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Original poster

Moving from a flat to another (bigger) flat- madness?

62 replies

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 13:42

House hunting and struggling to find a house for a family of 4 (twin toddlers) that's within our price range. We're currently in a decent sized flat but have clearly outgrown it and it doesn't seem fit for purpose anymore (no onsite parking or private garden). Since we're struggling to find houses (they tend to sell for way over asking hours/a day or two after coming on the market), I'm wondering if it might be worth buying another flat but with garden and parking? A sideways move if you will and then carrying on saving for a bigger deposit and moving again to a bigger property in a few years time? Is that a good idea? My husband thinks it's madness but it's either that or move out, rent the flat out and rent somewhere bigger and carry on saving for a bigger place. I refuse to move out of the area (I don't drive, live minutes from a tube station and have brilliant links to where I need to go) so that's out of the question.

OP posts:

Lastqueenofscotland · 28/02/2022 13:57

Moving is SO expensive so I’d shelve any plans that involve moving frequently. Solicitors cost, stamp duty, surveys, removals can easily add up to several thousands.
House prices are rising faster than the prices of flats too so you’d maybe just find yourself completely left behind by the market. The reality of the situation is what you want you can’t afford! So if you want a house it may be that you have to to some extent compromise on location.

friendlycat · 28/02/2022 14:24

I would compromise on location to get the house otherwise it’s just a costly sideways move. I agree that houses increase at a faster rate than flats and you could get priced out of the market.

Whilst you don’t currently drive could this be a plan to learn for the future?

emmathedilemma · 28/02/2022 16:04

Realistically twin toddlers could be ok sharing a bedroom for a number of years yet. If you can get a 2bed ground floor flat with parking and access to a garden that sounds like a sensible move to me. Plenty of people live in flats with kids, it's only the UK that seems to have an obsession with needing to live in a house!

Original poster

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 16:35

Tbh, I'd love a house and the rising prices of houses vs flats really does worry me but I think location, location over space? I could live to regret this but I don't want to move from where we are- we're in a fab place for primary and secondary schools, there's so much to do with little ones and the city is 28 mins away by train. Yes it's expensive but I'm willing to make a few sacrifices to stay where we are. Our current choices are:

A) Sell our flat and rent elsewhere until we've got enough of a deposit together (two more years) to afford somewhere bigger where we are

B) buy another flat with more space (for me), parking (for husband), garden (twins)

C) not to sell current flat, save here but then our flat could be worth less?

D) move out of the area for an actual house which will be the same as our current flat but will be freehold so we could add value to it by extending, renovating, etc.

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Original poster

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 16:36

Plus I don't want to move from here- I've built up an identity here. I know so many mum friends, my children attend local classes, etc. and it feels 'safe'.

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Original poster

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 16:38

FWIW: flats here range from £425-£775 (we're at the lower end)! Decent houses where we are now start from £730K- £1M plus.

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RedWingBoots · 28/02/2022 16:43

It would be far cheaper to work out how you can live in your flat now e.g. ruthless with getting rid of stuff, clever storage, and then saving until you can afford the house you want. You would be able to save more money in your cheaper flat.

The only reason to move to another flat would be because the next flat is the one you want to live in long term.

Also why would your flat be worth less?

StillTryingtoBuy · 28/02/2022 16:44

Will you be able to afford a house where you want one in two years? If you think you’re still going to be priced out in two years time there’s an argument for picking a new area and moving and putting down roots now if you could get the house you want?

Or make a move to a bigger flat but without the expectation that you’ll definitely move again in the same area…go for a bigger flat that better suits your needs but make sure you’d be happy there long term if the location is your top priority and you’re not going to leave.

I’ve been in your shoes, we really didn’t want to leave our area but struggled to find anything in budget. In the end we bought a doer upper and are living in it now with two small kids, not ideal but we have the space and location we want and won’t have to move again any time soon. Ex LA houses in your area, might they be more affordable?

StillTryingtoBuy · 28/02/2022 16:48

Alternatively stay put, spend a bit on storage maybe? I wouldn’t move to another flat with the intention of it being a short term move, basically.

axolotlfloof · 28/02/2022 16:53

Have you looked at places further out with houses you can afford?
We moved when kids were small and they loved the garden. We were happy where we were but had to change location to afford house with a decent garden.
We don't regret it.
It's easier to move now than once they start school.

CuteOrangeElephant · 28/02/2022 16:55

I'd go for a flat if it meets all your needs. Why would you not do it?

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 28/02/2022 16:57

Would you not consider living in a flat long term? I love horizontal living ( have a house now ) but lived in glorious flats before that I would have been happy to have bought and lived a long long time in.

Think Paris, Barcelona, London, Edinburgh...gorgeous gorgeous architecture.

CafeCremeMerci · 28/02/2022 17:02

Tough isn't it!

I'm in a flat, no garden, crazy communal parking situation. It was supposed to be a flip several years ago, but life happened (bereavements, covid, injury & illness) & Im still here (on my own). The price jump from a flat to a house is huge & Im not moving to only get a part of what I need (just the garden or just the driveway or just more space)

I live in an expensive area, but to move anywhere less expensive is quite a distance and due to my job I can't do that (it's not just commuting)

I can't see the point in moving somewhere 'in between' as it's too expensive moving. BUT I'm older than you & the move is for me alone.

In your situation something is going to have to 'give'...

You say the 'more space' is for you, what do you need the space for?

Husband thinks an interim move is madness, so presumably he's going to suck up the parking issue.

Garden. I totally get your POV and I'm ready to slap the next person that says 'well you have a park just down the road'. Well yes I do, but I'm not traipsing down there in my OH's to have my morning coffee, nor peg my washing out! I want my own garden!!!

People have suggested renting mine out & renting a house, but that's just dead money. It's (understandably) much more expensive to rent a house than how much I'd get for my flat!

If you could get more space, parking & a garden, the only downside is it being a flat rather than a house, I'd seriously consider it in your situation. However, only as long as you can keep saving for a deposit on a house or else you'll have to stay in the flat long term with the way they don't increase in price inline with houses.

We should BOTH sell now while it's a sellers market & hope something suitable comes up. I think I'm going to regret not doing that.

It sounds like things are coming up where you are, so have you spoken to all the Estate Agents & told them what you're looking for? You can get in before they hit online listing! Especially if you've sold!!

Your location sounds fabulous, I'd only consider changing location if you can move to a tube station along the same line, just a bit further out.

I moved out of London to buy, can't afford to move back now

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 28/02/2022 17:04

We are raising a family in a flat. It's very large, no service charges (very common for this style of flat in this area), and will suit our 2 adult, 2 child family.

Twiglets1 · 28/02/2022 17:08

I don’t see what’s crazy about buying a bigger flat if you can’t afford a house. Though I would look for 3 beds so the twins can have their own bedroom even if one of the bedrooms is tiny

Jmaho · 28/02/2022 17:14

Why does a bigger flat with garden and parking have to be a short term thing? If it's big enough and has outdoor space then why couldn't you live there for years and years? Plenty of people live in flats forever, especially in London. It's not like your children are going to go to school and all their friends are living in huge £2 million houses. If you love the location I would stay there and just move to a larger flat

Original poster

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 17:20

Just to clarify short-term= 5-8 years so children can attend local outstanding school and we still remain in the catchment for the outstanding secondaries. A sideways move into another flat would allow us to continue saving for a house.

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Original poster

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 17:22

@Jmaho

The kids at the local primary live in £1.5M houses with swimming pools! Just not us! Our mortgage affordability is quite generous. We just don't have the deposit to hand to hand to reach the max mortgage allowance. Area is key for me. Moving away fills me with dread and anxiety.

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 28/02/2022 17:32

If you spend the next two years living as frugally as possible in the current home, what would the effect be on your deposit?

Luredbyapomegranate · 28/02/2022 17:38

you just have to do the sums - would you make money out of owning a bigger flat for 2 years ? How much will the house you want cost in 2 years. If so how much extra for the deposit will it give you vs how much will it cost to move + how much you could save if you stay where you are.

You seem to be in an emotional rather than intellectual place with this - if you step back you’ll get further. I would do some research, get some figures, ask estate agents for their predictions.. rather than have a he thinks/she thinks debate with your partner.

Don’t ignore the question of whether you can afford the house you think you want in 2 years, because it may be that long term you have to choose between a garden flat in the area you want vs a house further out. If it does look like that remember there may be areas further out - eg SE London that will still give you the vibe and London feel you want.

daisypond · 28/02/2022 17:40

If you’re in London, I would aim for the bigger flat in the right area. Flats are normal in London for families. Yes, some will be in houses, but they will be a minority. A decent flat will have more useable space than a house with space wasted with landings and stairs.

emmathedilemma · 28/02/2022 18:43

Location location location! I'd move to a bigger flat that has garden and parking in the area you love. I don't see how renting would enable you to save towards a bigger property as rent is often more than mortgage repayments and you wouldn't have a property accumulating equity. It seems a bit like you're putting too much emphasis on comparing yourselves to what other people live in.

Embracelife · 28/02/2022 18:46

Bigger flat with garden, good local support is valuable

allfurcoatnoknickers · 28/02/2022 18:56

We did big (1,200 sq ft) garden flat in amazing area. No regrets. It's 2 bed, 2 bath and a loft and it's fine for us (1 DS, but we'll hopefully have another).

Some of my parent friends live in massive townhouses, but it doesn't bother me at all.

Original poster

mussinboots · 28/02/2022 19:10

Okay so to give an example, this is our flat layout: estate agent valuation £425-440k

Moving from a flat to another (bigger) flat- madness?

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