Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

House swaps

Find help and advice from other Mumsnetters on our House Swap forum.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Moving from a house to a flat

49 replies

Dlc1991 · 27/10/2022 06:55

Hi all
we are currently renting a 2 bedroom house but have been offered a 2 bed ground floor flat through our local council.
im stuck in two minds of what to do.
The rent is £200 cheaper a month which will allow us to save, the area is a new built area and only 10 minutes down the road.
Im just scared that if I go I will regret leaving my house and garden, to the never be able to get out the flat for many years.
we have two boys (8&3) who will share a room. Currently they have the box room in our current house but the council state that the flat is two double bedrooms.
Any advice would be helpful

OP posts:

Sago1 · 27/10/2022 09:14

We live in a house but have a 2 bed flat we let as a holiday apartment.
I said I could never live in a flat but I am a convert.
The heating costs are very low as is the maintenance.
There are only 3 other flats in the building, no dogs are allowed.
The only downside in bigger blocks is noise.
Check that the housing association is not planning to let any of the other flats through any organisation that supports people in need, ex offenders etc.
Also find out if there is an annual maintenance charge for communal areas.

mac1974 · 27/10/2022 09:19

The flat sounds lovely. Does it have any communal outdoor areas you can utilise. I think if there are parks close by you will be fine. Having bigger bedrooms for the boys will be amazing.

Original poster

Dlc1991 · 27/10/2022 09:38

mac1974 · 27/10/2022 09:19

The flat sounds lovely. Does it have any communal outdoor areas you can utilise. I think if there are parks close by you will be fine. Having bigger bedrooms for the boys will be amazing.

I’m not sure. Haven’t seen any floor plans or know what plot it is yet. Going to contact to housing association and see

OP posts:

Original poster

Dlc1991 · 27/10/2022 10:16

I just looked at some plots where it could potentially be and I’m unsure if it’s going to be opposite a row off shops. That has really put me off if it is as being ground floor we will have the hussle and bussle of people visiting the shops. Plus a nursery is opposite.
fingers crossed it isn’t that plot as I won’t accept it 😫

OP posts:

dollyblack · 27/10/2022 10:22

Take the flat, kids only appreciate gardens when they are very small, then they are out playing with friends in the street. I moved my kids to a flat a few years ago and never looked back. I hate gardening/maintenance and there are green spaces nearby.

Dingle66 · 14/05/2023 06:45

I'm in a 2bed house and I live alone moving. To a top floor flat with two floors and has two balconies is it a good idea she has a 1bed pleas help I'm 57years old

Original poster

Dlc1991 · 14/05/2023 09:55

Dingle66 · 14/05/2023 06:45

I'm in a 2bed house and I live alone moving. To a top floor flat with two floors and has two balconies is it a good idea she has a 1bed pleas help I'm 57years old

We are really enjoying our flat. Bills are much lower also. We are ground floor, I personally wouldn’t take anything above ground floor because of carrying shopping etc
but if it’s better for you then go for it

OP posts:

Dingle66 · 14/05/2023 10:11

I'm moving from house to penthouse I live on my own no kids notes friends all left andover so I live in a family home which is too big I have a chance of a penthouse 1bedlots of storage and balcony need advice im 57years old

Dingle66 · 14/05/2023 10:17

Please help I need advice on moving from house to pent house I have no kids no pets and I'm on my own at least penthouse on 3 Rd floor and I'm 57years old

sashh · 14/05/2023 11:16

Not by design but I have spent most of my adult life living on a single floor, flats, house shares and now a bungalow.

I much prefer it.

Depending on the layout you can rearrange flats more easily than a house eg make the living room a bedroom.

New builds have more insulation and are more energy efficient and you are not heating dead space like a hall and stairs.

I actually spend more on electricity in the summer as I tend to not feel the cold but I do feel the heat so use air con and fans.

@Dingle66 What help do you need? Just posting the same thing over and over is just going to put people's backs up.

Dingle66 · 14/05/2023 11:26

I'm so sorry just need good advice it's going to be a big change and I have a nifty and depression. and I am not good with changw

sashh · 14/05/2023 12:09

@Dingle66 but what about?

Actually moving?

Down sizing?

Dealing with change?

Dingle66 · 15/05/2023 05:13

I can't move my dad has health problems and coming to live with me.

Dingle66 · 15/05/2023 05:23

It was a top floor flat and I was not shown properly. How many steps there were I counted 30steps and if you went another way still 18andim3yearsoff 60andits not a estate people wish to go and. My garage has their stuff in and I have some boxes in there she'd but my brother said it's too high and what if you fall I live alone and it's a lovely penthouse but no I need to be ground level I was stupid and desperate and now I must tell them. but the family are well known and I might get trouble what can I do any advice please

Original poster

Dlc1991 · 15/05/2023 08:23

Dingle66 · 15/05/2023 05:23

Do you wanna make your own post then people can give you advice. Thanks

OP posts:

Roselilly36 · 15/05/2023 08:54

Do your DS’ play in the garden much OP?

I had two boys, that were bundles of energy, they played in the garden all the time, while I could get on with things in the house.

Tbh I would have really missed a garden, not only for the boys playing but for hanging out washing etc.

During the lock down we were in the garden all day, even though my two are grown up now.

I can see the attraction of a new flat, but not sure I would give up a house and garden for one. Definitely check out the room sizes, some new builds can be tiny.

If your boys were older and could take themselves to the park, it may be different but they are little, have you got time to take them to the park, when they need to burn off some energy.

Good luck with whatever choice you make & I hope it turns out well for you & your boys.

CrotchetyQuaver · 15/05/2023 09:08

I would take the flat. It's possible to do swaps in council properties, and being ground floor, it's going to be a desirable flat for someone if you decide you'd prefer a house.

Original poster

Dlc1991 · 15/05/2023 11:56

Hi all we have all ready moved. The boys love the flat as their room is much bigger for them. We have plenty of parks and fields for them to access to play football.
it was the best choice for us and also cheaper on bills so saving lots of money which is needed

OP posts:

Orangesandlemons77 · 15/05/2023 12:06

Hi, I have two boys also OP they are now 14 and 18, what I found is that as they got older they don't need a garden as much.

What is more important as time goes on is as you mentioned location in terms of schools and also that they can get themselves to the town centre and friends etc easily, and to school and any clubs they might do.

I can't drive and they manage to get themselves most places as we are in a city centre location.

Orangesandlemons77 · 15/05/2023 12:07

Sorry forgot to mention we live in a flat.

Orangesandlemons77 · 15/05/2023 12:07

Oh sorry just read your last post, glad to hear you have moved and settled. Hope all goes well for the future!

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 15/05/2023 12:34

Great news OP. Well done.

Dingle66 · 16/05/2023 17:25

Hi I'm withdrawing from exchange it's lovely but 35steps to flat I'm 57and my brother said are you crazy what if you fall you live alone top floors are for younger people the lady I have to tell is pregnant and very excited I have written letter to explain my circumstances. have changed my dad is poorly and he's selling his house and his other kids have young children and my dad is my world he's 83andi hope they under stand and I hate upsetting people but nothing I can do i only had call earlier

zuhaib123 · 12/06/2023 15:40

Hi
I am looking to move 2 bedroom house in Harrow or Barnet or hounslow or southhall,hillingdon, hertsmere borough or in Newport but can not find any landlords who accepts housing benefit

Or either looking to swap in Newport City Council, south Wales
Is there have any one in my same situation?

Flip

1 2