AIBU to ask your thoughts on which flat!

[2020sun]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a new flat so have a few to choose from. Some of them overlook a communal courtyard and I'm considering one on the top floor (only 3 floors). The only windows in the flat overlook the courtyard.

The others look over the car park, a busyish main road and car park or an industrial estate.

What location would you pick?? I'm drawn to the courtyard one as hoping it'll be quiet and the landscaped gardens will be nice but what's worrying me is potential noise (so not as quiet as I'm hoping with people using the courtyard, it's not huge so noise bouncing from the other flats and that you can see into the other flats on that floor... but then don't really want the view of an industrial estate or the car park and the noise that comes with that!

I don't want to be there that long so also need to consider resale.

TIA!

I'd pick the one overlooking the car park unless you know people won't be partying in the courtyard, but I would say my experience of courtyard flats is student land... and being on the top floor def a good move! Not sure if that's helpful but if you have time I'd visit the car park and courtyard on a weekend night and get an idea

Definitely the courtyard!

I'd go for the one overlooking the courtyard. Top floor is great as you won't get noise from above.

Top floor with a view of the courtyard sounds great!

Courtyard

Thanks all! Most votes for courtyard! That's reassuring!

@kitk it's a brand new build, not finished yet so won't know until I'm in! But not in a uni town so hopefully student parties won't be a problem

Courtyards echo like crazy. It will probably get less light too.

@user1480880826 oh gawd... that's what I'm worried about... the echoing! I've been in it and because it's top floor it gets lots of light, not worried about that... just the noise 😩

Is there any kind of curfew on using the garden in the evening?

@user1480880826

Haven't heard anything about that... and doubtful... Even if there was, suppose how would you police that..

Do any of the flats have/ not have lifts? Outside space?

I'd like the view going out rather than in although I'd prefer to look at a courtyard rather than a road.

Actually I'd go for your courtyard having been woken by my neighbour warming up his diesel car outside my window at 6.30 this morning!

@Clymene there are lifts but not near the one I'm looking at.

Ground floor ones have doors onto the courtyard but the others don't have balconies or anything like that.

@Clymene oh blimey! Annoying!!

I would think in a new build apartment building there will be quite strict rules around use of communal spaces. I'd ask the sakes office what they are.

I'd probably say courtyard too, given the other options. But which way do the windows face? I wouldn't want all north facing.

East facing :)

The courtyard

Thank you all for replying!!

Top floor - and with windows facing both south and westwards

Not north or east facing would be my choice

East will be colder. West facing gets sunsets and warmer in winter. You may find it too hot in summer though.

When sitting down in the flat, you see mainly out, so not the ground. What is above the carpark? Are you looking across at trees say.? Or lots of sky.

Courtyard you will only see flats. Outward looking you have a bit of a choice at what you look at. Are you happy to have no sunshine for most of the day?

I'd go for car park as you might get some entertaining action like on Alphabet Road . Plus just a courtyard is a bit boring.

Yes I’m agreement about the direction of the windows. Ideally pick whichever has south or southwest facing windows into the main living area if possible. In my opinion light would be the most important thing, a quiet flat may be very nice but not so much if it’s gloomy.