Which of these two properties?

[newyearnewshe]

Just looking for a few different ways to think about this "dilemma". DH and I have decided to move our family to a new area in London (me, DH and dd aged 19 months, hoping for another baby in next 2 years). We will be moving from a high rise in a very built up area to an area in london with a lot of green spaces and family vibe.

We are looking for 3 bed flats and there is very little available at present, though this might charge of course. We will be renting as we are letting our current apartment out. We have found two rental properties both very different. One is in an amazing location, right next to one of the best parks in London, within 5 mins walk of lovely villages shops and a station. It is a lovely light filled flat with lots of character. However it is a conversion over two floors with an extremely small kitchen (smaller than we have now) with what looks like a rubbish washer dryer. There are two reception rooms so we could covert one into a dining room and include storage of some kitchen items in there but it's not ideal. Also being split level and period property it's not super practical for our toddler and future baby. But the location is second to none.

The other is a new build one level 3 bed with a spacious kitchen diner, smooth floors and all new fittings and plenty if space. However it's not in the location we would want. To reach the park or green spaces we would have to walk along and cross a busy road with a lot of fumes and not very nice shops. At night walking back from the station it's a bit of a dubious walk along a path or take a longer route and stick to the very busy main road.

If we were buying I'd buy the first one and knock a wall down and make it more practical. But as we are renting we are limited on how much we can do to it to make it suit us.

Which one would you choose?

First - location is so important
Get a baby gate and agree maybe some storage in the dining area - I would go sideboard with plates, glasses, bottles etc that you will mostly use in there

Will you be staying for long enough for primary school places to be an issue? Any difference in catchment areas for that?

Location.

@SimonedeBeauvoirscat good question. Yes we would be. There are excellent schools in both areas but the ones near property 1 are in a lovely setting with a lovely walk home, whereas for property 2 we would be crossing the main road.

That's a really important thing to think about! It's helpful to imagine that.

As a first time mum I've found I'm not very good at thinking ahead or imagining how our lives will look!

I would wait for property 3 to come along…

Of the two I would go for No - 1. I managed in a rented flat with little kitchen - but as you say can put some things in the dining room. Also people do bring up small children and babies with places with stairs - it can work. If the location is much better that is what I would go for and probably when you move in - using the dining room - necessity can be the mother of invention.

Good luck though

I would go for the period property with the small kitchen

Hmm I think I too would go for the first place you mention, as long as there’s no big difference in school opportunities.

I'd hold out for property 3
If desperate property 1 with a lot of stairgates and good storage

Could you get a large sideboard for the dining room? Would store all your crockery and kitchenware, and you could even have a kettle and teabags etc on the top/counter bit. That would free up some kitchen space.

Of the two you describe, the first one. However, I agree that you need to find property 3. I think location is the most important thing.

Is there much of a price difference between the two? If you’re renting then I’d pick the cheapest, quite honestly, and save the money towards your next bought place. Having to walk past some scruffy shops or along a main road on your way home isn’t the end of the world, if it’s money in your bank account.

If they’re the same price then one sounds like it’s the one you really want. You soon get used to living on two levels - people in houses do it, after all.

Do either have access to outside space?

Period property in brilliant location!! Definitely make use of the space in the dining room for loads if your kitchen stuff, make your kitchen easy & nice to use.

Stair gates top & bottom of stairs & teach your Dd to go up & down safely (down on her bum!) hopefully by the time you have DC 2 she'll be fine on the stairs.

Nosy question - why aren't you selling & buying?

I'd either wait for another to come up or go for property 1. Location along with having two reception rooms would be good with kids. Most family homes have stairs and a small kitchen isn't ideal but you're not there forever.

Property 1 or keep looking (but I think it sounds pretty good).

The first one. Why is the rubbish washer dryer a consideration?

Feeling a bit anxious about the lack of storage now I think about it! Property 1 has zero cupboards or storage spaces. We are lucky to have a large cupboard in our current flat where we store the vacuum, ironing board, Xmas decorations, travel cot, camping tent, coats, boots, umbrella, bags, suitcases and so on. Where on earth do people store this stuff without a single cupboard?!

@MerryChristmas21 we can't afford a family home in the new area, but we know that in 2-3 years we will be able to afford it because of our earnings, pay scale / pay rise, bonuses etc. The rental income on our inner city place will more than cover rent on the new place. We could sit tight in our current flat but would have to enrol DD in a school we don't want. Also, after lockdown we just want our new life near the green spaces to start asap! After all dd will only be little once.

@Iamanicepersonreally

The first one. Why is the rubbish washer dryer a consideration?

Because it could be a PITA for dd washable nappies and laundry generally.

@SoupDragon

Of the two you describe, the first one. However, I agree that you need to find property 3. I think location is the most important thing.

Yeah thanks, I think we should hold out for another one to come on the market!

@newyearnewsheIf If you cannot find another flat as good for storage reasons ( by which I mean things like camping equipment etc ) you could probably find a tiny lockup storage thing for about £20 a month to put Christmas Decorations , camping stuff , suitcases ) - For what you want to achieve - which I would think the nicest place near to a good school ) not worth forgoing it for massive cupboards for things you may only use once or twice a year. Said from experience If you can get ironing board clothes etc somewhere half decent - even if put in the hall or tucked neatly somewhere - if temporary I would go for No. 1

Best of luck

The first, just buy a good washer drier you can take with you.

Oh the no storage is more of a worry. Could you get the landlords to build cupboards into the dining room? If not, I would actually hold on - except if it’s going to mess up your daughters school, in which case you’ll cope.

The washer / dryer should not figure in your deliberations. They are easily replaced. And would the current owner not take it with them when they move out?