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.

That was uncalled for.

@HareofEasttown

No garden and you have kids?

I grew up in a flat with no garden- I turned out alright and with a love of the outdoors; we went to local parks and beaches etc instead.

OP, that said I think this sounds like the home you should downsize to when your kids are grown- flats are noisy and so are children!

Personally I like a little outside space even if a balcony - but when DS was young some people weren't fussed about that if you could walk to a park. DS grew up with us never having had a lawn - I know some people will think that is wrong but he could go outside and to my horror - pick up snails. So we have only had small patio gardens . But we did live near a park.

I think either having a decent sized garden for cricket and football - or just somewhere to sit in the fresh air ( Oh & btw given our tiny patio was miniscule , I could get a tiny paddling pool in it - & a hose ) did the job - he (DS) knew of nothing else )

Everyone's choice

All best to all

Imagine when the kids want a paddling pool in summer ! And those fees are high !

I say hang on because I had to move from a house to a flat after my divorce. I miss the garden and my dc are teens and they miss the garden. Its just that little bit of outside space that is yours especially on sunny days.

One more point - do not underestimate how little outside space you need ( if you have access to a bigger space ) one small child with a hose or a watering can can make you laugh your socks off. And the child .

An elderly friend and I went to see a concierge-serviced quality new-build flat in 2008 as she planned to buy there as a downsize in the future. It was priced at £225k. The annual service charge was to be about £6k.
As it happened she got to buy the immaculate same flat in 2013 for £140k. (Service charge was about £6k). In 2018 she sold it for £185k.
My understanding is that new flats are very pricey and can drop a lot when they become pre-owned, particularly if there is a high annual service charge.
If you need a house with a garden, buy that for its practicality for your family, but it is your choice in the end as we are all advising blind in your case.