Please talk me out of buying this beautiful apartment

[Nstarr]

Myself, partner, plus 2 under 2. Kids need a garden right? So please talk us out of buying this absolutely stunning apartment.

-new build with loads of character and history.
-high ceilings, huge windows, spacious rooms
-luxury very high end finish similar to a 5* hotel, very much our style.
-‘Good’ local school

BUT

Maintenance fees of £1700 a year, slightly further from family moving from Surrey to Hampshire, no garden!!!

There may be plots next year with small gardens, we’re not in a rush. It’s generally just not practical. We could easily afford the 2 beds. The 3 beds are same price of a house. But a house would take £££££’s to get to that standard. Please talk us out of this ridiculous idea.

Those maintenance fees can go up and there's nothing you can do about it.

Life would be SO much easier for you all with a garden. Think how sick you'd be of going to the park twice a day! Think of BBQs and parties outside - those would be impossible in a place like that.

They sound like lovely apartments but tbh after lockdown I think they'll struggle to sell - everyone wants outdoor space now.

Yes I think they do need a garden if poss and being tied into £1,700 fees is insane. If one of you loses your job, it’s a lot to find every month on top of the mortgage.
You are being blinded by the finish.. you can get that finish in your own in another house if you take your time

We need a link to properly judge 😂😁

What do the maintenance fees include?
It’s pretty standard for many flats in cities, and tbh you just factor it in twice yearly.
However, ours haven’t rocketed up over the years.
I know some, in more historical buildings, are now astronomical. So it’s definitely something to be cautious of, and ask about.
I’d want some outside space too.

new build with loads of character and history.
This would seem to be an oxymoron. Do you have a link?

If you can afford something with a garden then get something with a garden. Without a shadow of a doubt.

The lack of garden will get harder and harder as the kids get older, IMO

I’m guessing it’s an old building completely refurbished and turned into flats?

Don’t do it, the shine will soon wear off.

A garden is extra living space for much of the year, more so with children.
I would think of a flat as a temporary option for single people who couldn't afford a proper house.

I would 100% hold out for a house with some outdoor space. If you can afford a place with outdoor space and you have children then I personally think it’s a no brained. We had a tiny postage stamp garden when our 3 were 6 and under and it was great, just enough space for a swing, a trike and a paddling pool.

Two kids = a garden is more important than anything else in the world. The fees are ridiculous but not as crazy as no outside space for two kids.

Step away from the the totally inappropriate property now.

I think we need a link!

If you take away the finish, what does it offer that somewhere else wouldn't?What about bikes/scooters/snow sledges/space for Christmas decorations? You sound swayed by the finish, which is totally understandable but achievable somewhere else - although maybe not instantly.

TBH some of it depends on lifestyle, I know a family who live in a smallish flat but they go away a lot. Camping/caravanning every other weekend, long summer holidays so they are less bothered about space at home than a family who travel less.

Honestly, OP, garden aside -- with two children under two, a 'luxury high-end' finish 'similar to a 5 star hotel' sounds a bit silly as a priority. Two of the four people in the household don't give a shiny shite about high-end light-fittings, and in fact will be actively set on destroying any resemblance to a luxury hotel. Choose somewhere more suitable for all of you.

Definitely need a link!

HOW much maintenance / management? Does this then absolve you of ALL extra costs such as contribution to new roof / external paint and repairs etc etc?

That's £17k over 10 years. If it stays the same.

Is it worth it? Can you afford it?

If yes, it comes down to the lack of garden and extra travel time to see family.

But presumably you had a reason to be looking further away?

Honestly, the garden is a key issue. They are just coming up to the age where it starts to become ever more important. And that lasts until the retreat to their bedrooms with the curtains closed for the teen years. Move into such an apartment then,

Wait for a garden 100%
What storage does it have? As pp Christmas stuff, bikes, suitcases
Maintenance will go up and from experience within the family it’s a hell of a waste of money.
Would it be easy to sell on when you want a house?

I’d like to see it tho

The garden is the most important part of our home for the children. They are in it, most of the time.

Also to add, you’d have a washing line in the garden!
4 people’s washing, bedding, towels!

Does the flat come with a share of the freehold?
that's the only situation in which I would consider a flat

Don’t do it.

There - that should do the trick!

Seriously though. Don’t. Not unless you have unlimited funds for the maintenance fees.

A colleague looked at a turret apartment. Fell in love. Did some research and found that although the fees were creeping steadily, it was manageable.

A few years later, the main house required repairs to the roof and all apartments were liable. And the maintenance fees have rocketed.

What was a loved apartment has become a millstone.

Be canny.

@Frogcorset

Honestly, OP, garden aside -- with two children under two, a 'luxury high-end' finish 'similar to a 5 star hotel' sounds a bit silly as a priority. Two of the four people in the household don't give a shiny shite about high-end light-fittings, and in fact will be actively set on destroying any resemblance to a luxury hotel. Choose somewhere more suitable for all of you.

What @Frogcorset said

I wouldn’t ever buy anything without outside space. And any kind of apartment with kids guarantees noise complaints and bad neighbour relations.
There’s not a chance in hell I’d do that to myself willingly.

With 2 under 2 you absolutely should hold out for a garden. I think maybe you are still too close to your pre-child life to fully imagine how much you will appreciate it.

I bought the posh apartment and children had flown. Hated it had to sell , sitting now in my ugly 60 ‘s semi with a lovely south facing garden .washing on the line. French doors open from lounge, so in and out all day. Sheer bliss . Don’t do it you will lose money as I did . I have a pergola when I want shade, outside dining table, a fire pit. Was sat out reading with a glass of pimms till 10 last night. No high ceiling can match that

I love flats. Really love them. As soon as my teenagers are out of the best I’m buying a gorgeous apartment.

But you’ll all grow out of a 2-bed flat reallllllllllly fast. When your kids are aged 2-11, you’ll need outside space.

I also wouldn’t buy a high-end, glossy place with little kids. I’d spend my life running round with Flash wipes and a stressed look.