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Original poster

2 bed house or 3 bed flat?

43 replies

threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 11:29

Would you rather a "cosy" (small but nice!) 2 bed house with a garden, or 3 bed flat with much more space but no garden?

Got 1 DC (3) and planning another.

I would like to have an extra room we could rent out. But also feel outdoor space would be great for DC.

(Not totally against the idea of moving again in a few years.)

WWYD?

OP posts:
iseenodust · 10/05/2012 11:35

House every time with kids. some will say parks are fine as a substitute but IMO you hover more. Chuck them in the garden with friends and let them get on with it while you -faff on mumsnet-- tick off your to do list.

kitsmummy · 10/05/2012 11:51

House definitely - I'd rather the kids shared a bedroom than have no outdoor space where you could just supervise from the kitchen.

Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 11:58

That's what I feel too. 3 bed flat makes better financial sense, but a garden's priceless, isn't it?

Mind you might be worth mentioning it won't be a massive garden! If we're lucky a small bit of grass / patio area and maybe a shed!

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Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 11:59

Like this for example

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noddyholder · 10/05/2012 12:00

I have one ds who is 18 now and have lived in both. Tbh we never needed teh garden much apart from for cats and the big flats e have had were better to live in and a lot grander! I just sold my house and am looking for a flat again

Ambrosius · 10/05/2012 12:04

We had a similar quandry, we went for the house. Its poky but I love it already and we haven't even moved in! I can just see ds running around in the garden and dp and ds doing their little veg patch together. When all the redecorating is done and the kitchen and bathroom are finished (we're in the middle of doing the place up) its going to be beautiful!

bananasarebeautiful · 10/05/2012 12:23

I think if the garden was just a patio with shed I would go for the flat with an extra bedroom.

kitsmummy · 10/05/2012 12:28

I'd still go for the house/garden - plenty of room for bbq, table & chairs and wine outside, little lawn etc. I really couldn't contemplate living somewhere without my own outside space, no matter how small.

minipie · 10/05/2012 13:12

House definitely:

  1. IME houses tend to keep their value more in a falling market and raise their value more in a rising market.

  2. With a flat, you may have to deal with a freeholder/managing agent if you have a flat (unless you can find share of freehold, and even then you have the hassle of dealing with the other flat owner). This is a total pain, and can be expensive.

  3. With a house you have control over any alterations/extensions etc. With a flat you need the freeholder's permission.

  4. Garden is really valuable. Not just for DS but also you may want a pet at some point? (That garden is smallish yes but still bigger than many I have seen in London attached to £1m+ houses!)

  5. I know you could get a flat now then a house later, but once you've got your place sorted and have 2 DCs you won't want to move unless you really have to...

By the way - in the example you've linked to, the bathroom seems really big - I reckon it would be perfectly possible to make one of the bedrooms bigger by stealing some space from the bathroom. Plus might there be any chance of a loft conversion in due course?

smalltown · 10/05/2012 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

noddyholder · 10/05/2012 13:39

I have always been teh freeholder of any flat to be fair and have extended all of them

Rhubarbgarden · 10/05/2012 13:44

House and garden without a shadow of a doubt. Outside space, no matter how small, is so valuable for kids. And like others have said you have more control when it comes to fixing roofs etc.

girlgonemild · 10/05/2012 15:39

I live in a gorgeous flat with 2yr old DS and one on the way. I love it, but we are looking to move to a house with garden because we really do need some private and directly accessible outside running around space as DS gets bigger.

Also with flats you can't extend and have service charges to pay etc. usually. I much prefer the independence of a house and you may well be able to add an attic room or extend the back at somepoint...

That house looks small but cute and good for young family, I'd go for that over flat!

cestlavielife · 10/05/2012 15:46

house with garden definitely with more than one dc it is so much easier to have room outside to put a small sandpit/water play etc

Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 15:54

"With a flat, you may have to deal with a freeholder/managing agent if you have a flat (unless you can find share of freehold, and even then you have the hassle of dealing with the other flat owner). This is a total pain, and can be expensive"

Sadly I'm well experienced with how much a PITA this can be and would be delighted to not have to deal with it any more!

This is another reason a house appeals to me. The extra space would be great though.

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Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 15:57

Here's an example of a 3 bed flat for £4k more than house I linked to before

It may not look it from the style of the building, but it's in a more sought after part of town (right on the edge of the Old Town, near the outstanding school that there's loads of competition to get your DCs into).

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Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 16:00

a-ha! A new question.

2 bed house or 3 bed flat with garden too in a nice bit of town.

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Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 16:01

Thanks for your help everyone, it's helping me work through what's most important.

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minipie · 10/05/2012 18:19

But, but, the flat is on the first floor, so you can't get directly to the garden, which really reduces the amount of times you'll use it

And also means you'll have to lug a buggy up and down stairs.

I still say house. If you need more space in the house you can put a shed/wendy house/small lean to conservatory in the garden. And there's storage in the attic. A house does come with more "non floor plan" space and more options iyswim.

Katz · 10/05/2012 18:26

did you see this one 4 beds! but i have no idea on the area www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-30064981.html

Rhubarbgarden · 10/05/2012 19:31

Minipie is right. You need free-flow to the garden. My friend is moving from a lovely spacious flat with big garden for this very reason.

Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 20:11

Hey Katz, I have seen that one. It's been on for months now, I wonder if they'd take an offer ...

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Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 20:11

We're about 3 weeks off being able to start actually viewing btw.

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Original poster
threeleftfeet · 10/05/2012 20:12

minipie and Katz, good point!

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MadameChinLegs · 10/05/2012 20:15

OP the house you first linked is lovely! Is it one you are considering?

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