Completely Torn

[ImInStealthMode]

Outside opinions needed please! DP and I have just been to view a 2 bedroom flat.

Comfortably within budget, absolutely beautifully presented, brand new kitchen and bathroom, lots of little pros such as top floor, shared with only one neighbour but no shared internal walls (very rare in an apartment!!) absolutely masses of storage space, outlook over a wooded hillside behind the building, visitor parking.

BUT it has no outside space at all, aside from a Juliet balcony on the lounge. Where we are now (1 bedroom we're selling) we have a communal garden space and communal washing line area. We don't use either particularly frequently but nice to have on occasion to sit and read a book when we can't be bothered going 'out' or to dry bedding on a nice day. We also have nice seafront or woodland walks from our front door, whereas the new one is in a bit more of an urban area (albeit only about a mile away).

If the one we'd viewed had so much as a tiny balcony or a shared garden it would be a 100% yes from me but as it is I'm absolutely torn.

With the speed the market moves here we'd have to offer today to be in with a chance. Any thoughts, or things I might not have considered?

We have previously compromised on outdoor space and had managed to convince ourselves it would be fine.

It was ok, but a garden was the number one priority for our upcoming move. It wasn't until we didn't have it that we realised how much we wanted it IYSWIM?

I absolutely do see what you mean. The dream would be to have a balcony or a terrace that's 'ours' and we could walk straight out of the door into, but finding that AND a decent amount of indoor space / storage / nice area / doesn't need pulling down and starting again in our budget is a tough call.

I think it depends how likely you are to find another place within budget which has all the important things you’ve listed in your last post and outdoor space. We have a garden, and I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve stepped foot in it since September. Sure, it’s lovely to have it there, but in future I wouldn’t prioritise having a garden over location or indoor space.

Personally I could not live somewhere with no outside space.

In the height of the Summer it's just soul destroying.

You are already hesitating about this and it will be very off putting when you come to sell later down the line. It may be beautifully presented with a new kitchen and bathroom now (and these things can always be done) but you can never ever create outside space when there is none.

Thanks both for your comments. We've both lived in lots of places with no outside space and it's always 'been ok' but I need to remind myself that this is supposed to be a move UP, not just in size but in lifestyle.

We live in a place with generally beautiful summers. We want to be able to sit out with a glass of wine in the evening, or even BBQ if we were lucky enough to have enough space.

Also need to remind myself that we can add the beautiful kitchen, new bathroom, great lighting to anywhere...

Although the balcony is tiny, could you open up the doors and sit so you are part inside, part out?
Which way does it face? Could you sit with the doors open and read a book and feel sun on your face?

We had a good think and have told them it's not for us.

We have been looking at property quite a bit under what we could spend if we were to spread ourselves thinner, so now need to sit down and look at upping the budget to better tick our boxes.