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Original poster

Why do I, well, not really like new houses, and yet...

65 replies

Pruni · 19/04/2006 17:37

...I kind of hanker after living in one. Sigh.

I am so tired of crusty, shoogly windows that rattle in the breeze, and no insulation, and electrics that are only borderline safe, and anyway only one power point in a room because when the house was built people had nothing to plug in, and tongue and groove with god knows what behind it, and damp, and slaters everywhere, and cracks in the ceiling, and doors that swing the wrong way, and crappy old radiators...

I want double-glazing! Proper heating! Walls that aren't crumbly! Can you tell I'm keen to move?

Can you tell me what's nice about new houses...so I have some ammo to hit DH with when he turns his nose up?

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 19/04/2006 17:39

Slaters! Haven't heard that for ages!

(Bet you rofl at Christian Slater, right?)

Agree with you re houses though...they're cheaper to heat IMO (couldn't be much more breezy through this house unless I actually punched more holes in the wall!).

Freckle · 19/04/2006 17:40

I think it depends on the developer. I've been in some new houses where the windows rattle in the breeze, etc., and the garage won't fit the car unless it's a Dinky toy.

Horses for courses, really. I don't like modern houses either, but secretly admire them when visiting friends. They always look so clean and airy - but probably aren't any more so than my almost 100 yo house.

cece · 19/04/2006 17:41

Personally I only like individually designed new houses..... Would not like to live on one of those new house estates. Too close together for my liking and gardens too small... However;

Wired for new technology
Kitchen diners...
Enough plugs for all his stuff.
10 year guarantee
En suite bathroom
Energy efficient so cheaper bills??

GeorginaA · 19/04/2006 17:42

Minimal decorating, you get to just live in it without constantly worrying that xyz needs doing to it. Stuff that does get done is cosmetic that you want to do - decorating, etc.

Nicer bathroom/kitchen fittings without having to gut the place and start again.

Depends on the house/estate I know, but the one thing I really love about this one is that there are decent foot and cycle paths everywhere and there's a local excellent community centre/shops. I know that's technically not a new house thing, but planning now insists they have these sort of things now.

melissasmummy · 19/04/2006 17:43

In my new build flat the cupboards fell off the walls because they were too flimsy to hold them. We had used the proper fixings too.

Could hear EVEYTHING Blush the neieghbours got up to!

NEVER AGAIN!

Enid · 19/04/2006 17:45

we have the best of both worlds

old house with new extension - looks old but has double glazing (with wooden beading over so looks like old paned windows)

that double glazing is the bolleaux

Troutpout · 19/04/2006 18:21

I hanker after smooth walls...without 15 layers of wallpaper topped off with a fine layer of woodchip...that's where my lust lies

motherinferior · 19/04/2006 18:25

Tell him that research has shown that men who live in new build houses have more sex, on average (average v important here for spurious proof), than men in, say, 19th century houses.

Original poster
Pruni · 19/04/2006 18:42

Ah but MI, don't men in big fuck-off eighteenth century houses have a massive sex drive and tackle to match? Grin

(Or is that just my fantasy??)

(Oh god that reminds me of the erotic fiction website I came across based solely on Pride and Prejudice - sadly I think it is now defunct - it was wet-your-pants funny.)

(Before you wonder what I googled I think I was looking for a synopsis of the book - honest guv...)

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Original poster
Pruni · 19/04/2006 18:45

Aaah, smooth walls...

Doesn't it really rile you in a new house if you dent the plaster? Here, it would just be one dent in a galaxy of dents/polyfilla'd bits/stains/flaking paint/blutac marks etc.

My dream is to build my own house, a la Grand Designs (well, my dream and the dream of a million others). It was looking distinctly like a goer a year or so ago but DH bottled out. Poo.

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MissChief · 19/04/2006 18:51

on a bad hair day there's nothing like the darkness of a Victorian semi (and a carefully placed mirror) to make you feel you still look fantastic though..

cece · 19/04/2006 20:19

I have stayed in my friend's new build house and it is very noisy. It is detached but if someone is upstairs the noise downstairs as they move around is unbelievable.

GDG · 19/04/2006 20:24

No, no, no - you can't beat a nice, old, solid house. New houses have paper thin walls and are characterless. IMO anyway.

GDG · 19/04/2006 20:24

OH, except for NDPs which is gorgeous! But it's not like a typical new house. Dig, dig, dig...

Caligula · 19/04/2006 20:25

I think the only superior thing about them is the parking space and the light. The victorians built to keep out the light and it's a constant battle to get the light in.

bosscat · 19/04/2006 20:30

I have just arranged to view a new ish house and I live in an old one. It appeals to me because its down the road from here, there are only 4 houses in the cul de sac, they are spaced apart from each other. It has a beautiful landscaped garden, ensuites, and I am just sick and tired of all the work this house entails which I almost never get round to doing. I normally hate new houses and I might feel the same after viewing this, but some of them really are quite lovely and clean looking which after years in victorian houses is really appealing to me now. Might be because I'm back at work now and just want it all "done".

cupcakes · 19/04/2006 20:34

most new houses (that I've seen) have small kitchens. Would rather have character and put up with draughts. Agree that soundproofing is better too.

Caligula · 19/04/2006 20:35

Agree about the cleanliness. Just wonder if a new house would look so clean six months after I'd been living in it though.

ernest · 19/04/2006 20:37

depending on the new house, you could get a say in how it's built/finished. We were able to choose to the internal layout, as to how many bedrooms it had, size/shape of rooms, flooring, bathroom suite & fittings, kitchen etc. Opportunity of a lifetime to get a house that you want.

Our last house was victorian, in London, near Thames, rattling windows, crap insulation, rats........

cupcakes · 19/04/2006 20:37

I think it also depends on what kind of furniture you like. My friend likes countryish style furnishings but thinks they won't go in her new house so as has quite a modern look instead.

cupcakes · 19/04/2006 20:39

don't many new houses have small gardens?

roosmum · 19/04/2006 20:40

pruni, i think new builds are vile, yet we are currently living in our second one (well, it wasn't brand new, but ykwim). i'd happily trade my smooth(ish) walls for a house with history & character! for me, new = box to live in, nothing more.

plus, i'm sure they're not all like this, but our new build is rubbish quality (also draughty as hell, junk fittings, not a straight wall in the place etc etc), built on the cheap & it shows. if you're after a bespoke grand designs type place, then agree new = fab, otherwise they just make me grit my teeth. tbh i can't wait to get out of here & buy some old bricks!!

(so not very helpful, sorry! Wink)

Caligula · 19/04/2006 20:42

The grass is always greener...

cupcakes · 19/04/2006 20:44

At least you know with an old house it has (so far) stood the test of time.

Original poster
Pruni · 19/04/2006 20:45

DH and I have just had one of those irrational, stinging arguments about...double-glazing. I want it, he doesn't. I feel the cold horribly, he doesn't. I could cry just thinking baout yet another draughty, economically mad, environmentally shite house. Hmm.

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