Bringing up growing family in a flat - too much of a squeeze!

[goteam]

Live in zone 2, the most wonderful location. Great parks, schools, restaurants etc with everything such as swimming pools, galleries etc on doorstep. I don't ever want to leave. DP thinks you absolutely can't bring teenagers up in a small flat. We have 2 pre-schoolers and can't afford a house here. Would be looking at zone 4 or further for a house and not aparticularly attractive one at that. Out of London, something much grander...but I love living here.

Anyway, just after reassuring stories about older kids in flats. Kids have a bedroom each but one is tiny. Need positive stories!

You have 3 bedrooms and a small garden. Sounds fine to me. I think it's only because your DH grew up differently.

I'm in a flat in city centre (not London but almost as expensive nearby city) and we live it. Far rather be here than out in the burbs in a bungalow.

We are in Zone 1, though in a house. A generalisation but Europeans, Asians and Americans all seemed happy in flats. Only the British seemed to assume houses are the norm. And then obviously almost all local authority housing is flats.

It's worked out fine. Loads to do with toddlers, perhaps the years between 8 and 14 were a little more difficult as we did a lot of commuting for sport, but after that and armed with a travel card the kids could get anywhere. DS happily stayed in London for University, DDs preference was a city 'like London'. Neither ever showed any interest in living elsewhere.

(Not like a friend whose bedroom was in the under street vault of their basement flat in Pimlico who decided from an early age he wanted to be a farmer.)

I agree OP that is you already have three beds and outside space that is all you need.

If it seems your needs are different later you can always move then.

Seems to me this might be more about how you and your DH picture your life over the next 10-20 years. And that maybe he always planned to leave London / wants that kind of family life? Whereas you want to stay and have the buzz of being st the heart of one of the best cities in the world.

Both are good choices. Both would be great for your kids. You need to thrash out what you And you DH really want and find a workable compromise.

My advice to your Dp would be not to overthink the future. If you're happy now with space stay, if you aren't go. Who knows, you might earn a bit more in the future and be able to upgrade locally? Unless fundamentally your DP is keen on a change?

What is your budget btw? If you are looking at nearly a million there are clearly options between zone 2 and the outer suburbs.

We live in a flat, very centrally, though in Paris not London. It's lovely! But we do go away to the countryside pretty often - for us, not the DC!

We had our 3 bedroom semi extended when our dcs were 2, 4 and 6. Gave us an extra bedroom, bathroom, reception and bigger kitchen. The place seemed enormous - even with all their toys.

Once they hit their teens however, it seemed to shrink drastically! Instruments (cello, drums, piano) and sports kit (rugby gear and cricket bags) all need to go somewhere. Plus, they just all take up so much space and leave clothes, bags, shoes etc everywhere!

But I do see the appeal of living in zone 2.

I grew up in a city flat. I shared the room with my sister and although I d have like to have my own room I have very good memories. We just had to be more careful about not acumulating "stuff".
Your children dont even have to share!
Also now there is more choice on storage/furniture solutions .
I think that teenagers prefer cities, there is more choice, things to do, places to wonder to etc.
My OH was brought up in a small town and he used to get really bored in his teens/ early adulthood.
I'd love to live in London. (Maybe one day.....)

I don't understand questions like this. Are you looking for approval OP?

Your chidren are very lucky to have a bedroom each. They are exceedingly lucky to be living in such a wonderful part of London. You are very lucky that you love where you live and don't want to move.

What's the problem?

Mine are now 23, 25 and 14. We still live in a flat. It ain't perfect but it's home. Two are studying for university degrees, and one doing well at school. It can be crowded and frustrating at times, but we do ok!!!

Hi Wow, I made it very clear in the original post that I was looking to hear success stories from people in similar situations. Not sure which bit you don't understand.

stone I do worry about equipment. DP and I are both sporty and musical so imagine kids will be too.

crazy the thing is we don't want to move more than once more as I had an itinerant childhood and it's not great. A compromise will probably be further out in north London. Budget no more than £650k. A flat here (what ours is valued at) or a house further out.

mortgagefree yes, looking into storage solutions etc and making the most of small spaces.

dementedma good to hear!