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Original poster

Would you consider moving into a flat rather than a house?

119 replies

frolicmum · 26/11/2020 08:17

We've been looking around for a while and given that we have number 2 on the way, our budget does not stretch further than 650k and I found this flat rather than a house. I adore it. Pictures for our house will be taken next Tuesday and it will then hit the market. The estimate is 475k.

Area: Bromley/ Eltham / Orpington

What do you think about this flat and what are the downsides of buying a large flat rather than a house?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85501792

OP posts:
paganbilly · 26/11/2020 08:21

No, I hate flats because of neighbours, no garden and often no parking,

paganbilly · 26/11/2020 08:22

That said that one does look lovely.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 26/11/2020 08:26

Why would you buy a flat for that budget (I live in Bromley).

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/98309498#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/73461747#/

Foghead · 26/11/2020 08:27

With 2 dc, a garden is so useful. This year, I’m so thankful we have a decent size garden for dc to play in and for me and dh to sit and relax in.
Having a bbq just for us from time to time, sitting out side and looking out for meteors and stargazing at night with the dcs are some little things that we’ve enjoyed.
Of course it isn’t necessary, but given a choice, I would always choose a house with a garden.

Brenna24 · 26/11/2020 08:27

We are due to move into a much smaller version of the same thing when we were looking for a house. Downsides are sharing upkeep, shared access areas with someone else, potentially sound carrying. The sound can carry in a semi detached or terraced too though. Slightly less.of a worry in your case (and ours) since the bedrooms are isolated from the other flat by your living area.

milienhaus · 26/11/2020 08:28

Looks really nice! I would live in a flat as long as it had a garden (preferably that you access straight from the flat - not sure how that works from the pictures though).

Finfintytint · 26/11/2020 08:31

The details mention private garden and two garages so I’d consider it. It’s lovely.

steppemum · 26/11/2020 08:31

It looks beautiful, but it is 1st and 2nd floor in a building which obviously has 4 floors.

So i woudl question - does that mean you have an upstairs and downstairs neighbour?
How is the noise from one flat to another?
It says you have a private garden, how does that work - stairs down to garden(rubbish with small children)
I would always want a garden with kids and not one which is down a staircase, as that means they can't potter in and out.
Also, how is the garden divided, or do you have all of it?

minipie · 26/11/2020 08:33

Downsides:

No direct access to the garden (this is a big downside IMO if you have small kids) in upper flats. Noise from above in lower flats.

Leasehold: Freeholder is in charge of building repairs, so can decide that eg the front needs redecorating and will pass on cost to you. And they won’t necessarily shop around for cheapest quotes. Conversely if you have a problem with eg the roof the freeholder may be slow to fix it if they think the other flat won’t pay their share. Is this one Leasehold or share of freehold?

Harder to sell, if it’s a “house sized” flat.

Terriblecreature · 26/11/2020 08:33

About 3. 5 years ago we purchased an old large flat. Then I got pregnant and have a 20 month old with another on the way. We are on the top floor so the stairs are challenging. For us the only downside is the garden. It's shared with quite a few and I never feel comfortable going out there. Apart from that I love the high ceilings and old features. We can't afford a house of the same caliber but we will need to move in a few years, probably to a new build which I imagine will feel so small and cramped compared to where we are now but it would be better for the kids.

ivfbeenbusy · 26/11/2020 08:34

Yeah it looks lovely but it's still a flat.

With 2 kids no way would I trade a house for a flat

If anything at your age you should be looking to trade Up in houses ie flat to terrace to semi detached to detached

Going from a house to a flat is a step back in my view

LemonsYellow · 26/11/2020 08:37

I would consider a flat and not a house. That flat has a garden and garage, which are plus points.
Negative points - I’d be concerned about leasehold, length of lease, service charges, freeholder, large bills that you have no control of.

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 26/11/2020 08:38

No way would I choose a flat. Leasehold too!

user1471538283 · 26/11/2020 08:41

I will never live in a house again! This flat does look lovely but I think with children you need ground floor to access the outside. You can soundproof rooms if your neighbours are noisy and having a house is no guarantee of less noisy. Modern flats are soundproofed and insulated so that might be an option?

Justpassingtime1 · 26/11/2020 08:43

Houses tend to go up more in value over time as they are freehold.
With freehold you have more control. If you have a share of the freehold
you are in a slightly better position than complete leasehold.
Is the flat likely to be easy to sell on? What is the market for flats
in that area?

StickTheKettleOnAlice · 26/11/2020 08:45

That flat looks just like a house and bigger than alot of houses too with garden etc so it's not your average flat. Leasehold I I wouldn't do though.

Oly4 · 26/11/2020 08:45

No due to upkeep costs and houses are better for kids.
It’s lovely but I’d rather live in a smaller house

LemonsYellow · 26/11/2020 08:47

If you had a share of freehold, that would make a big difference.

A friend of mine moved from a house to a flat - in a grand period building - with children, and was very happy with it. It’s not a downward move at all, as someone suggested.

I too am looking to move from a house to a flat. Houses can be a pain in the backside with ongoing expensive maintenance, all of which you as owner are responsible for.

IntoP20 · 26/11/2020 08:50

I would never never choose a leasehold flat with children, regardless of how lovely it is. You need to think about the practicalities - noise, stairs, parking, garden access.

movingonup20 · 26/11/2020 08:50

That's a crazy amount for a flat! Think about how you will outgrow it as dc get older. Do you really need to be in se London/Kent? That will buy a lovely detached house elsewhere in commuting distance of central London

Newuser991 · 26/11/2020 08:52

One word

Leasehold

Don't buy Leasehold if you can buy freehold

Didiusfalco · 26/11/2020 08:54

I see why you love it, it’s very characterful. The things that would put me off are neighbours above and below, leasehold and lack of direct access to the garden. It seems like you can get a decent house for a similar price so I would do that.

angelopal · 26/11/2020 08:55

Looking at the floor plan the only bathroom upstairs is an ensuite. That alone would put me off. Kids will either be up and down the stairs if need a wee during the night or be in and of your room.

Sadhoot · 26/11/2020 08:56

It's not really a flat though, is it? I think of flats as everything on one floor. This is a house with neighbours on top of you and under you.

It's beautiful but I'm not sure if I would do it. Especially for that price, so far out of London.

gg12346 · 26/11/2020 08:57

I think you will need more space with 2 kids , buy a house instead

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