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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:
Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 16:47

im off to make ds tea (hes just brought his bottle to me so he must be hungry, bad mum alert)

but will be back later to check and make my final decision live on Mnet!!!

OP posts:
tartanchatterbox · 09/05/2007 16:51

I grew up in Australia. My childhood was fab. Weather was great and sports opportunities meant that we grew up happy and healthy. People always ask "why do you want to live here?" "the kids would be better growing up in Australia..." etc etc. Makes me feel guilty... but I can't live there. It feels right here, and I am happy here. And my kids are happy here too.
I lived half an hour away in the middle of a field up until last December (2005). I thought my kids needed a rural upbringing, rural schools, country life for them to be happy.
I was wrong. The kids are happier in a bigger school. More friends, from all different backgrounds. More opportunities for sports, clubs and all within walking distance. More cheches, toddler groups, nurseries etc. And all within walking distance.
There is a lot to be said for living in the town centre

rabbleraiser · 09/05/2007 16:53

Hi! I live in flat much smaller than you describe, and it works well for me.

There's a huge advantage to flat-life that you might not have considered. Because you're all on the same floor, it's much easier to have an extended snooze in the mornings because you don't have that upstairs/downstairs bother. My ds just goes into the front room, turns CBeebies on, plays with toys, etc., and I can hear everything he does (in a sleepy kind of way) from the bedroom.

I should go for it ... the pros seem to outweigh the cons

AnAngelWithin · 09/05/2007 16:54

flat sounds great. i would go for it!!

Smurfs · 09/05/2007 16:57

Ok in preparation for the great decision....

Theatre
Waitrose
Library
Schools
Valley gardens
Beautiful Stray
Fab restaurants and bars
cinema
yummy shops especially the little independent foodie shops

....all walking distance

but downside

...if you decide to buy would you be able to tear yourself away from H/gate in a few years for somewhere else that would be better value for money?

MrsWho · 09/05/2007 20:18

Flat sounds great ,would you be able to do without the car full stop if you live in the centre?

I love Harrogate

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 20:25

No, we would need one as will still need to take DS to playschool, (in the town where we live now), he loves it so am not prepared to change it. Also for days out etc. We do a lot of family visiting at the weekend when not working. We will definately use the cars a lot less though and will probably get rid of my car, which I dan't want to do! Its a convertible! [ducks and waits for cod to slap me]

OP posts:
flipflopper · 09/05/2007 20:29

Hello me luv!
I think it sounds fabbo and you should def move!

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 20:31

Ive just been back to have a look at the area and there are two pubs on the street- one next door, although they are drinking pubs not flairs type things.

We will be on the 2nd and 3rd floor- do you think we will hear them? I'm not too bothered as I have tinnitus and 'noise ' is actually nice for me, and DP said we wouldn't be able to hear it.. but he has rose tinted specs on at the min...

OP posts:
Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 20:32

I was gonna ring you today, Flip, but have had a lot on as you can see!

What you doing tommorow?

Just imagine, afternoon tea at bettys and a stroll to valley gardens!

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flipflopper · 09/05/2007 20:37

Hope you dont think i was staliking you, just happened to be browsing!
Am off to the docs early doors !! But nothing else planned no1 is at school till 4 so could pop over if youre free?

btw the flat sounds lovely BUT are you sure sure sure you can do without garden?

pooka · 09/05/2007 20:37

Harrogate is great. I also liked Knaresborough, but that was pre-children. (When I was a student I had a couple of boyfriends originally from Knaresborough/Starbeck. Both went to King James's).
I don't think you're mad to be thinking about moving opposite the Stray. Makes a lot of sense in terms of the interior space/public parks.

Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 20:47

yeah no probs flip, but dont expect it to be tidy!

re the garden- for the amount of times we have sat out in it, its too much like hard work and I don't enjoy getting my hands mucky as much as you!

The interior space is much bigger than anything I've seen before for anything near the rental cost- I would say each room is at least 20' x 20'- but the kitchen is small and the laundry room is too. I keep thinking there must be some catch!

OP posts:
Original poster
Novacane · 09/05/2007 20:49

Oh and it will be excellent for going out into town and all crashing out there!

OP posts:
flipflopper · 09/05/2007 20:51

OK see you in the morning.
It sounds a lovely place. Laundry room- wow and the playroom will be great, and a dishwasher- fab.
Sounds just what you need.
x

flipflopper · 09/05/2007 20:52

And the pub next door! Handy!

Cloudhopper · 09/05/2007 20:55

We live in a flat with two children, and although we have a small garden, we spend very little time out there with the children because they seem to destroy everything in sight anyway.

I would definitely echo rabbleraiser's comments about the advantages of living in a flat - although yours sounds much better and bigger than ours! You can usually hear most things going on from any part of the flat, which saves a lot of chasing and checking on toddlers.

We have big rooms too, a result of being part of a grander house than we would ever afford the whole of.

I would give some thought to how much stuff you will regularly need to carry up and down the stairs, but the location trumps it for me - sounds great.

1dilemma · 09/05/2007 20:59

With children I would normally say think v.carefully about this but the flat sounds really fabby, seems like pros way outweigh cons and if you are not planning on having another and won't have too long left to lug the pushchair up all those stairs...
I guess the cons are as people have said potentially needs a lot of heating in winter and hot in Summer if on top floor, stairs and poss pub noise but you seem well able to cope with all of them
Enjoy your new place

Original poster
Novacane · 11/05/2007 00:21

Well I took theh cheque round so I suppose thats it, we really are moving!

Im already over anxious thinking OMG what have we done, no parking etc etc, and up loads of stairs etc... and the biggest thing I am worried about is ifmy DS doesn't like it! But my dear friend (flipflopper) came to see the flat today and said to me 'DS is a child, he doesn't have a say in this' I know she's right, he will love all the extra space and playing room. I have promised that he can set up his pirate ship thing (a pressie he got for xmas with FAR too many parts and is far to old for him) as he has been nagging me to do it for precisely 5 months now! Hopefully that should get him excited!

It's just the thought of getting rid of the rubbish and packing i suppose... I should be excited but i'm not and that worries me somewhat....

But, as my family are always telling me.... JUST DO IT!

I could worry myself to death me....

OP posts:
hippipotami · 11/05/2007 07:49

It sounds FANTASTIC, well done and congratulations. From your description I found myself thinking 'I want to live there!!' Got room for a not so little hippo?

Enjoy, when are you moving?

tartanchatterbox · 11/05/2007 15:28

Congrats! You must let us all know whether it works out for you. Interesting though all our comments are/ I do wonder if you had fallen in love with the idea before mumsnetters came into the equation!

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