piss in the train station lift (so grim). I cant afford to go live out in a leafy suburb at the moment. Its honestly fine, I would go for a walk around the estate and you will see its just people living their lives. Youl be able to have your own space, decorate it how you like etc.

And its not forever.

You are working really hard and one day you can look at saving for a deposit/shared ownership etc.

I'm sorry to hear this. But being offered a council property is beyond the reach of most people who need one.

Honestly OP I would take it .After working in care for many years I have learnt you can't judge everyone just by the area they live in .In one of my jobs I worked in our nearest town .Couple of the estates had a reputation as you couldn't leave your car , no wheels on it when you come back etc .I found the majority of people who lived there cared about the area and there was a good community spirit.If I ever got lost someone was always willing to help one even took the time to draw directions for me.

If you're on the council list, you're gonna get a property on a council estate. If you can't afford to live anywhere else, you take it and make the best of it.
I've lived in council flats in rough areas and been fine. It was character building 😂. You literally just keep to yourself, mind your own business, and when you shut your front door you could be anywhere.

Yes definitely take it!

It may surprise you.

If you absolutely hate it then you can always try and exchange, go private or move back to your mums.

There are places that do house drug addicts or ex prisoners and most MNers do not understand the implications of living on such an estate. So ignore any rude comments.

Definitely still take it though!

Unless you've been in that situation then it's very difficult to understand. You didn't have to put anything else explaining anything but that's Mumsnet for you.

Very sorry for everything you've been through x

Op I am doing the same, I was offered a house in a dodgy street. I've taken it because although it's dodgy, my kids go to school in the nice part of the area and it's where I need to be. The house itself is horrific so i spent the first few months still living at my mums while i did it up - actually more like 6 months! I pay the rent so it's fine. The first 3 weeks I did absolutely nothing, i had the keys but I felt so overwhelmed at the area and the work that needed doing. Gradually I talked myself round and realised I had to make a start. In the first 6 months where I didn't really live there, I got to know the street, I got to know my neighbours. I started to get excited about living in my home and putting my own stamp on it. I started to feel more relaxed and realised I had made the right choice.

Wishing you luck op - I really think you need to give it a chance. There's always other options if it doesn't work

BTW I do understand that it's a worry for you, but really turning down the property might mean that you won't be considered for a very long time. Best to accept and look forward to the future.

If the reports are a few years old, hopefully it’s mostly been dealt with now.
take the flat - you’ve nothing to lose if your going to be booted off the list anyway.
do it up slowly and make it yours.

for what it’s worth, my kids go to school in one of the most desirable places in the south east, it’s where I imagine 80% of posters on mumsnet comes from. Down the alleyways there’s still dealing and weed smoking.

deep breath, get excited And plan a trip to ikea.

'sorry if my use of the word undesirables has caused offence, I actually thought it was more polite than crackheads.'

You've no idea who is a 'crackhead' by looking. As you wouldn't want to be judged for being a single parent in a council flat, stop judging others.

It's understandable to be a bit worried, I doubt you are the only one who would be a bit concerned moving to a dodgy area just you and dc

Loads of us have done it though and it's worked out fine. I think moving in gradually and spending some time getting it ready is a good idea

I would take it for now Living on a council estate doesn’t define you your circumstances for you and your child can become what you make them what I mean by that is that you are not limited by your immediate surroundings if you work on getting access to good opportunities for your child. If you don’t already drive learn to do so and get a car so that you can access a wider range of places to go and things to do. Enrol on child friendly activities in a library or toddler groups in church halls etc. Sorry if that sounds patronising but the flat on the council estate is just a base. Also you will find that a lot of people are just nice and normal You could be pleasantly surprised

It will be a lot rougher living under the underpass.

I would snap that flat up and know that things arent forever. You may be able to move again at some point, also deprived areas often get gentrified these days. I moved into a terrible area in my 20s but now it is proper sought after area - I dont live there anymore but still! Take what you can for now then plan your next move!

You’d be mad to turn it down if it’s your last chance, I’m surprised they even let you turn down one my council doesn’t!

You can make it lovely inside and if you don’t mix with the undesirables I doubt you’ll have any trouble.

@BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers you do know that people in council houses have jobs? You sound like a snob

There's a lot of unnecessary aggression on this post isn't there!

I get your concern OP.
I was living at my parents following my husband walking out on me during pregnancy. I work but have low income. I'd never get accepted on private rental due to demand in the area and being less desirable having a UC top up (yep, that's a thing!!).
I was offered a flat but it was in shocking state of repair and was outside of my normal area.
I posted on here for advice and got a lot of response from those ivory towers telling me how Ungreatful I was, how I should up my hours or shut up, how my mum should Chuck me out. Oh I'm sure you can imagine.

Anyway I took the flat and I've managed to make it a home.

People need to consider how vulnerable those are who are in this position. Nobody wants to have to be in council housing, low income, verge of poverty. It's quite a shock looking for council properties and the actual state they can be left in.

I can't really say what I'd do in your situation because there are some areas near me I just could never live in. But what I would say is that it won't be forever and you can make to a home. Having that space and independence will really help you too!

Hope you're ok and ignore the ignorance ok some of the replies here!

You have two choices, OP: take it or rent privately.

Take the council flat. Concentrate on the positives:-

Its a nice flat inside your front door and you can make it lovely.
The move gives you much needed independence.
The area surrounding the estate is nice.
There will be some really nice people also living there.
The nice people already there will appreciate another nice family (you and your dc) moving in.
You have your mum to run to back to if things become unsafe at any point.
You will be in a perfect position to swap in future instead of being kicked off the council list.

Grab it and make the best of the prospects it offers. See how you get on. You could be very pleasantly surprised. Good luck !

There are council flats and houses in all of the nicest areas of London. Notting Hill, Clapham, Chelsea, Covent Garden, Chiswick, Richmond, etc....

The council doesn't test and sort people into desirable and undesirable slots. In your circumstances it is obvious you would be offered a flat and would be living alongside people in similar social and financial circumstances. That means there is going to be a right mixture of people there and some may be from more challenging backgrounds and you will sometimes see the behaviour that goes with that and gives an area a reputation. But most will be absolutely fine and depending on the people around you there can be a real community feel.

Mums lounge or limited choices on where you are housed, that is where your life choices have taken you.

You will need a home for your ds as you can't live out of your mums lounge forever. Take it and start looking at your future choices, work on how you can improve your earning potential so you do have more choices in the future (and make sure your contraception is rock solid until you are in a better position).

If I was her mum, I would force the issue. Take the flat or I will make you homeless.

Take it and look into swapping as soon as you can.