Townhouse - Yes or No?

[Simplelifecoming]

I'm looking for my first home as a single (divorced) person after nearly 30 years of marriage. I'm looking for at least 3 bedrooms as I have two DCs at university who need somewhere as a base outside term time. I've looked at a few houses and been outbid on one but a townhouse has caught my eye.

I've never lived in a townhouse before so it would be great to hear other people's experiences. This one has a kitchen/diner, utility room and WC on the ground floor, living room, study and bedroom on the first floor and 3 other bedrooms (master with en-suite) and bathroom on the top floor. It has a carport, garage and nice sized garden.

It's on a development that is about 20 years old and has the usual narrow streets but the location is good for my work and for walking to the nearby town centre and it seems quiet and peaceful.

Am I being terribly naïve? I've been living in a detached house so being sandwiched between two other houses is a concern, as is the many stairs.

Any pros and cons of town house living would be really welcome.

Well I saw it again today and still liked it but I'm not sure what to do. I think I'm a bit overwhelmed by the whole divorce/find a place to live thing and it's making me freeze up.

It has a lot going for it and the owners are willing to move out as soon as the conveyancing can be done and there would be no chain.

@k1233 I did imagine where I would put things and I've even planned an extension to the kitchen in my head, to make a big open plan kitchen and family room.

I'll sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning but thanks for all the help and encouragement, to all of you.

@Simplelifecoming these are big decisions and it's hard to make them on your own when you're used to function as a couple. It takes time to learn to trust your own instincts but every time you do it you get better at it. I was struggling very much when I was moving too but six months on and life is good. Not completely sorted yet, I have bad days for sure, but most days are enjoyable in a peaceful, tranquil way. You'll get there too if you just trust your own internal compass and keep going towards your better future, one step at a time.

Thanks for your kind words @SecretOfChange, it does feel like my compass is broken at the moment and some days it's all I can do to put one foot in front of the other.

I know I'll get there, I'll just be happy to have somewhere to move to as completion date on my current house is coming up fast. Maybe I'll concentrate on rentals and give myself some space.

I live in a old Weavers Cottage on 3 floors.

Kitchen, utility, lounge/diner all on the ground and open plan (apart from utility) the 1st floor is all lounge and the top floor is 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. 1/3 of the top floor hangs over next doors bedrooms!

Soon got used to the stairs. There's a doorbell which rings in the middle, window cleaners use a long arm reach system which I was sceptical about but it's fine.

I can't think of any other drawbacks.

I previously lived in a semi so was used to neighbours.

DPIL bought a townhouse a few years ago and are very happy there. The only thing they're experiencing that they don't like is how hot the bedrooms are on the top floor. I don't know if this is the same with all townhouses, or whether theirs is poorly insulated or has a roofline which lends itself to this, or what, but the rooms really are uncomfortably hot, and they're looking to put in air conditioning as having the windows open isn't making much difference.

Interesting @WellTidy, a few people have mentioned hot bedrooms on the top floor.

I've always fancied one of those Dyson fans, maybe I'd have an excuse to get one

It sounds fantastic, and like it could really be ideal for you.

Divorce is hard. But you’ve got all the resources you need within yourself. You really have.

I hope you get the house. I love townhouses.

They have a Dyson fan. It doesn't touch the sides, apparently. We also have a Dyson fan, and I think it is great!

My family home was a townhouse and for the majority of time it was fine. We all had our own space. However in later life it was tough for my parents with all the stairs. They reluctantly moved to a bungalow in their mid 70s but the truth is they shouldchave moved earlier.

I absolutely understand how you feel. It’s so hard to have to suddenly start making those big decisions on your own. Is there anyone that you could take with you on a second viewing?

Third viewing either!

Well I took a deep breath and made an offer - which was rejected.

Then I made another - which was accepted

I'm slightly in shock at my own bravery and it will mean that I will be between homes for a few weeks but I'll start on the practicalities tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support. I weighed it all up (including the stairs) and decided that for the next 5 years or so at least it will suit me very well.

New life as a townhouse dweller here I come!

Well done and congratulations, I was coming on to say, I know several friends in town houses and they are really happy in them.

That’s fantastic, congratulations!

Feel free to shout your if you need any help or need to vent about the buying process. I’ve only been in my house for 3 months so it’s all fresh in my mind 😁.

Congratulations - well done! Great new chapter ahead! :)

Congratulations, you will love it!

So glad that you came to a decision. My town house has loo, kitchen diner and living room on the ground floor. Three double bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. One is a guest bedroom, one an office with a sofa bed and the other a music room with a single bed. Top floor is a massive bedroom with en suite. It has double aspect windows so doesn't get too hot. It gives us and guests privacy as we each have our own floor. My dad moved from a flat to a townhouse when he was 86 and lived it. Good luck with your move.

Congratulations!

We have been in our townhouse for 15 years. We had been expecting to downsize when DCs started to leave home. Instead we extended on the ground floor!

Upsides for us have been the flexibility. Being reasonably modern we have been able to adapt the space without coming up against mystery blocked up fireplaces or inconvenient loadbearing walls.

The original first floor sitting room is now split in two to give a dressing room off our bedroom and my office. The top floor is two double bedrooms plus a small room used as a snug to give chillout space for visiting DCs.

Only downside is how warm the top floor bedrooms get.

Thanks again all, it's so nice to hear that people adapt the rooms to suit their changing needs, I suppose that's the beauty of having lots of space.

I've started to put things in motion on the legal and mortgage fronts so assuming that the sale of my current house exchanges as planned it will be full speed ahead to a new life.

I've noticed that townhouses (at least in my area) stay on RightMove for a long time

They seem rather niche and I think the thought of struggling to sell it on would be enough for me to say no

@Simplelifecoming congratulations!

I’ve done the whole “start again after divorce” things can be daunting and it feels so massive having to make big decisions on your own. But this is a good move and exciting too. I can still remember the feeling of owning my own home ☺️