Our narrative at home has always been that we need to move out of our flat to a house once the kids are a few years from secondary school for more space. That time is kind of now. We are in zone 2 near lovely parks, swimming pools, theatres, quick bus into central London and lots of other amenities. We just can't decide on an area of north London we like enough and can afford (900k max) and just love our current location so much.
Anyone have positive stories about bringing older kids up in flats? The kids were sharing a bedroom but we have rearranged so our small reception room is now bedroom 3 and the kitchen diner which is quite big has become our living room too. We don't feel cramped though and have clever storage and beginning to think is it worth the upheaval of moving schools etc for an extra bedroom and a bit more living space?! We want an extra bedroom mainly so friends and family can stay but that's all we need it for really. We would downsize again if we did move once the kids leave home.
We have a garden and over lockdown we spent a lot of time in there putting new decking down and in the summer it really is like having an extra room.
I think we are beginning to doubt whether we actually want to move! I know many people live in high rises etc and apartment living is just how it is for many but I guess the thing is we have a choice here. We could move to zone 4 or 5 and get a nice house but be in the suburbs really without the which we aren't sure we want! In an ideal world we would be able to afford a house here but they are 1.2 million for 3 bedroom terraces which don't actually provide much more space....1.3 million for 4 bedrooms...
We felt a bit cramped and on top of each other over lockdown but now things are a bit more normal we are often out and about and home is more of a base which is what has always kept us here.
Any thoughts and positive stories welcome!