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Original poster

Would you do it? (move from a house to a flat with a toddler)

46 replies

Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:06

OK quick pros and cons list- we currently live in a 3 bed semi in a residential area in a smallish town. We're pissed off with the landlord (number of reasons including not having a gas safety certificate and no fire alarms) and have nosey old neighbours.

We've seen a flat right in the middle of harrogate (west park), and what I want to know is... ARE WE MAD FOR THINKING ABOUT IT?

Pros

The flat is massive- on two floors, and one room could be used as a massive playroom/computer/study room. everything is BIG it a grand old place with a massive stairway etc

Gorgeous Kitchen from habitat, DISHWASHER!!!

A laundry room! with cupboards and a hanging rail and everything

its all inclusive of bills, council tax and rates etc. (1000pcm)

Gorgeous big bathroom and two big bedrooms.

it is across the road from the stray (common land) and a short walk from valley gardens, a short walk into town and a short stumble home on a evening! no more taxis!!

near DP's work so we could probably get rid of a car.

near my work, although wouold still need to drive due to my finishing hours and safety etc.

Cons

no parking (although could negotiate with pub around the back for a space)

no phone line in yet so would have to organise and pay for that

am I mad for thinking of moving back into the town centre with a toddler? I am being selfish?

What would you do?

OP posts:
Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:07

...aaargh...so excited someone else in Harrogate!....will read your post and come back!

belgo · 09/05/2007 16:08

The flat sounds great.

mumto3girls · 09/05/2007 16:08

I'd move

Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:09

...what about buying? ours is for sale

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:11

i'd love to smurfs, but we have no where near enough deposit saved up to start with a mortgage yet!

OP posts:
hippmummy · 09/05/2007 16:11

Pros definitely outweigh the cons. Go for it!

Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:12

...have calmed down now! Sounds fab however what if you wanted/had more children would there be enough space? or is it a shorter-term option?

slimmerjim · 09/05/2007 16:13

I don't know Harrogate but from your description of your locality and the flat itself...I'd say go for it. I'm inferring you're renting so it needn't be longterm if you find it doesn't suit. With 2 floors you'll feel it's quite housey anyway I'd have thought.

Just one thing; is there ANY outside space for your toddler ? You might miss, in spite of the common across the road, the ability to let him/her play outside while you're busy mumsnetting oops doing little chores inside.

suzycreamcheese · 09/05/2007 16:14

i'm thinking ....whats stopping you?
the flat sounds lovely and my ds loves city life..lots of parks...pre schools etc..cafes..library near at hand...
you sound active and thats all that matters..

i truly miss my garden but this flat / area is miles better than where we were when ds a baby..i do want garden but am thinking about allotment in meantime...

suzycreamcheese · 09/05/2007 16:17

hey, and anything you save on not having car stick aside for deposit if you can...

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:18

well probably a mid term option (3 years or so) till we have saved for a mortgage (although living in harrogate limits your ability to save with rental prices etc)
No plans for anymore kiddies, can just about cope with the one ive got! And if it did happen it could always live in the laundry room lol

I forgot anothe con though.. it has a big stairway with a landding with only a banister spindles.. ds couldnt get through them but im just imagining him trying to be spiderman and......[shudders]
we would have to have a gate across the bottom of stairs and one across his room an just keep an eye on him upstairs when he is set free! although his is 3, i may be being a bit overcatious!

OP posts:
tartanchatterbox · 09/05/2007 16:19

I think you are really looking at it from a realistic perspective. Is it going to be the last move you ever make? You could always move again if it doesn't work out. I
n the meantime you are saving a fortune on a car and saving the environment. Somebody else mows the grass. A 3 yr old needs supervision in the garden anyway, then he/she is off to school and gets to run around at friends houses.
With the weather in the UK investing in a playroom is probably better than a garden!
Your sanity being close to everything is paramount for the sake of your child anyway!
A laundry room is fabulous to have.
Big old places cost a third more to heat due to the height though and they are not energy efficient! But the offset of it is you are recycling old housing stock!

Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:21

West Park is fantastic and those flats/houses are sooo beautiful...imagine sunny summer afternoons on the Stray, picnic lunch and a stroll into one of the bars after DC is asleep and being looked after by adoring babysitter oooh and the Stray with all the lights on in the run up to Christmas...you would probably be able to see it from the flat and it does look very pretty...personally Harrogate in Winter is my favourite!! I would give it a whirl if it doesn't float your boat you could always find an alternative later.

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:24

we spend a lot of time in harrogate anyway and have always wanted to move back there- we lived there before we had DS and decided to move to be grown up and residential and to be honest we have hated it!

No, there is not anywhere from him to play outside, another co i suppose, but what would be the playroom will be big enough to put his slide and trampoline in no probs.

OP posts:
Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:28

thankyou tartan you have raised some really good points...esp about the car and saving the environment- we would use probably about 30 quid a week less petrol.

OP posts:
Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:28

....thinking ahead for your DC, schools are great in Harrogate and one is very local to you there....if I have got the right bit, the one near the library. Have a dear friend whos DD started there this year and adores it.

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:29

Smurfs you've sold it to me!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:31

re the schools, yes thats the main reason we want to stay in harrogate (we live in knaresborough now), we have looked at buying in otley, north bradford etc so we could afford it, but would rather rent for a good while so he can go to school here.. I'm from the area anyway and am disgusted that i can't afford a property here... but thats another really long rant that i won't go into.....

OP posts:
Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:33

..oh flip poor DC will be starving will think of more reasons and be back later!

NomDePlume · 09/05/2007 16:35

flat sounds good. We moved from the 'burbs to be much closer to the city centre and it is great. Admittedly from a biggish house to a bigger house so the house>flat thing I can't comment on, but from your description of the flat, it sounds bigger than your current place anyway, the only thing you'd lose is private outside space.

FeelingOldnGrey · 09/05/2007 16:38

It sounds wonderful, do it

FeelingOldnGrey · 09/05/2007 16:38

It sounds wonderful, do it

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:42

yes NDP, re the outside space, but am not so bothered about that as both DP and I work hard and can't keep up with the garden here properly. Think we would ratherbe doing other things than gardening.

I suppose there is just something in my conscience saying its wrong as I grew up in a rural area, but i would be a lot happier if I could just pop to M&S for the tea!!!
lol

OP posts:
tartanchatterbox · 09/05/2007 16:43

At the moment property prices are really high aren't they? Means you could look around for another area while you live in one you really like. Schools are nice, Harrogate is lovely, all year round.
i've just thought of another one, I bet the stairs are shallower and safer! .Unless it's an attic conversion.

BandofMothers · 09/05/2007 16:46

Wow that flat sounds nice.