Hi all,
I'm new to netmums, new to London from the US (about 3 weeks ago) and about to become a mum for the 1st time in 5 weeks! I wanted to ask for the opinion of mums in London about choosing a flat and I'd be grateful for any views you have to share.
We're down to the wire on finding a flat to live in and are choosing betwn 2 flats- one I love for the spaciousness and the fact it has a garden and is located on a pretty square, but am not so happy about the neighborhood- busier streets to cross, a little louder and has some "anti-social" youth culture around.
The other flat is in a lovely, tranquil area right by a great park for mums, but it's a lot smaller of flat, closed-in kitchen, ceilings lower bec. it's a garden level, and feels slightly claustrophobic to me (though there are good windows). However it has a nice private garden too.
My question is: in the 1st year w/new baby, which would be more important to you- the neighborhood around where you live or the actual flat itself? I suspect you'd spend a lot of time inside the 1st year (plus there's the weather issue here)! But hubby thinks the opposite and says the neighborhood might be more important for the times that I am able/ want to take strolls, go to a park and meet mums, etc.
Any mums who've been there care to lend advice? Thanks so much!