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Original poster

Join me in my Belgravia fantasy! Restrained property porn

51 replies

FollyFaunts · 27/08/2015 11:33

So I live in Herts in a family house which would sell for around £750K give or take. No mortgage. In my dreams the DCs have all left home and are self-sufficient Hmm and DH has magically disappeared Hmm Hmm

I now have the chance to fulfil my dream of returning to single life in London, last experienced in Zone 2 in the 90's, pre-DCs.

This time however as a somewhat more mature lady, obviously with delusions of grandeur and also leaning towards the eccentric, I have set my sights on Zone 1.

What do you make of this property? only 3 years left on the lease but don't they always get renegotiated?

[www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52235213.html]

What would you do and where would you go?

OP posts:
kickassangel · 30/08/2015 12:19

This is my dream too. I love the idea of a central flat, with full concierge services, cleaners etc. So, basically, like living in a hotel, but feels like my own home. With everything just outside the door, so I can wander out for breakfast/coffee/play/whatever.

Just of covent Garden appeals to me. I suspect that there are areas of London full of ladies of a certain age.

(I'd let DH live there. He could have his own room and only come out when I wanted someone to chat to)

Original poster
FollyFaunts · 30/08/2015 14:41

Jackie -to get a 1 bed flat with a decent kitchen would probs push it out of price range.my aim would certainly be to eat out all the time! Lifestyle described by kickass is the idea except for the allowing DH to live there part

waterwitch- Gloucester Terrace not so much. North of the Park, I think not! What do you take me for? Grin Preferred postcodes: SW1, SW3, (some of SW5), SW7, W1, W8.
But I'm liking the notion of somewhere by the sea as well - didn't think that would be possible! DH can live there, I'm sure he likes Fowey.

The studio in Carrington Street is interesting, not least because I used to work in that street in the 80's. there was always a NCP carpark just at the bottom. Just off Shepherd Market. Is Shepherd Market still a red light area I wonder. Nice and handy for the Curzon cinema

OP posts:
kickassangel · 30/08/2015 15:43

You see, I could only afford this if DH had somewhere to live. He is also into things like cinema/theatre, so could be a good companion. If I let him have his own room, and fitted it out with computer geeky gadgets, he would rarely emerge. He'd have to have his own bathroom as well, I'm not dealing with man farts in my little utopia.

I wouldn't want a 2nd home, too much hassle. I'd want enough income, and a garage under the flats, that I could hop in my little 2 seater convertible for weekends by the coast, or I'd be able to get the train up to Scotland for bracing walks.

kickassangel · 30/08/2015 15:45

OK, DH would have to evaporate

I'd also want a super fluffy long haired white cat.

wickedwaterwitch · 30/08/2015 17:03

Ah, I used to live in Gloucester Terrace so have a fondness for it Smile

I like the Westminster flat but no, it's not suitable for 2

JuanPotatoTwo · 30/08/2015 18:12

The Marsham Street one is lovely. I like this one a lot too but the only problem is it has 5 bedrooms - but I figure I can lie and claim it only has 1.

www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-28785453.html

united4ever · 30/08/2015 21:56

To op, sounds like you could definitely do it when the kids have grown up and you can downsize to zone 1 London. Does your DH not share your dream?

Original poster
FollyFaunts · 31/08/2015 11:05

united4ever - DH sort of shares the dream but also harbours longings for the countryside. I could probably persuade him but not sure how I could cope with him in a one bedder.

DCs are nearly all at uni ..... trouble is, what with the property market being how it is, I can imagine that by the time they are grown up, our family house will no longer be the equivalent £££-wise for ANYTHING in Central London! What with crossrail imminent, London may well take off again.... Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
FollyFaunts · 31/08/2015 11:10

perhaps I could shove DH up here?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49750267.html

OP posts:
beaglesaresweet · 01/09/2015 00:39

OP you style is priceless, I'm so enjoying the thread!

Is anyone surprised at belgravia's flat decor? half of the area is decorated in Middle Eastern taste, many of the houses/flats being occupied by a month in a year by the owner. I want OP to move in to bring back some (dying out) taste to the area! true though, not much community but then you have the whole of London to mix in within a short tube trip or a walk!

beaglesaresweet · 01/09/2015 00:41

Personally I'd go for a garden square if it was a small flat - gives the illusion of space when looking out of the window! and a touch of greenery/nature (and ahem.. lots of dirty foxes) so it'll be chelsea or south ken for me!

beaglesaresweet · 01/09/2015 00:42

for a month (not 'by)

beaglesaresweet · 01/09/2015 00:56

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52622855.html

this would do in w8 as I think 750K is stretching it for even a small 1-bed in a garden sq in chelsea (oh how things moved on)! (close to a great little Greek cafe/deli too)

I wouldn't go into a studio personally, unless I had a country house to escape to very regularly Grin.

kickassangel · 01/09/2015 04:18

yep, very nice, especially the garden. Although I dread to think how much the monthly fee is for contributing to said garden.

wickedwaterwitch · 01/09/2015 13:23

Oh I love that Kensington one, it;s a proper ladyflat!

JuanPotatoTwo · 01/09/2015 17:09

Oh yes, I like beagle's link too. We'll all have to either take turns living there or fight each other for it :)

beaglesaresweet · 01/09/2015 18:49

ooh yes, let's take turns! I'd agree even for 3 days a week. It's a ladyflat, yes wicked. None of the ott stuff, though I'd add a couple of brighter touches. The Garden is great! the maintenance for that isn't too bad as so many flats share, but service charges for the building are not going to be low, oh no (I do hope there's no lift!).

beaglesaresweet · 01/09/2015 18:53

just noticed, there IS a lift - otoh useful as it's the 2d floor. Nice balcony too, isn't it!

kickassangel · 01/09/2015 22:51

We could club together and have it as a time share. For a few weeks a year we could live the dream. Those of us with DC/DP/DH could claim an important work training event, or family crisis, and head out on our own.

Original poster
FollyFaunts · 02/09/2015 13:31

That Kensington one hits the spot, Beagle Flowers

I'm in for the timeshare!

I propose sending all DPs HERE

What's not to like?

OP posts:
wickedwaterwitch · 02/09/2015 20:09

Lol at sending all the men to the chip shop!

Stillunexpected · 02/09/2015 20:31

The London kitchens are all awful.
Do people eat out all the time?

To be fair, these are all studios or 1-bed apartments so the kitchens are appropriate to the overall amount of space. I was going to say that most of these flats are occupied by single people or perhaps a couple who are working so only want to cook simple, easy food when they get home or who eat out a lot. After all, there's no point in whipping up a three-course gourmet meal if you have to squash a few guests into your small living space and have them balance their plates on their knees.

Having said that, I just noticed that the bedroom in the Gloucester Terrace bedroom appears to be occupied by two children. Where are the parents sleeping?!

Original poster
FollyFaunts · 02/09/2015 20:37

It's not just any chip shop - it's a chip shop in the Outer Hebrides Wink

OP posts:
GrannyAch1ng · 02/09/2015 20:42

I'd have about 135k and there are a couple of seaside towns in my county where I could get a bungalow for that. I'd spend my days sat in those covered bench things, reading or staring at the sea waiting for my current crush to show up in his sail boat and sweep me away.

beaglesaresweet · 03/09/2015 00:13

Folly, hilarious re sending them to outer hebrides! maybe they'll become all spiritual there in the barren land while we become all self-indulgent, materially and culturally.

Another option, OP, you buy the flat as I can't afford even if i sell the house and then rent to us on timeshare basis while staying there yourself on weekends or monthly! I currently do a similar timeshare in Lon but not a favourite area and the flat is in modern block - a nice hilltop view but that's it.. and it's coming to an end! Your thread reminded me what I REALLY want Grin.