To find it hard to adjust to this kind of home?

"There was only a living room & kitchen downstairs"

Oh dear, how ghastly. One cannot fathom how anyone could live like this. Sounds positively primitive.

I lived in a house which fronted straight onto the pavement, you're less likely to be broken into because the doors and windows are visible to everyone, unlike houses hidden up driveways with trees etc providing plenty of cover for the burglars.

You can get blinds to screen the windows so people can't peer in. It's fine, although maybe a little noisier if it's a route with lots of footfall

You don't have to buy one but I'm guessing that's what your budget can stretch to.

Horrendous? I've never lived in a house like this, but there are millions of them. By all means say they're not to your taste, but to say they're horrendous is kind of an overreaction and insulting to those who live in them. They're not dreadful hovels, just normal houses for many areas.

There are millions of these types of houses in the North (and probably in many other regions). I lived in one years ago and never once had a problem with it (or ever invented problems that could happen).

Im thinking that there used to be many houses like that in villages and also in parts of London. They used to be called "workmens" cottages because thats what they were. On big country estates they were for the agricultural workers and the servants of the big house. In London they are called mews cottages and are very expensive and desirable. You step straight into the main living room from the street, Our house had a kind of corridor (lobby) with the rooms leading off it. We used to play there as kids.

As some PP have pointed out most of the houses in the working class parts of large cities were like that. This is a very normal way for older houses to be built. Its only in the later 20th century that new builds were made with spaces for cars and set back from the street. Most will have some private space at the back.

Another thing thing about such older houses is that they are difficult to insulate to a C standard. So there may be many of them going cheaply if the new regulations come in as they will be difficult to sell. But if Labour gets kicked out that may change.

This is a very common style of housing in my city, the vast majority of city centre based/near housing is terrace properties that open onto the street. It wouldn’t be my first choice if I had the ability to be choosey but it wouldn’t be a showstopper for me.

For those who are unfamiliar with the style I’ve attached some pictures (might take a while to show as all pics have to be approved)

Agreed, these are hugely common.

To not want one, fine, but to be surprised by them?

You’d get used to it. It’s safe. I felt the same when i moved to a bigger house on a road. Previous cottage was surrounded by fields.

You didn’t call the police?

It would put me off a house. I did live in one similar as a child until we moved. My own home is set back from the road and we have a front garden and large drive. People still look in if they are passing and the door is open.

The house we lived in London is like that. Door opened straight to the street. We used a curtain for the door which had glass. The windows had shutters on the bottom half and nothing on the top so there was alot of light still.

It was in Chelsea and I assume would have a value of over £3 million. So not too 'horrendous' to even contemplate.

The horror people are expressing at a normal terraced house is weird. I've lived in one for over a decade. Of course in an ideal world I'd love a front garden and a drive to park my car, but it was this or a flat. I've never felt unsafe, quite the opposite. If anyone wants to try and break into my house or mug me when I'm opening my front door they're going to have to do it in front of the whole street, rather than from a more secluded driveway. Sheer curtains or nets easily and cheaply solve the problem of people being able to see in. To be honest I find some of the comments on this thread offensive and snobbish.

If you don't like it, don't buy it.

I often look at some of the houses on my commute and feel similar. Round here there's lots of quaint little micro cottages which were in the villages long before the A road running through them was built and their front doors open onto a tiny narrow pavement (half standard width) or in some places, even none at all. I wouldnt feel comfortable having to look both ways with lorries thundering past before exiting my own front door, especially not with a dog and small child.

But I dont think you can argue that privilege hasn't played a part in your current situation (thats not a bad thing btw - it's what we all work towards to try to provide for our own kids)

This!
Have you never, ever walked past a house like this?
They are very common and there are loads of them near me. I have never been in a mansion but I know they exist, are you sure you are not posting because you want to tell us you are in your 20's and buying a house?

It depends on the area. I lived in a flat like that in a dodgy area and I hated it. It was first floor so not overlooked when you were inside, but you opened the door right from the pavement. There were lots of drug issues in the area and people asking for money when you were about to open your front door was very intimidating. If it was generally a safe area, I wouldn’t mind.

I had a shared house like this at uni. In a small industrial town. Because it was a shared house the living room had been converted into a bedroom right at the front and this was my room. In the year I lived there I never felt any concerns about it. And I was sleeping right next to the front door with my bedroom window looking out on the street. I think I was probably just a fearless 20 year old, but the area felt very safe generally and the neighbours were a mix of students and locals and we all got on well.

In fact I had another similar set up a few years later in a big city. My bedroom was on the ground floor again and I used to keep my top window open at night and because the house was on a corner with a nearby pub I got to hear all the local comings and goings, it was quite fun.

I grew up in a detached house in a tiny village, set quite far back from the road so this wasn't what I was used to but I definitely have enjoyed all the different quirky places I have lived. Currently I have a very small front garden so I am basically on the road but in a cul de sac with trees and such like so no-one stood immediately outside my house.

Of course you're privileged, you're in your 20s buying a house in London, having grown up in a world of front gardens and driveways

You keep going on about your parents house like its your sole benchmark or reference.

Read the room OP.

You're describing a completely normal house.

I find it so weird you are in your 20s and haven't ever had the opportunity to notice this for yourself. You sound very sheltered and privileged.

My house gives directly onto the street and people can look through my window. I have stuff on the windowsill and the only people I’ve noticed looking in were small children on their way to school.

Sounds like my house. We have shutters in the front window. The bottom part stays closed, the top part stays open. I don’t like walking straight out onto the pavement but it’s centrally located and it’s in a good neighborhood.

Ok, I take back the word 'horrendous'. I had visions of a front door leading directly on to my local high street or something. I realise now people are talking about Coronation Street type houses.

Omg i cannot believe the privilege in this post. She's talking about a normal terraced house where lots and lots of people live.
Just imagine not having a concierge or long driveway! How on earth would you cope 🫣