Buying a flat in not a great area

[Pikitup81]

So I'm trying to buy a flat/apartment for myself, I've been living with a family member for over a year now and while it's ok, it's definitely time to get my own space.
I don't have a very big budget and I'm currently looking at 1 bed places, I've viewed what is a really nice place but it's not in the best area. It's not terrible, I wouldn't say there's any "bad" areas where I live just not the nicest.

I've told my family today about it and the horror on their faces you'd think I'd said I was moving to Beirut, everyone's turned their nose up. I know it's ultimately up to me but I just feel like maybe I'm putting rose tinted glasses on and they'll be right, or are they just being snobs

I dont think we could possibly comment without knowing where it is and knowing the area.

Sometimes you have to make these choices and it is OK. Your very first property doesn't have to be your forever home. If you love it and it is convenient, you can make a home anywhere. I lived in nice middle-class areas, posh areas, middle of the road, at the back of a notorious council estate... it's all OK really and you make it work.

Hiya I bought a house on a council estate that used to have a bad reputation. A few friends warned me off. I'm so glad I didn't listen to them - I've been in my house 9 years and it's the friendliest place I've ever lived.
I checked crime rates and spent a bit of time in the area prior to moving. Can you do something similar to get a proper feel for the place?
Lots of people have prejudices, only you know if that's the case in your situation.

It depends why it is viewed as a bad area. I live in an area that has a bad reputation where I live. On paper it is bad, the crime stats are awful BUT despite witnessing crimes we have never been the victim of crime and I have never felt unsafe walking down the street.

I bought my first house in a not great area, it was what I could afford and it was better than renting :)

The only thing I’d say about buying a flat is he really careful about what service charges are included and what rights you have about any proposed increases. Often by the time you’ve factored that in you’d be better off paying a bit more on a mortgage on a house.

It is easy for older family members to forget that it isn't easy for a young person to simply buy a three bed house in a lovely area any more.

If you are happy with the area, that is all that matters.

The first flat I bought was ex-council. It was fine. You have to start somewhere.

I would be careful, how bad is it? I bought a house in a not great area that is in on the edge of a up and coming area. My hope was that it would trickle down and all improve. Unfortunately this hasn’t been the case, the whole area just seems to be getting worse. It’s still bearable but it’s really not fun living in a rough area. I wish I had bought somewhere nicer (although that’s a pointless wish as I couldn’t afford it anyway)!

Not enough info

i wouldn't be buying a "luxury" flat in a feral area...

Butttt i might buy a really spacious 1 bed in excellect condition with a bit of garden i couldnt otherwise in a less good area

Is it an area on the 'up' and are those around you improving/looking after their property? If not, walk away as buying a home means you'll be trying to sell it one day.

Area is important I think…I bought my first flat in a not so nice area because it was affordable, but I soon got tired of living there because there just wasn’t anything nice, no parks, no cafes etc, a lot of strange guys as soon as it gets dark.

In terms of protecting your investment, people will tell you that the clever purchase is a fixer-upper in a very good area, because you can improve a property as you acquire more money but you can't improve an area.
I wouldn't want to buy in an area that was decayed or decaying. If an area was less desirable but had something in the works that could cause it to improve in the future, that could be different.